Tiny white bumps?
Get to know milia.

Small, firm bumps around the eyes or cheeks may be milia. A skin check can help you decide whether to leave them alone or consider careful removal.

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Illustrative portrait of a woman with a few tiny pearly-white milia on her upper cheek.

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What are milia?

A small cyst containing keratin just beneath the skin surface.

Milia are tiny cysts filled with keratin, a protein normally found in skin. They often look like firm white or cream-coloured bumps just below the surface.

They are usually harmless and do not have to be removed. Unlike an acne whitehead, a milium is a small enclosed cyst; squeezing it may injure the surrounding skin.

Small bumps can have different causes.

A cheek and eye area with several small white milia below the outer eye.

01
Common locations
Milia often appear on the cheeks and eyelids, but can occur elsewhere. They may be isolated or grouped together.
02
A link to healing skin
Some develop without an obvious trigger; others appear after a blistering rash, injury or skin procedure. Mention recent changes and products during assessment.
03
Check an unusual bump
Pain, redness, discharge, bleeding or rapid change is a reason to get examined. Other eyelid growths can resemble milia.

Leave them or treat them?

Observation

Some milia clear naturally, while others stay longer. If they are confirmed and do not bother you, observation is a reasonable choice.

A professional instrument opening the surface of a keratin cyst in a simplified skin diagram.

Professional extraction

A trained clinician may make a small sterile opening and release the contents. The site and number of bumps determine whether this is suitable.

A prescribed topical treatment and a written plan.

Care for recurring or widespread milia

Selected cases may benefit from a prescribed topical treatment or another procedure. Strong exfoliation is not a routine answer for delicate eyelid skin.

YOUR CARE PLAN

What happens at your visit?

STEP 01

Confirm the type of bump

Look at the skin
Your clinician checks the size, location and appearance and asks when the bumps started.
Discuss your preference
You can choose observation if treatment is not needed. Tell the team about recent procedures, medicines and sensitive skin.

The eye and cheek area where milia often occur.

STEP 02

Choose a careful approach

Understand the method
If removal is appropriate, the clinician explains the technique, comfort measures and possible marks.
Protect the eye area
Eyelid treatment needs specific precautions. Do not attempt extraction with a needle or blade at home.

A small professional opening of the cyst surface.

STEP 03

Let the skin settle

Keep the routine gentle
Follow the cleaning and skincare advice. Ask when to restart makeup or active products on a treated area.
Review if needed
Contact the team if the area becomes increasingly sore or inflamed, or if you have concerns about new bumps.

Be gentle with the area.

A gentle moisturiser and protective shield.

01
Avoid picking and hard scrubs
Forceful squeezing or repeated exfoliation may leave irritation, infection or a mark, especially around the eyes.
02
Review products thoughtfully
Bring your skincare list if bumps keep appearing. A clinician can help simplify products without assuming one cream is always the cause.
03
Allow for normal healing
After removal, a tiny crust, redness or temporary colour change may occur. Ask about expected healing and protect the area as advised.

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IN OUR PATIENTS’ WORDS

Consultation experiences.

Verified Google review excerpts about consultations and explanations at Layers. The condition is not specified; these are not milia-removal results.

DOONDI NEERAJ19Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

★★★★★

“The doctors listened carefully to my concerns and explained the treatment in a clear and professional manner.”