How to prevent the growth of milia seeds?
Monday, 11 February 2008
An irritating and somewhat ugly milia seed has grown on my right eyelid and it was such an eyesore. Was, because I finally had it removed yesterday. Before I share with you how I got rid of it, let me first discuss what is a milia seed and how I got one growing my eyelid. More importantly, I’ll also discuss how we can possibly prevent milia seeds from growing around our eye area.
According to information obtained from the National Skin Centre in Singapore, milia seeds are white or yellowish white skin growths often seen on the eyelids or temple. Sometimes referred to as superficial keratinous cysts and are also called oil seeds by some, most of them are small, hard and resemble millet seeds, but newly formed ones can be soft and look like a pimple without an opening.
Although the experts have said that milia seeds represent obstructed sweat ducts and hence are not caused by rich creams, I tend to think otherwise. Based on my experience, rich eye cream do cause the growth of milia seeds around the eyes and I believe this is because the cream is too rich to be fully absorbed and hence clogging up the sweat ducts. However, having said that, I also want to qualify that for some people, the growth of milia seeds could be due to genetic reasons and has nothing to do with the products they use. In addition, milia seeds can also grow on other parts of the face, apart from the eyelids but it’s usually the eyelids that has the most due to the skin texture.
So how can we prevent milia seeds from growing around our eyelids or eye area?
First and foremost, check your eye cream. The skin around our eye region is really delicate. I would never recommend that you use your normal facial moisturizer on your eye area. It could be too rich. Even for eye creams, you got to check that it is not overly emollient that it cannot be absorbed into your skin quickly. I made the mistake many years ago of getting one eye cream that was too rich and end up with some tiny seeds below my eyes. Fortunately, I discovered in time and stopped using the eye cream. Since then, I’ve been very very careful about what I apply around my eye area.
You should be using an eye cream that is light enough to penetrate easily into your eye area. If you think your eye cream is too rich, switch to an eye gel instead. Unlike eye creams which are more nourishing, eye gels are usually cooler and created to reduce dark circles, puffiness and tiredness. They are in fact most suitable to be used during the day when our eye area tend to accumulate more sweat and dirt. You can actually keep your eye cream for the night since we tend to perspire less in the night when sleeping.
And very important, don’t use oil around your eye area. I’m quite certain the milia seed on my right eyelid was a result of my application of rose hip oil around the area. Although the instructions said the oil can be applied on the entire face, you’re best steering it clear from your eye area. The oil may not be so fine to be absorbed well and as a result, causing the growth of milia seeds. So now, when applying my rose hip oil, I make sure I do not apply around the eye area at all. Hence, be careful what you apply around your eye area. Your oil cleanser and eye makeup remover could be too oily too!
So how did I finally had that irritating milia seed on my right eyelid removed without leaving any scarring? I could have gone for a laser treatment but I didn’t. I could have approached a beauty therapist to remove it for me but I didn’t. Well, I actually removed it on my own with the sharp end of a needle. That’s how the beauty therapists do it anyway but it’s not something I’ll recommend anyone to do it unless you’re really confident and comfortable about it. Moreoever, my milia seed was newly formed and had not hardened.
But if you have milia seeds on your eye area that has hardened somewhat, I would suggest that you consult a dermatologist or seek professional assistance to remove them through treatments including application of special medication or surface laser.
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February 12th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I know exactly what you mean by this story. I had one & removed mine yesterday as well except I used a pair of tweezers to remove mine. They are irritating, & most of all just plain ugly. I truthfully think some people are more subject to them than others. I’m fighting them every step of the way. If anyone has any other tips for getting rid of them I’m all ears.
Kimberly: You used tweezers too? I know there are creams to eliminate these but I’m not sure if they need to be prescribed.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
i’ve grown a few, but ummm…i usually just squeeze them out or use a tweezer. i think it’s painful, but my threshold for pain quite high…and it’s kinda ‘fun’ squeezing them out whether they’re soft or hard! heehehe.
imp: Tweezer? Wow, I’ve heard of that but I was thinking it may leave scarring if one is not careful…
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 24th, 2008 at 6:55 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 24th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 24th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 24th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I’ve had some milias under my eyes (like an inch under them) and they never go away on their own! I finally successfully squeezed one and it’s finally gone (after leaving a red dot for a week). I agree that they are probably caused my rich eye creams. I’ve also heard they are related to high cholesterol, which I do have.
I’ve never had them on my eyelid, but I’ve had little bumps on my eyelash. I’m not sure if that’s the same thing (it has another name), but I don’t think it’s milia. I got that from switching to either a new eye makeup remover, or a new contact lens solution. I stopped using both, and it went away. I also put hot water compresses on my eyes to try to pop the things!
Jeni: High cholesterol too? Hmmm…that’s interesting info. I think I know the bumps you’re talking about. I get it in between my brows or on my nose bridge sometimes…
February 24th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
My eye doctor told me years ago to wash the eye area with baby shampoo since it is gentle and does burn the eyes.
Laura: That’s interesting. I know of someone who uses baby oil to cleanse the eye makeup too.
February 24th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
my skin doctor once told me that the way to get rid of stubborn milia would be to burn them.that’s frightened me, kinda.
Clara: Yes, I heard of that one! But I wonder if the burning would be equivalent to a laser…I’ve read of pple who got theirs burnt and they said it was painful and need a few days to heal.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:27 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 2:46 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 9:05 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
February 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
hey- i used to get those annoying things too, around the lower region of my undereye, closer to the temple. the beautician told me to always apply eye cream first, and make sure its smoothed out lower to where the seeds tend to appear. she reckoned they were caused by me applying my moisturiser too close to my eye, so by applying the eye cream first, you create a barrier between the skin and the too-rich face moisturiser.
it worked!
Sal: Hey, that’s an excellent tip! Thanks for sharing! I do that too but I didn’t realize that it helps create a barrier. I still try to avoid as far as possible.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:10 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
March 21st, 2008 at 5:39 am
i have those too! milia around the eyes. i used to go to a dermatologist and he uses a small blade to nip open the small bumps then uses a silver metal tool to squeeze it out. professional fee’s quite expensive tho so I just go to my mom’s salon and have our facial attendant clear the bumps. she uses a surgical disposable needle (c/o mercury drug) to make a very tiny opening then uses a metal squeezer afterwards.. it doesnt hurt much and it never does leave a scar. some facial salons do not offer this service tho.. i dont know why
Pottytit: I guess it depends on the skills of the therapist. Some facial salons may not have that area of expertise.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:08 am
[...] Viva Woman looks at how to prevent the growth of milia seeds around the eyes. [...]
May 27th, 2008 at 7:41 am
[...] isn’t oily, I don’t intend to use it daily because I’m worried about developing milia seeds since it contains pore clogging ingredient. [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
…you could say i just had a really bad break-out of milia
but i’ve always had it. (around my eye area). What makes it worse is that i have medicated lotion i have to use and have no choice or my entire face/body will break down. But lately i had the breakout because i used this very rich lotion with this very harsh ingredient. I stopped immediately and took my needle out and jabbed them all milia to a rubbish bin death. (well…the most i could get…my face was practically twitching with pain). So, advice if you want to prevent Milia: Gently- i stress GENTLY, exfoliate the skin now and then- not excessively and not varying in many days. Don’t use harsh sunscreen- pick the ones with the less chemical ingerdients- also try to avoid long exsposure to sunlight. No strong creams around eye area- if eye cream, always apply gently. If you see some whitesh thing poppin’ up and it looks like Milia…and you know it to be milia…i say operation needle and kill!!!!!! so…just reading the posts, theres a cream for this??([possibly??)
i hoped that helps. Milia is a baddy.
miki: You have some good advice there on preventing milia seeds. But I’m sorry to learn that you have a problem with them consistently. Yes, I read that some docs prescribe creams for this but again, I’ve never used them so am not sure if they work at all.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Guess I’m too chicken to stab my milia. Won’t that hurt ALOT? I’ve noticed some milia looking bumps (skin colour, not white)growing on the face near the eye area, closer to the temple, in my 30’s. According to the derm, they’re due to ageing and sun exposure and NOT skin care products. I ruled out sun exposure cos I’ve been using sunscreens and blocks since my late teens. The good doc said treatment is by way of zapping (about S$500 done at the restructured hospital). So if the milia and bumps get too noticeable, I may just get them singed. In any case, next time I see the derm, will ask him about the milia-removing cream.
flym: $500! Wa, I’ll stab it myself. No, it didn’t hurt but could be because mine was a new one. I think I know what you mean by the skin bumps. I’m having it too, above my nose and for this, I can’t do much. Tried to scratch it away but it’s there. Seems like a common thing with many women.