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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Posted in Beauty, Eyes | 48 Comments »
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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.
October 13th, 2008 at 11:22 am
[...] wore off. Perhaps it is due to the ambivalence after I found out that it caused the growth of a milia seed on my eye or because I couldn’t mix it with my other skin care products since it’s a [...]
December 4th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Hello all. I have them too… and more than one… i describe it as chicken skin under the eyes. After must research I have read some people who found a cream that supposedly works. It’s called Yonka Phyto Contour cream. Also someone else suggested to incorporate more citrus in your diet so the acid will break down the dairy and level out the bodies Ph.
The cream I have found costs $42.00 though someone said they found it for 27.00 i have yet to find that store.
Christopher: Hey thanks for the info. It’s funny you call it chicken skin. I have something of this skin on my arms and they look like goose bums.
December 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
[...] I am about to share today is contradicting what I’ve highlighted in my earlier entry about milia seeds. In the entry, I mentioned that I had developed a milia seed after using Rose Hip Oil around my [...]
December 31st, 2008 at 11:55 pm
hi there. thanks for the good info & advice on milia seeds. would like to ask u, can milia seeds caused by baby oil? sometimes i use baby oil to remove make up around my eyes. afraid that it would cause it.
wynn: It really depends on the individual. I know some gals use baby oil without any problems. Years ago, I used that too and it was okay. I suppose baby oil isn’t too rich and if you cleanse it well afterwards, it should not pose too much problems. On a related note, I recently rediscover the usage of oil for my eyes (yes, even though I say it’s not good here) but I realized it really depends on the oil and how it is used. You may want to read my entry about it here.
March 19th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
hi there,
any recommendation for eye gel that is best for dark circles, puffiness, prevent from milia & etc?
what are the ingredients that we should prevent from using in order to prevent from milia?
btw, im planning to get “seakelp brightening eye mask & milk brightening eye mask”. according to the seller, the eye masks help to smoothen crow’s feet, black eye circle and smoothen pouch.
“from the helps on absorption of the milk essence, aids in aggravating the growth of Collagen which helps in fading wrinkles, allowing the area around the eyes region to be tight and supple. Increase elasticity, prevents dryness, anti-dark circles and anti wrinkles. Fades dark eye bag, increase metabolism and fights against fine lines effectively”.
whats your opinion? any advice?
March 25th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Some good advice. I actually have milia seeds on my nose and a light one near my left eye (though not noticeable). Some said to sterilize a needle, poke a hole and then either squeeze or exfoliate the area. I haven’t tried it yet, but I might do that since its on my nose and not near my eyes. Nice article dear.
Dee: Thanks! I’m glad the info is useful to you. But be careful if you intend to remove on your own. I treat my skin quite badly sometimes…if I want to get rid of something I do not hesistate to poke at it, squeeze it even though I may suffer the consequences.
But I’m glad to say the milia seed went off without any scarring. Whew!
March 25th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Hello
I had milia on my face in my twinties after using one of the expensive lotions. I had to go to a dermatolo. and extract them..
But after many trials on lotions I discovered olay lotion complete with spf 15 for normal skin, and since then, I never had any milia except when I switched to olay night time lotion, I had one whitehead.. so threw it away and just stuck with that day lotion, and it is really great and moisturizes very well..
But I’m yet to find a specific lotion for undeneath the eyes that can be also good for fine lines and dark circles and doesn’t cause milia.
I’m going to try reclaim products soon, I hope this will not cause any milia.
MeeMee: If it’s not rich and doesn’t contain oil clogging ingredients, then it shouldn’t cause milia seeds. For the longest time, I’ve feared using creams around my eyes and only stuck to using eye gels. But now, I’m quite comfortable using certain oils like grapeseed and evening primrose oil on the under and outer corners. I avoid applying on the inner area near the nose bridge though cos that’s where I’m nost proned to growing milia seeds. I found evening primrose to be excellent for brightening my eye area and reducing the dark circle to a certain extent.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 pm
I went to the dermatologist to zap my milia because they were getting to be very noticeable around my eyes. No matter how many times I popped them, they would come back. To my surprise, milia had spread all over my face and neck. I have been going to the doc’s office for 5 days now..to get it all zapped. My skin is sensitive, so the doctor is splitting the whole procedure over 5 days. My God I must have about 1000 red dots all over my neck and face. I guess this is what I get for “growing” milia for the past 10 years.
if you notice those bumps at other areas of your face or neck…go see a doctor asap. Get them while they are manageable.
Ariel: I wonder the milia seeds you’re growing is due to products you’re using. But you’re right. If you have too many, best to consult a dermatologist.
April 27th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I get these too! I actually used to get them on my chest and stomach due to sun damage and tanning lotion. Then I got them on my forehead from sun damage as well. So you could definitely say I’m prone. I wouldnt say these are as “seed-like” though, as the ones now appearing on my lower eyelid. Do you recommend any make up remover and facial moisturizer? I think thats what are causing my eye/forehead problems. Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Kelly: Ever try using a face oil like grapeseed oil as moisturizer? It’s quite light and works well. Not rich and would not cause this milia problem…
May 4th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I have just started getting milia at the base of my eyelash (at the hair follicle). There are two-three on each eye on the upper lid. I also have one below my left eye. Does anyone know what is recommended (safe to use) at the eye lash base?
I hesitate to go to Dermatology. Would an eye DR. be better?
Paula: Natural oil would be safest.
May 24th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I got quite a few of small milia around me eyes area. It is too painful to be poked using the needle cos it is too close to the eyes. I went to beauty salon too removed it b4. I even went for laser treatment to burn it. It still grows back. Sigh. Any good remedy?
sesame Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
It maybe the products you’re using which is causing the growth. Are you using anything too rich or containing too much silicones around the eye area?
May 24th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I don’t dare to use cream. I use gel mixed with contour balm. I heard they said spicy & deep fried food plus oily food can cause the milia to pop out. Is that true? Because those are my favourite food. It is very hard to control the appetitite.
I had tried to eat less of those food but the milia still pops out.
sesame Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I am not entirely sure about diet causing the growth of milia seeds.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Is there any eye product that can reduce n diminish the milia?
sesame Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I haven’t come across. All I know is that once milia is grown, it is difficult to get rid of. Either you poke it out like I did (but I don’t recommend) or you have it lasered off like what you did.
May 29th, 2009 at 7:10 am
I just had several of them removed by my eye doctor, that’s the best and safest way. Two were so close to my eye, I couldn’t imagine doing it myself, plus I have had these for a couple of years — so they were quite hard. He used a needle — didn’t hurt that much. Hardley red at all! Get them done professionally if they are close to your eye. It costs $ 35 — insurance doesn’t pay — but it’s worth it.
sesame Reply:
May 29th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I agree…best to use expert help unless you’re willing to take a risk.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Hi, I also have a lot around my eye area just got them removed last month but seems like coming back again. Could you recommend your eye doc to me? Thanks
sesame Reply:
July 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I don’t have an eye doctor.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
mine is tiny…. can anyone recommend a salon/doctor to get it removed? i’m presently in the UK and doing it on my own freaks me out. tx.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
i use to have tens of those monsters, big and small ones all over my forehead, cheek, eyelids. I think its because of the heavy skincare and cosmetics I am using. Lucky for me I read from skincare forums about this milia treatment cream from naturalis and I bought a pot. After a week of treatment, I am completely cleared of those hideous growth!
August 2nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Would OCM cause milia seeds as well? Since it IS oil around the eye area.
What about eye creams with shea butter? I know shea butter is almost like a holy grail for a lot of people but acne prone skin just breaks out like no tomorrow.
Have you tried out Organic Apoteke Rejuvenating Eye Cream?
(Oily but severely dehydrated and acne/clog prone skin)
sesame Reply:
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Not if the oil is fine. Shea butter is okay and shouldn’t cause breakout. Maybe there was other stuff in there.
Yes, tried the OA eye cream. I think it does something for it’s too early to say cos I just started on it. But it can cause redness for a short while.
August 3rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm