They look like tiny white pearls under your skin.
You’ve tried exfoliating. You’ve tried expensive creams. You’ve definitely considered squeezing them (it doesn’t work). They just sit there—around your eyes, on your cheeks, across your nose—refusing to budge.
Here’s the truth: Milia aren’t like pimples or blackheads. They’re tiny keratin cysts trapped under the skin’s surface. No amount of scrubbing or popping will make them go away.
But professional extraction? That works. Fast.
At Vicaria Health, we remove milia safely and effectively—so you can stop obsessing over those little white bumps and get back to feeling confident in your skin.
What Exactly Are Milia?
Let’s clear this up.
Milia (singular: milium) are small, hard, white bumps caused by keratin—the same protein that makes up your hair and nails—getting trapped beneath your skin’s surface.
They’re incredibly common and can show up at any age, though they’re especially frequent in:
- Newborns (baby milia usually go away on their own)
- Adults after skin damage, sun exposure, or certain skincare products
- People using heavy creams or oils that clog pores
Where they appear:
- Under and around the eyes
- Cheeks and nose
- Forehead
- Sometimes on the chest or genitals
Milia are not whiteheads. They’re not pimples. They don’t have an opening to the skin’s surface, which is why squeezing them doesn’t work—and can actually cause scarring or infection.
Why Home Remedies Don’t Work
You’ve probably tried:
- Exfoliating scrubs and peels
- Retinol creams
- “Pore clearing” treatments
- Picking at them with your nails or tweezers
The problem? Milia are trapped under the skin. Surface treatments can’t reach them. And trying to extract them yourself risks damaging your skin, causing scarring, or introducing bacteria.
Professional extraction is the only reliable way to remove milia.
How We Remove Milia Safely
We use a simple, proven technique: sterile extraction.
Here’s the process:
- We clean and prepare the area Ensuring everything is sterile to prevent infection
- We create a tiny opening Using a sterile lancet or fine needle, we make a micro-incision in the skin’s surface
- We extract the keratin Gentle pressure removes the trapped keratin cyst cleanly
- That’s it The bump is gone, the opening heals within days
The entire process takes just a few minutes per milium. You might feel a tiny pinch when we make the opening, but it’s quick and well-tolerated. Most people are surprised by how easy it is.
Why professional extraction?
✓ Sterile technique No risk of infection from dirty tools or fingers ✓ Proper tools Medical-grade instruments designed for precision ✓ Minimal scarring We know exactly how to extract without damaging surrounding tissue ✓ Immediate results The milia are gone the moment we remove them ✓ Safe for delicate areas Including around the eyes where skin is thin and sensitive
Real Results You Can See
Before you commit to treatment, see what’s actually possible. These are real results from real patients.
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What to Expect
During Your Appointment:
- We examine the bumps to confirm they’re milia (and not something else)
- We clean and prepare the skin
- We extract each milium using sterile technique
- We provide simple aftercare instructions
- You’re done in 15-30 minutes depending on how many milia we’re removing
After Extraction:
- Tiny red marks where the milia were (these fade within a few days)
- Minimal to no discomfort—most people feel nothing afterward
- You can wear makeup the next day if you want
- No downtime needed—go right back to your day
Aftercare is simple:
- Keep the area clean
- Avoid heavy creams or oils for a few days
- Don’t pick at the treated spots while they heal
Common Areas We Treat
We safely remove milia from:
- Around the eyes (upper and lower lids)
- Cheeks
- Nose and bridge of the nose
- Forehead
- Chin
- Chest
- Anywhere they appear
Even delicate areas like the eyelids are safe when treated by medical professionals who know the anatomy and use proper technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it hurt? Most people feel a tiny pinch when we create the opening, but it’s brief and very tolerable. The extraction itself is painless. We work gently and quickly.
Will it leave scars? When done properly by medical professionals, milia extraction leaves minimal to no scarring. The micro-openings we create are incredibly small and heal cleanly within days.
Can I just squeeze them myself? Please don’t. Milia don’t have a surface opening like pimples do, so squeezing won’t work—it’ll just irritate your skin, cause redness, and potentially lead to scarring or infection. Let us handle it safely.
Will they come back? The specific milia we remove won’t come back. However, if you’re prone to milia, new ones may develop over time—especially if you use heavy skincare products or have sun damage. We can remove new ones as they appear.
Can I wear makeup after? We recommend waiting 24 hours to let the tiny openings close completely. After that, makeup is fine.
How much does it cost? Pricing depends on how many milia you’re having removed. We’ll give you transparent pricing during your consultation. Most people find it more affordable than they expected.
What if I’m not sure they’re milia? No problem. We’ll examine the bumps and let you know exactly what they are. Sometimes what looks like milia is actually closed comedones (whiteheads), seborrheic keratosis (waxy brown growths), skin tags (soft hanging flaps), or even cherry angiomas (tiny red spots). We can identify the difference and recommend the right treatment.
Why Choose Medical Doctors for Milia Removal
We’re physicians, not estheticians. That matters when you’re working on delicate facial skin.
✓ Medical training We understand skin anatomy and how to extract without causing damage ✓ Sterile technique Proper tools, sterilization, and infection prevention ✓ Safe for sensitive areas Including around the eyes where precision is critical ✓ We can identify other skin issues If something looks unusual, we know ✓ Appropriate for all skin types We adjust our technique to prevent pigmentation issues on darker skin tones ✓ Located in downtown Hamilton Serving Westdale, the Mountain, Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and beyond
Ready for Smooth, Clear Skin?
We’ll examine your skin, confirm what those white bumps are, and remove them safely so you can stop worrying about them.
Vicaria Health is located in downtown Hamilton and serves clients throughout the city—including Westdale, Hamilton Mountain, Dundas, Ancaster, Waterdown, Stoney Creek, and Burlington.
Stop hiding those white bumps under makeup.