Milia After Microneedling: Causes, Care, and Recovery

Microneedling is a popular way to make your skin look younger and smoother. It works by poking tiny holes in your skin, which helps it heal and make new, healthy skin. While lots of people love the results, some might notice small, white bumps called milia afterwards. It’s not what anyone expects when they’re hoping for perfect skin, but it happens.

Let’s dive into why these little bumps show up and what you can do about them. It’s all about getting to know your skin better and finding the best way to care for it.

Why Do I Get Milia After Microneedling?

Milia are small, white cysts filled with keratin, a protein that’s naturally found in the skin. These cysts form when keratin gets trapped under the skin’s surface, leading to tiny bumps that can appear anywhere on the face.

Microneedling is a process where tiny needles create micro-injuries in the skin. This stimulates the skin’s natural healing process, encouraging it to produce collagen and elastin. These proteins are key to keeping the skin looking firm and youthful.

However, this process can sometimes cause side effects, including the development of milia. The reasons behind this are linked to the skin’s response to the healing process. As the skin repairs itself from the micro-injuries caused by microneedling, it can inadvertently trap keratin under the skin, leading to the formation of milia.

While microneedling offers many benefits for skin rejuvenation, understanding its potential to cause milia is important for anyone considering the treatment.

How to Get Rid of Milia After Microneedling

Seeing milia, on your skin after microneedling might surprise you but the good news is, it’s a normal part of how your skin heals and it usually goes away on their own after a few days.

However, here’s what you can do to help your skin get back to normal faster and deal with milia the right way:

Give Your Skin Time to Heal

The best thing to do is not to touch or try to pick at these bumps. Doctors say letting your skin heal by itself is important. If you mess with the milia, you could cause an infection or even leave a scar. Think of your skin like it’s fixing itself, and you don’t want to get in the way of that.

Taking Care of Your Skin

• First Few Days: Your skin will look red and feel dry or tight. Seeing milia and some peeling skin is part of the process. This means your skin is getting rid of old layers and making way for new, healthy skin. Avoid touching and picking.
• Be Gentle: Avoid strong skincare actives that can irritate your skin more. Stick to a simple and kind skincare routine that helps calm and hydrate your skin.
• Stay Hydrated: Moisturising your skin is super important after microneedling and keeping your skin moist might even help the milia clear up quicker. Use a moisturizer that’s light and won’t clog your pores. Professionals recommend using hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and squalane oil.

Helpful Tips for Milia

• Soft Exfoliation: Once your skin has healed and feels better, gently exfoliating can help remove milia. Just be gentle to not hurt your skin.
• Use Retinoids With Care: If the milia don’t go away, using a cream with retinoids, like tretinoin, might help. These creams help your skin renew itself. But, remember to only use them if a doctor says it’s okay, especially after something like microneedling.

With a little patience and the right care, your skin should heal in about a week. Then you can go back to your usual skincare. Remember, milia are just a small bump in the road to better skin and they’ll clear up before you know it. If they stick around or if you’re worried, it’s a good idea to talk to a skin doctor for advice tailored to you.

RF Microneedling and Milia

RF microneedling combines the benefits of microneedling with radiofrequency energy to promote even deeper skin healing and tightening. This method aims to boost collagen production more effectively, targeting wrinkles, sagging skin, and scars with precision.

Milia Formation After RF Microneedling

Given that RF microneedling involves both puncturing the skin and applying heat through radiofrequency, one might wonder if it leads to a higher or lower chance of developing milia. The truth is, the chance of getting milia from RF microneedling is pretty much the same as with traditional microneedling. It all comes down to how your skin heals.

Just like with any microneedling treatment, taking care of your skin afterward is key. Keeping it clean, moisturized, and protected is the best way to help your skin heal and minimize the chance of milia popping up.

If you’re prone to getting milia or have concerns, talking to your dermatologist before trying RF microneedling is a smart move. They can guide you on the best aftercare and how to keep your skin looking its best.

Final Thoughts: The Path to Radiant Skin

Microneedling, with its promise of youthful and vibrant skin, is a journey that might come with a few surprises, like milia. But understanding that these small, white bumps are just a part of the skin’s natural healing process can make all the difference in how we perceive and handle them.

Whether you opt for traditional microneedling or the advanced RF microneedling, the key to a smooth recovery and achieving the best results lies in proper aftercare and a little patience.

Remember, milia are temporary. With gentle care, avoiding the urge to pick, and keeping the skin hydrated, these tiny bumps will soon be a thing of the past.

And if you’re ever in doubt, a dermatologist is your best ally, ready to provide tailored advice and support throughout your skin rejuvenation journey.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560481/
https://derringtondermatology.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Microneedling-aftercare.pdf
https://www.imagesurgicalarts.com/blog/guide-to-microneedling-aftercare
https://www.getthegloss.com/beauty/skincare/milia-what-you-need-to-know-about-white-bumps-on-your-skin