What are Milia?

What Are Milia?
Milia are small, raised, pearly-white or yellowish bumps that appear just under the skin. They’re most commonly found around the eyes, cheeks, nose, eyelids, forehead, and sometimes the chest. While milia are very common in babies, they usually go away on their own. In adults, however, milia can persist for longer and often require professional treatment or removal.
Each individual bump is called a milium — a tiny skin cyst filled with keratin, a protein found in skin and hair. These cysts are firm, painless, and usually 1–2 millimetres in size. When multiple milia appear, they are referred to collectively as milia.
Although milia are harmless, many people seek milia removal for cosmetic reasons — especially when they occur in visible areas like the face. During milia extraction, it’s important to fully remove the cyst wall or sac to prevent it from coming back.
Problems with Milia?
Do Milia Cause Any Problems?
Milia are generally harmless and don’t usually cause any pain or medical issues. However, in some people, milia can become itchy or irritating — especially when located near sensitive areas like the eyes or under tight clothing.
While milia are not dangerous, many people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons or due to the discomfort they occasionally cause. If you’re unsure whether a bump is a milium or something else, it’s best to get a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
How Are Milia Diagnosed?
In most cases, milia are diagnosed simply by their appearance. They have a very typical look — small, white or yellowish bumps just under the skin — and usually no tests or investigations are needed.
However, if the diagnosis is uncertain or if your doctor suspects a rare condition like milia en plaque, they may recommend a skin biopsy. This involves removing a small sample of skin so it can be examined under a microscope.
There are a few ways a skin biopsy can be done:
Shave biopsy – removing the top layer of skin with a scalpel
Punch biopsy – using a circular tool to take a deeper core of skin
These procedures are quick and typically done under local anaesthetic.
Milia Treatment
What Milia Treatments Do We Offer?
Although milia are harmless, they don’t always go away on their own — especially in adults. At our clinic, we offer safe and effective milia removal using the most appropriate method based on the size and location of the cyst.
🔹 Radiofrequency Cautery for Small Milia
For milia up to 2–3mm, we typically use radiofrequency cautery — a precise technique that uses high-frequency energy to gently break down and remove the cyst. This method is fast, accurate, and minimises damage to surrounding skin, making it ideal for delicate areas like the face and eyelids.
🔹 Surgical Excision for Larger Milia
If the milia are larger or behave like more typical skin cysts, we may recommend full excision. This minor surgical procedure involves removing the entire cyst, including the sac, to prevent recurrence. Where appropriate, the tissue can be sent for laboratory analysis.
Self Treatment
Can I Treat Milia Myself?
You can attempt to treat milia at your own risk, but it is generally discouraged. While some people try to use a sterile needle after disinfecting the area, this approach carries a risk of:
Skin damage
Scarring
Infection
Unlike blackheads or pimples, milia are tiny cysts that sit just beneath the skin’s surface and have no natural opening. This makes them difficult to extract safely without professional tools and techniques.
For best results and to avoid complications, we recommend having milia professionally removed using methods like radiofrequency cautery or minor surgical excision. These treatments are quick, effective, and minimise trauma to the skin.
Cost of milia removal of small milia £285 / £225* / £35
How Much Does Milia Removal Cost?
We offer affordable, professional milia removal based on the size and number of lesions:
Small milia (around 1mm)
First milia removal: £225*
Each additional milia: £25 – £35
Medium milia (2–3mm)
Can often still be removed using radiofrequency cautery
May incur a small additional charge, depending on complexity
If you have multiple milia, we also offer timed appointments, which can be more cost-effective. Please refer to our full price list for small lesion removals and details on timed sessions.
* A £60 discount is already included in this price if the treatment is booked within one month of your consultation.
What next?
What Next?
If you’re ready to take the next step toward milia removal, we offer several convenient options:
You can contact us directly to ask questions or book an appointment.
Prefer to skip the wait? Book your skin surgery appointment online.
If you’re unsure or want to discuss treatment options first, you can book a telephone consultation.
Before your appointment, we recommend reading How TVSS Works so you understand what to expect.
Concerned about discomfort? Find out how we provide pain-free skin surgery using local anaesthetic or topical options.
Accessibility Information: Locations Appropriate for Referral or Treatment:
Accessibility & Clinic Location
Our clinic in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire offers easy access for patients across the South East of England seeking expert minor skin surgery and milia removal. We’re strategically positioned near major roadways and connected to London and surrounding counties via excellent public transport links.
📍 Nearby Local Areas (within 20–30 minutes)
Bourne End, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Twyford
Maidenhead, Windsor, Ascot, Slough
Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, Chalfont St Peter
Uxbridge, West Drayton, Egham
🚆 Easy Access via the Elizabeth Line (West & East London)
We’re directly connected to Central and East London via the Elizabeth Line, making travel fast and simple from:
West London: Paddington, Ealing, Acton, Southall, Hayes
Central London: Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street
East London: Whitechapel, Stratford, Ilford, Romford, Chadwell Heath, Shenfield
This makes us an ideal choice for patients looking for milia removal in London without long waiting lists or inflated city-centre pricing.
🛣️ Convenient from the M4, M40 & A404
Easily accessible from key regional towns including:
Bracknell, Reading, Wokingham, Staines, Virginia Water
Richmond, Twickenham, Northolt, Harrow, Wembley
Woking, Farnborough, Guildford, Basingstoke
🌍 Wider Regions (within 45 minutes to 2 hours)
Many patients also travel to us from:
Oxfordshire: Oxford, Banbury, Thame, Didcot
Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes
South East counties: Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Essex
South Coast: Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, Eastbourne
South West: Swindon, Bath, Bristol
Even parts of South Wales, via the M4
🧭 Why Patients Travel to Us
Patients choose us from across the region for our:
Fast access with minimal travel time
Convenient online booking and flexible consultation options
Reputation for safe, efficient, and pain-free milia removal