Laser Milia Removal

What are Milia?

Milia are small white cysts commonly found on the nose, cheeks and around the eye area. They occur when keratin (protein) becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. Milia can occur in people of all ages and demographics, including in young children.

Laser Milia removal procedure

Our laser technology has a small pen-tip head that pierces the centre of each milium, allowing the underlying dead skin to be eliminated. Once the milia have been treated by our laser, the treated areas will be milia-free. With that said, it is important to understand the milia can reform at any time, at therefore, treatment of new milia lesions may be required in the furture.

How long does the Milia removal procedure take?

Our laser milia treatment is a walk-in, walk-out treatment performed within minutes. It has little downtime, other than small scabs that form over the small, treated areas.

We will schedule 30 minutes for your appointment to allow time to complete the patient registration form, receive a consultation and discuss the procedure and post-treatment care instructions.

How many treatments will I require?

Our laser treatment facilitates the removal of milia immediately at the time of treatment. In rare cases, an additional touch-up treatment may be required—this will be assessed once your treatment area has healed after your first treatment.

Is Laser Milia removal painful?

The treatment is often termed ‘comfortable’ by our patients and is tolerated well by most age groups. However, you will have the option to receive a topical anaesthetic to numb the area being treated.

Post-Procedure Results

Immediately following your treatment, the treated areas will be red and a little swollen on and around the treated areas. Within the first 24–48 hours after treatment, small scabs will form.

After the scabs have formed, new skin will begin to grow in the treated areas and the redness and skin crusting will continue throughout the healing process. For several weeks your treated areas will continue to heal, and the scab will eventually fall off, leaving a red mark. This red mark is due to increased blood vessels that form to heal and repair the skin. In time, the redness will dissipate and the skin will heal. In some rare cases, the skin can become lighter or darker in the treatment area(s) – please refer to our ‘Potential Risks’ for more information.

Potential Risks  

Although the potential risks are extremely uncommon, one or more of the following may occur: 

• Lightening or darkening of the skin in the treated areas – (Hypopigmentation or Hyperpigmentation)
• Skin crusting or blistering  
• Infection  
• Scarring – which includes Hypertrophic or Keloid Scarring  

As part of your post-treatment care plan, you will be provided with verbal and written post-treatment instructions.

Post-Procedure Care

Following your laser treatment, you may notice redness, bleeding, bruising, swelling and weeping at the site of treatment, which can last for several days to weeks.   

It is normal for the treated area to feel a little sore and tender, for a few days post treatment.  You will keep the treated area dry and intact following your treatment. We will provide you with a topical cream to be used 3-4 times a day to the treated area, until the area has healed. 

• Please refrain from getting the treated area wet until scab has fully fallen-off the treated area.  
• Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun for a minimum of 4 weeks following treatment.
• Do not pick as scabbing can lead to scarring. 
• Makeup can be used over the treatment area so long as there is no extended redness, blistering or scabbing (mineral make-up is the best option).  
• Avoid skin irritants such as hydroquinone, bleaching creams, tretinoin, retinol creams, benzoyl peroxide, chemical peels, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid for at least 2 weeks after the procedure.  
• Avoid any rubbing or friction movements on the treated area for three days post treatment.

You will be requested to send an image of the treated area(s) 4 days post treatment via email. 

Our clinic can be contacted contact on 1300 373 662 if you experience any inflammatory reaction and/or side effect.  If necessary, additional treatments, medications and/or surgery may be necessary. If out of hours, please attend your local medical centre or emergency department.  

We will arrange a follow-up appointment for six weeks post-treatment at our clinic. If at any time you have questions or concerns, you should contact our clinic to arrange a face-to-face appointment.  

If required, you will be provided with topical cream, designed to be used post skin injury, that will provide nutrients to accelerate the skin healing process. In addition, we also offer Ligh Emitting Diode Treatment (LED) to accelerate the healing process.