How to pop a pimple

How to pop a pimple

Common advice is to let your body heal a pimple on its own without popping. But in the real world, some people absolutely refuse to go around with a bulging white zit for the world to see. Plus, when done properly, popping a pimple can actually be beneficial to the healing process. Reserve this technique for only pimples that are absolutely begging to be popped—all the way at the surface and white. After a shower is best, when the skin is supple.

1. Disinfect a needle with rubbing alcohol. A basic sharp sewing needle is a good choice.
2. Gently prick the pimple’s surface.
3. Take two tissues and wrap your index fingers with them.
4. Squeeze from the sides, confidently but gently, using a down-and-in motion. Don’t force it. If the pimple is ready, it’ll pop. If it doesn’t, leave it be. Be sure to stop if clear fluid or blood starts to come out.
5. Continuing to work at a lesion that is not ready to be popped can lead to scarring. Walk away from the mirror!

It is very important to leave deep, painful lesions (cysts and nodules) untouched. Do not attempt to pop them. Instead, a fantastic option for these types of lesions is to see a dermatologist who can administer a cortisone injection which will bring down swelling and potentially reduce or eliminate scarring. Often dermatologists will accept a quick “emergency” appointment for such matters.

Cure Acne in 3 days!

Cure Acne in 3 days!

The market is littered with "cures for acne". However, if you ask any dermatologist or medical researcher, they will tell you a cure does not exist. While Accutane does provide long term remission for some patients and an argument could be made that it approaches an "acne cure" in these cases, you will not find a cure on the Internet or in the back of a magazine.

Since there is no cure for acne, your time is better spent looking at how to treat and prevent acne. In my experience, is the best over-the-counter medication for preventing acne. But with benzoyl peroxide, as with any other acne medication aside from , you must be deliberate and steady and follow an acne treatment regimen until you grow out of acne naturally. Prevention is the key.

For a free, non-commercial acne prevention regimen, visit the pages of Acne.org.

Note: I think the human race would be better off without it, and with today’s knowledge and technology, I think it’s possible. I am spending most of my time researching at this point, delving deeper and deeper into how the pore works on a microscopic level and then researching possible ways to interrupt the acne process within the skin. I am always looking for interns to help me with this process. If you are passionate about research, meticulous, and a good communicator, please feel free to regarding internship opportunities.

Smoking and acne - how cigarettes affect the skin

Smoking and acne - how cigarettes affect the skin

Smoking causes three million deaths per year worldwide. It causes many forms of cancer and untold pain and suffering, not to mention billions of dollars in preventable health care costs. Common sense says that smoking negatively effects almost every bodily condition, but evidence is mounting from smoking studies around the world that people who smoke are no more likely to break out. The most impressive is a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology in 2006 in which trained nurses interviewed 27,083 young men over a 20 year period. The conclusion was surprising: “Active smokers showed a significantly lower prevalence of severe acne than nonsmokers.” In another study, published in 2007 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, researchers reported that of the 594 participants studied, “In girls, smoking was significantly associated with lower prevalence of acne…No significant associations between acne and smoking variables were detected among boys.” A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2001 seems to refute these findings. 896 people were examined for the study. Smokers tended to have more acne, and the more they smoked, the worse their acne presented itself. Other studies have showed no statistical difference between smokers and non-smokers in regards to acne. In short, evidence is conflicting and the medical research community needs quite a bit more data to come to a consensus.

Smoking harms skin health: While smoking may or may not aggravate acne, it nevertheless does harm the skin. Smoking constricts blood vessels and damages the surface of many parts of our bodies, from the cells that line our organs to the skin that protects us. It also induces an inflammatory reaction in the body, precipitating a huge list of diseases. Specific to the skin, smoking is linked to poor wound healing and psoriasis. It may also be related to skin cancers.

Smoking harms skin appearance: Smoking is also closely associated with wrinkles and premature skin aging. Smoking creates free radicals, impairs collagen production, and degrades skin proteins, all of which age the skin. Quitting smoking, or not taking up smoking in the first place, is one of the best preventative measures against premature aging. Smoking can also stain the teeth and hasten hair loss. Not surprisingly, in surveys of body esteem, smokers tend to rank lower than non-smokers.

Nicotine, the wild card: As with many things in life, there are exceptions to the rule. For instance, evidence is showing that smoking may actually help protect against mouth sores and rosacea. And as we see in the latest studies of smoking and acne, smoking may perhaps help reduce the severity of acne. The potential positive effects of smoking are most likely from nicotine, and not from smoking itself. Nicotine by itself is not necessarily harmful. In the case of acne, the constriction of blood vessels that nicotine produces may inhibit the production of more severe forms of acne in a lucky few people. How and if this happens is still up to debate.

References

Beylot C. “Mechanisms and causes of acne.” [Article in French] La Revue du Praticien. 2002 Apr 15;52(8):828-30.

Chuh AA, Zawar V, Wong WC, Lee A. “The association of smoking and acne in men in Hong Kong and in India: a retrospective case-control study in primary care settings.” Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2004 Nov;29(6):597-9.

Firooz A, Sarhangnejad R, Davoudi SM, Nassiri-Kashani M. “Acne and smoking: is there a relationship?” BMC Dermatology. 2005 Mar 24;5:2.

Freiman A, Bird G, Metelitsa AI, Baranklin B, Lauzon GJ. “Cutaneous effects of smoking.” Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2004 Nov-Dec;8(6):415-23.

Jemec GB, Linneberg A, Nielsen NH, Frølund L, Madsen F, Jørgensen T. “Have oral contraceptives reduced the prevalence of acne? a population-based study of acne vulgaris, tobacco smoking, and oral contraceptives.” Dermatology. 2002;204(3):179-84.

Just-Sarobé M. “Smoking and the skin.” [Article in Spanish] Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas. 2008 Apr;99(3):173-84.

Klaz I, Kochba I, Shohat T, Zarka S, Brenner S. “Severe acne vulgaris and tobacco smoking in young men.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2006 Aug;126(8):1749-52. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Kornblau IS, Pearson HC, Breitkopf CR. “Demographic, behavioral, and physical correlates of body esteem among low-income female adolescents.” Journal of Adolescent Health. 2007 Dec;41(6):566-70. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Krug M, Wünsche A, Blum A. “Addiction to tobacco and the consequences for the skin.” [Article in German] Hautarzt. 2004 Mar;55(3):301-15; quiz 316.

Morita A. “Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging.” Journal of Dermatological Science. 2007 Dec;48(3):169-75. Epub 2007 Oct 24.

Rigopoulos D, Gregoriou S, Ifandi A, Efstathiou G, Georgala S, Chalkias J, Katsambas A. “Coping with acne: beliefs and perceptions in a sample of secondary school Greek pupils.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2007 Jul;21(6):806-10.

Rombouts S, Nijsten T, Lambert J. “Cigarette smoking and acne in adolescents: results from a cross-sectional study.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2007 Mar;21(3):326-33.

Schäfer T, Nienhaus A, Vieluf D, Berger J, Ring J. “Epidemiology of acne in the general population: the risk of smoking.” The British Journal of Dermatology. 2001 Jul;145(1):100-4.

Wolf R, Orion E, Matz H, Maitra S, Rowland-Payne C. “Smoking can be good for you.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004 Apr;3(2):107-11.

Hormones and acne

Hormones and acne

Acne by its very nature can be considered a hormonal disease. Hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin. This is why children do not experience acne.

Testosterone

There are several times in our lives when our hormones can become unbalanced and wreak havoc, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and, well, any other time they feel like it. More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The oil surplus created by these hormones may be instrumental in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne pimples and blemishes.

Estrogen

Hormonal acne is seen mostly in women due to the natural cycles a woman goes through, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Because of this, some low-dose are prescribed to reduce blemishes by keeping androgens steady. Anyone considering using this type of treatment should consult a physician first.

I have received many e-mails from women in their late 20s and older who are experiencing an acne flare-up or even acne for the first time in their lives. These women have also reported that the helps clear up their adult onset hormone induced acne, so the Regimen is definitely worth a shot.

References

Hormones and acne

Acne by its very nature can be considered a hormonal disease. Hormones are responsible for the maturation of the oil glands in our skin. This is why children do not experience acne.

Testosterone

There are several times in our lives when our hormones can become unbalanced and wreak havoc, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and, well, any other time they feel like it. More specifically, acne may be precipitated by androgens, male hormones present in both men and women. The oil surplus created by these hormones may be instrumental in clogging hair follicles where bacteria grows and causes acne pimples and blemishes.

Estrogen

Hormonal acne is seen mostly in women due to the natural cycles a woman goes through, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Because of this, some low-dose are prescribed to reduce blemishes by keeping androgens steady. Anyone considering using this type of treatment should consult a physician first.

I have received many e-mails from women in their late 20s and older who are experiencing an acne flare-up or even acne for the first time in their lives. These women have also reported that the helps clear up their adult onset hormone induced acne, so the Regimen is definitely worth a shot.

References

Female acne

Female acne

Some facts about women and acne

• As a general rule, women's hormones tend to fluctuate more than men, which helps explain why acne in women tends to be less constant and more erratic than acne in men.
• More than half of adult women experience at least occasional breakouts.
• 60-70% of women who battle with acne experience premenstrual flare-ups.
• Acne can occur throughout a woman's adult life, in early adulthood, in the late twenties and thirties (which I have personally seen quite a bit), during pregnancy, and during menopause.
• Hormonal acne can be frustrating, but can be effectively treated.

Hormonal acne influences

Premenstrual acne flare-ups may be caused by over-stimulated androgens (male hormones). These hormones stimulate oil glands in the skin. During the pre-menstrual period, a woman's oil-producing glands can go into overdrive. Women may also see acne throughout their entire monthly cycle, the cause of which we still do not fully understand.

When pregnant women experience an acne flare-up, it is typically early in their pregnancy. Later in the pregnancy, the skin will often clear up. Acne can then flare again a few months after giving birth. Why? Again, we are not certain, but we suspect this is due to a change in hormones. As a general rule, any time we see hormones fluctuate in any direction, acne can pop up. During pregnancy in particular, it is extremely important for the expectant mother to speak closely with her doctor regarding appropriate and safe

Women experiencing menopause or post-menopause may also experience hormonal acne. Why? You guessed it. We suspect this is due to hormonal fluctuations that occur at this time in a woman's life.

Treatment options

For many women, the right topical medications can keep acne at bay. However, for women who have found that topical medications have not been helpful, there are still options available. After consulting with a physician, many women may turn to birth control pills. As an acne treatment, certain birth control pills, when used in low dosages, can decrease the amount of androgens, thereby limiting breakouts. However, just like after pregnancy, when a woman stops taking birth control pills, her acne can flare. Before deciding on this type of treatment, women should be aware of the side effects associated with birth control pills and consult a gynecologist. Another more recent prescription option for women is . Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which can be used as an androgen-receptor blocker to treat acne in women. By suppressing the androgens, it helps to reduce sebum production.

In my experience, men and women do not differ much in terms of effective acne treatments, and appropriate application of topical treatment is often the best option. I have personally coached many people, male and female, through the with equal success.

References

A. Goodfellow, J. Alaghband-Zadeh, G. Carter, J.J. Cream, S. Holland, J. Scully, P. Wise (1984) Oral spironolactone improves acne vulgaris and reduces sebum excretion. British Journal of Dermatology 111 (2), 209-214 doi:10.111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb04045.x

Fulton, James E. Acne Rx. James E. Fulton Jr., M.D., PhD: 2001. 107-115.

Preston, Lydia. "Breaking Out" A Woman's Guide to Coping with Acne at Any Age. Fireside 2004.

Adult acne

Adult acne

Statistics

Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. One third of adults affected with facial acne also have . These are the official statistics, but I personally don't know many adults who have not had a zit or two in their adult lives. People can develop unpleasant acne or have an acne recurrence in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. Dermatologists are seeing more adult acne than in previous decades. An article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science in 2004 stated, "Recent epidemiological studies show that there appears to be an increase in post-adolescent acne, and that the disease is lasting longer and is requiring treatment well into the mid forties." Regardless of when someone struggles with acne, it can be difficult to cope, and can cause depression and social anxiety in an adult the same way it can in a teen.

Causes of adult acne

Although the acne are unknown, possible causes include , cosmetics, , and an increase of resistant bacteria. Women in particular often experience premenstrual flares, often around the mouth.

Treatment of adult acne

There are many adult acne products, however, in my experience, the overall best treatment for adult acne is identical to the best treatment for teen acne, benzoyl peroxide. But benzoyl peroxide must be administered in a very specific manner to achieve total clearing. See the for a step-by-step program you can use to clear your skin using benzoyl peroxide. Thousands of adults have used the Regimen to treat their acne with great results.

Not so uncommon

It is important to realize that adult acne is more common than people may think, and adult sufferers are not alone. If you are troubled by adult onset acne, promptly consult your doctor. She or he may have a hormonal adult acne treatment that can help, or read the and give it a go.

You can find further tips to stop adult acne on the . Many adults frequent the boards and are happy to answer questions.

Stress and acne

Stress and acne

Info on the stress and acne connection and tips on how to chill out

• Q:

  Are stress and acne related?

  A:

  Yes. Stress can aggravate symptoms, but moderate or light stress can be overcome with the right and need not prevent clear skin.

• Q:

  What do we mean by "stress" anyway?

  A:

  Stress is any taxing of our emotional or physical being. Widely defined this can include pretty much everything, but for our purposes here, we'll define it as any undue emotional or physical strain. What might be surprising about this definition is that it includes physical strain. Many people view stress as just an emotional issue, but when we're speaking about acne, it is best to include undue physical strain in our definition since both can come into play.

  Examples of emotional stress:

  • Anxiety regarding an upcoming big event, i.e. a wedding or important test
  • Bullying
  • Relationship problems
  • Overwhelming workload
  • Health of loved one

  Examples of physical stress:

  • Overly demanding sports or exercise schedule without adequate rest
  • Lack of sleep
  • A hectic lifestyle - can lead to physical tension and shallow breathing
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking/drugs
• Q:

  So how does stress affect acne?

  A:

  The average acne sufferer has clogged pores that they can't even see. Stress has an inflammatory response in the body and can cause the walls of these pores to literally break. When this happens, the body's response is redness around the broken pore, and an influx of pus (a zit).

  Also, when we are stressed, our adrenal gland goes into overdrive. Androgens (male hormones), which are made in this gland, increase. Increased androgens can lead to more acne. This is especially true in women, who produce a much larger percentage of their androgens in the adrenal gland than men. This may explain why stress seems to affect women more than men when it comes to acne.

• Q:

  So what do I do to handle stress?

  A:

  Here are three effective tools:

  • Exercise: so long as you're not overdoing it, exercise is the best way to reduce stress. Get your heart going and it will reward you with more oxygen to your brain and a reduced stress response. Try to get your body moving at least three times a week for a good half hour or more. Don't believe it? Try it and see. It makes an incredible difference.
  • Take time each day to meditate or do deep breathing exercises.
  • Get a good night's sleep.

Body acne - body acne treatment

Acne.org - A community organization

Body acne - body acne treatment

Body Acne is common on the chest, back, shoulders and even the buttocks, but it can appear anywhere on the body.

• 
  

  Hi guys. is the result of over 20 years of researching everything Acne and using myself as a guinea pig. And the good news is I found what works. Its a very simple but very precise way of washing and treating your skin with over the counter products that you can get anywhere. It works for just about everyone. I still use it every day to stay clear. and let me know what you think.

• 
  

• See what people are saying or share your story on the body acne message board.

• 
• 

  Member posted pics and blogs about being on the regimen.

What is body acne?

Body acne, just like facial acne, is a genetic disease. If your mother or father had body acne, chances are you're likely to struggle with it yourself. Studies show us that most people with facial acne have some amount of body acne as well. Body acne develops in a similar way to facial acne. However, the skin on the body can be thicker than that on the face and often has larger pores, making for more severe acne lesions at times.

Acne can develop anywhere on the body except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. That is because these are the only two areas which do not have sebaceous glands where acne is formed. So, if you're wondering if the pus filled red marks on your arms, legs, buttocks, or elsewhere are acne, chances are they just might be. If you are unsure, see a dermatologist for a diagnosis.

Causes of body acne

As with any type of acne, the exact cause of body acne remains unknown. However, we do know that irritation can make it worse. Anything that rubs against your skin can cause irritation. Our bodies are constantly in contact with things, so it makes no sense to try to avoid all rubbing. If you are experiencing acne in one area, try to be cognizant of what might be regularly rubbing and irritating that area and make a change if you can. Damp, sweaty clothing combined with irritation tends to aggravate acne even more.

Avoiding irritation

• Wear breathable cotton clothing when possible. If you get sweaty, try to change your clothing when you can.
• Time your workouts so that you can shower and treat your skin using the Body Regimen afterward.
• Generally try to be aware of what might be irritating your skin in areas where you break out regularly and make changes where you can.

Diet and acne

Diet and acne

Info on the diet and acne connection

• Q:

  Are diet and acne related?

  A:

  The only real answer we have at this point in our research is we don't know for sure. More research is needed.

• Q:

  It seems like common sense that diet and acne would be related. But is there a scientific reason why they might be related?

  A:

  Diet has a direct effect on our body's insulin levels. Insulin is our master hormone and affects all of our other hormones, including our androgens (male hormones). Scientists heavily suspect that hormonal fluctuations, particularly in our androgen levels, can result in acne flare ups. Insulin also affects growth hormone and a host of other hormones which may be related to acne formation on a cellular level. It is hypothesized, yet unproven, that a diet which causes insulin spikes may affect the pathogenesis (development) of acne.

  The right diet may also be related to acne in positive ways. Eating a low glycemic diet rich in veggies, fruit, seafood, and grass-fed meat can help stabilize insulin levels, which theoretically may have an impact. Also, ingesting Omega-3 fats, such as fish oil, for instance, has been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent in our body. Since a big part of acne is inflammation, it makes theoretical sense that eating an anti-inflammatory diet would help.

• Q:

  So why have doctors always said it's a myth?

  A:

  Quite honestly, calling the diet and acne connection a myth just happened to catch on as prevailing wisdom after two studies were released in 1969 and 1971. The 1969 study was aimed at determining whether chocolate and acne are related. Two groups were given chocolate bars. One group was given chocolate bars with zero cocoa content, and the other group was given chocolate bars with a huge cocoa content. The two groups fared equally well as far as their acne was concerned. However, the chocolate bars both had sugar, milk, etc. The study was only testing cocoa in particular. The 1971 study asked college students, "What do you think causes your acne?" and the students were then given lots of that food. However, the students' baseline diets were not measured, there was no control group, the data was not analyzed, and the lesion count was not presented. No other studies comparing diet and acne have been performed since these two, until very recently. Obviously, from these two studies we cannot conclude that diet and acne are not related. We simply do not have the science until we perform more research. In my opinion, it is premature to say diet and acne are, or are not, related.

  The recent study I referred to was performed in 2002. It was an epidemiological study and was published in the Archives of Dermatology. Dr. Cordain and Dr. Lindeberg studied indigenous tribes of hunter/gatherers, including 1200 Kitavan islanders off Papua New Guinea as well as a small group of Ache people in the remote jungle of Paraguay. There was zero incidence of acne in either population. Is this due to their diet? We are uncertain, but it is intriguing.

• Q:

  So what are our next steps?

  A:

  We have a unique historical opportunity here at Acne.org to share our own stories and move toward a greater consensus regarding diet and acne. Please keep sharing them on the . I'm also working on releasing a few new parts of the web site which will be more scientifically sound and user friendly so we can approach this topic in an empirical way. In the meantime while we try to figure out how diet and acne are related, appropriate topical can get acne under control for now.

Ethnic Skin and Acne

Ethnic Skin and Acne

Acne and Black Skin

Acne and black skin

Overview: Acne is the most common skin disorder in black adolescents and black adults and is often the primary reason for a visit to a doctor or dermatologist. According to the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, "Acne vulgaris is an extremely common dermatological problem in Africans and people of African descent worldwide." Despite this prevalence, relatively few studies have been conducted on people with black skin. Not surprisingly, people with dark skin often experience the same intense distress from acne.

What is different about black skin: People with black skin tend to have inflammatory acne, which is the most common type of acne. This is actually good news because inflammatory acne is easier to treat than non-inflammatory acne. Black people also tend to have less nodules and cysts, the more severe types of acne lesions. Despite the fact that black people tend to have less severe lesions, there is a higher chance of keloid scarring, especially on the chest and back, making effective acne prevention paramount. Next, people with dark skin tend to have more incidence of post-inflammatory , a big word that means marks left after acne goes away. This is such a big issue that dermatologists often remark on how their black patients consider these marks worse than the acne itself. Click on the Dark Spots tab above to learn more about how to contend with these dark spots that acne leaves behind.

Pomade acne - a special case: Sometimes the greasy emollients which make up black hair care products can come into contact with the skin and aggravate acne. If you use these products and tend to break out along your hair line or in places where your particular hair style comes into contact with your skin, this may be the culprit.

How to treat acne in black skin: Luckily, inflammatory acne develops and is treated the same way in people regardless of skin color, and with the right regimen is easy to clear. There are several options including topical treatment as well as . According to the International Journal of Dermatology, "benzoyl peroxide is particularly effective for the inflammatory component." Benzoyl peroxide is a mild drying and peeling agent, but people with black skin tend to have less flakiness and scaling of the skin and tolerate it well. I outline a highly effective here on Acne.org.

The bottom line: The first and foremost concern should be prevention. Preventing acne will prevent the dark spots that are often left behind and will also prevent scarring. Concentrate your efforts on clearing up your acne and getting it under complete control. Then, if you choose, you can embark on one of the many methods of hastening healing of the dark spots that are left behind.

Note: People of African descent should not take the antibiotic minocycline to treat acne symptoms. "Fatal cases of hypersensitivity" have been reported with this drug in people of African descent.

Acne in plain English - What is Acne?

Acne in plain English - What is Acne?

A normal follicle

A normal follicle looks like this:

For reasons no one completely understands, follicles, often called pores, sometimes get blocked. Sebum (oil) which normally drains to the surface gets blocked and bacteria begins to grow. Both whiteheads and blackheads start out as a microcomedone. The picture below is a microcomedone:

There are two types of acne:

Non-inflammatory acne

Microcomedones become non-inflamed skin blemishes called comedones--either a whitehead or a blackhead:

Whitehead

When the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin surface, a whitehead is formed. Whiteheads may show up as tiny white spots, or they may be so small that they are invisible to the naked eye.

Blackhead

A blackhead occurs when the pore opens to the surface, and the sebum, which contains the skin pigment melanin, oxidizes and turns a brown/black color. It is not dirt and can not be washed away. Blackheads can last for a long time because the contents very slowly drain to the surface.

A blackhead or whitehead can release its contents to the surface and heal. Or, the follicle wall can rupture and inflammatory acne can ensue (see below). This rupture can be caused by random occurrence or by picking or touching the skin. This is why it is important to leave acne prone skin relatively untouched.

Inflammatory acne

Papule

A papule occurs when there is a break in the follicular wall. White blood cells rush in and the pore becomes inflamed.

Pustule

A pustule forms several days later when white blood cells make their way to the surface of the skin. This is what people usually refer to as a "zit" or a "pimple".

An inflamed lesion can sometimes completely collapse or explode, severely inflaming the surrounding skin, and sometimes engulfing neighboring follicles. These lesions are called nodules or cysts:

Nodule

When a follicle breaks along the bottom, total collapse can occur, causing a large, inflamed bump that can be sore to the touch.

Cyst

Sometimes a severe inflammatory reaction can result in very large pus filled lesions.

Milia

Milia are tiny white bumps that occur when normally sloughed skin cells get trapped in small pockets on the surface of the skin. They are common in newborns across the nose and upper cheeks and can also be seen on adult skin. The bumps disappear as the surface is worn away and the dead skin is sloughed. In newborns, the bumps usually disappear within the first few weeks of life. However, for adults milia may persist indefinitely.

Treatment is usually not indicated in children. Adults can have them removed by a physician for cosmetic improvement.
for complete information on milia.