Chamjin Korean Medicine Clinic
ACNE & CHARMJIN
[Health Week] Causes and Management of Whitehead Acne
Milia is not an official medical term, but a nickname given to it due to its appearance, which resembles a grain of rice. Unlike pustular acne, it has minimal or no inflammation, rarely causing redness or pain. It is characterized by small bumps that spread across the forehead, outer face, and chin. It is difficult to manage and has a high recurrence rate.

Milia are often confused with seborrheic keratosis (milia). Seborrheic keratosis typically appears around the eyes, where the skin layer is thinner, but can also appear elsewhere, making it difficult to differentiate based on location alone. A more reliable way to distinguish them is by the presence of pores. A closer look reveals a pore in the center of a seborrheic keratosis. However, seborrheic keratosis is caused by a buildup of dead skin cells and is characterized by smooth, white spots without pores or hair follicles.

Treatment methods for the two are different. While whiteheads can improve with acne treatments, milia cannot, and laser treatment is usually recommended.

Milia, like pustular acne, is caused by excess sebum and clogged pores. It can also be influenced by stress hormones and lack of sleep.

To prevent whiteheads, thorough cleansing is essential. Use a rich, slightly acidic cleanser to thoroughly cleanse and prevent pores from becoming clogged with sebum. Regular exfoliation to promote the removal of dead skin cells is also helpful. However, caution is advised, as using the wrong irritating product can damage the skin barrier and lead to breakouts. A gentle, gommage-type peeling gel is recommended.

Self-extraction is possible with properly sterilized needles and cotton swabs. However, whiteheads often have deeper acne lesions than expected, and self-extraction is difficult due to the difficulty in identifying the lesions. Excessive force or improper extraction can cause skin damage, worsen inflammation, and even leave scars.

Therefore, even if it's somewhat expensive, visiting a hospital for treatment and then following up with home care to prevent recurrence is a smart way to save on potentially higher treatment costs.

Source: Health Week - https://www.healthweek.co.kr
Original article:https://www.healthweek.co.kr/news/view.php?bIdx=7647
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