How to get rid of milia on the forehead

Milia form when keratin is trapped under the surface of the skin. On the forehead they may look like a cluster of tiny, smooth, pale bumps. They are not the same as acne, although sweat, heavy products or irritation can make nearby bumps more noticeable. A clinician should confirm the diagnosis if the surface is inflamed, scaly or changing.

Read about [Milia](/conditions/milia/), [Skin Bumps](/symptoms/skin-bumps/) and [Whiteheads](/symptoms/whiteheads/) for useful comparisons.

Resist squeezing or using a needle. Forehead skin can become inflamed, infected or marked after self-extraction. A dermatologist may use sterile opening and extraction for an individual lesion. For suitable cases, curettage and cautery offers another clinic-based approach, selected after examining the bump and surrounding skin.

Use a gentle cleanser, avoid thick occlusive products over the area and introduce no strong exfoliant near irritated skin. A clinician may recommend [Topical Retinoids](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-retinoids/) for selected recurrent or widespread milia, with instructions tailored to your skin. Ask about [Curettage And Cautery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/curettage-and-cautery/) if you want to understand procedural options.

Book a review when bumps persist despite gentle care, multiply quickly, itch intensely, hurt, ooze, crust or leave pigment. Seek prompt assessment for a rapidly changing or bleeding lesion, or for swelling around the eye. A diagnosis is especially useful before applying retinoids or acids, because not every forehead bump is milia.

Ask whether the bumps are milia or acne, whether any product may be contributing, which removal method suits your skin, and how to care for the area afterward. You can also ask how to recognise a recurrence and when to return.