2 replies to this topic

[curious_sle]

Yep, i always wondered what that stuff was that bothered me... now it seems i finally found out ( http://www.smartskin...opic.php?t=2958 not me but looks the same albeit worse) it is milia. Now i'd really like to hear from the knowledgeable people in here what to do. I read some recommend retin a which i use since a year now and thus far no improvement discernible.

Maybe copper peptides help? ah well. Would really like to improve that part.

[Fredrik]

Yep, i always wondered what that stuff was that bothered me... now it seems i finally found out ( http://www.smartskin...opic.php?t=2958 not me but looks the same albeit worse) it is milia. Now i'd really like to hear from the knowledgeable people in here what to do. I read some recommend retin a which i use since a year now and thus far no improvement discernible.

Maybe copper peptides help? ah well. Would really like to improve that part.

To treat already existent milia: the standard dermatological treatment is that a dermatologist prick/cut the milia open with a very small scalpel so that the fatty white mass can be gently pushed out.

To prevent new milia: continue with a retinoid, but try tazarotene instead of tretinoin because it is the most comedolytic of all known retinoids. If you can tolerate taz every night you can even apply it twice a day because taz is photostable, unlike tretinoin.

Copper peptides won´t do anything. You need retinoids (most effective) or glycolic/salicylic acids.

Edited by fredrik, 02 December 2007 - 05:37 PM.

[kismet]

So what is the state of the art treatment for milia these days? Do they tend to go away or persist?

I've developed several (~5) milia on my face in the last few weeks, even though my skin-care regimen stayed pretty much the same. I think the only change was the inclusion of erythromycin vs teatree oil.
I'm using isotretinoin gel (0,05%) + erythromycin at night, salicylic acid or topical nicotinamide (5%) in the morning and azelaic acid (20%) in between.
Can any of these substances be the cause?

To treat already existent milia: the standard dermatological treatment is that a dermatologist prick/cut the milia open with a very small scalpel so that the fatty white mass can be gently pushed out.

Any chance of scarring with that one?

To prevent new milia: continue with a retinoid, but try tazarotene instead of tretinoin because it is the most comedolytic of all known retinoids. If you can tolerate taz every night you can even apply it twice a day because taz is photostable, unlike tretinoin.

Why do I develop milia even though I'm using a retinoid and how does isotretinoin compare to the other topical retinoids?  Unfortunately isotretinoin is only popular in Europe, I think I should really switch to one of the better researched, maybe even more powerful, retinoids...

Copper peptides won´t do anything. You need retinoids (most effective) or glycolic/salicylic acids.

What's the minimum concentration required? 30%?