Whiteheads after Pearl Laser

I am in day three of my Pearl Laser treatment. I have whiteheads surrounding my mouth, chin and nose. Is this normal? I understand that the honeycomb appearance is normal. I have been doing the vinegar soak and constant aquaphor. Help, I am doing my best not to pick at them!

2 answers to “Whiteheads after Pearl Laser”

A: Milia

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

 This is a fairly common side effect from a number of procedures. They are called milia (milium singular  from the Latin millet seed) There is nothing to become alarmed about. As the skin heals sometimes the keratin in the pores is plugged up. Aquaphor too, as much as we dermtologists love the stuff,... more

A: Don't pick!

Mary Lupo, MD

The whiteheads are milia from oil trapped in the pores after Pearl and is likely the result of the Aquaphor. Your dermatologist will extract them after 7 days if necessary, or put you on a retinoid. The occlusion from the aquaphor causes this common, temporary side effect from Pearl as well as from any... more

Comments

awalk
465 posts
28 Apr 2009

This might sound crazy but Cold pressed Castor oil...Will soften the millia in a couple days... You can create a soak with with organic cotton fabric that you can get at any fabric store..... To increase the absorbtion light heat can be applied... You will be shocked,,,It's amazing and non invasive and better than Aquaphor... You might think it would break you out or be to occlusive but the opposite is true......

awalk
465 posts
28 Apr 2009

While most of us are familiar with its use as a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar chemical composition. Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90 percent of its fatty acid content consists of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any other substance except castor oil. Such a high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities. Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37.323-325.) This would explain the high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm, keratoses (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growths), skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the area involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger- and toenails that have discolored and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts, prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.) This is very interesting I am not a naturalist ect ect...But this unbelievably works....In combination with or Better than any $200 cream I purchased!!! Google it!!!!! CASTOR OIL - NATURAL PROTECTION FROM DEADLY VIRUSES Dr. David G. Williams -- ALTERNATIVES -- v6 n1, July 1995

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