I have some milia on my chin area that I cannot get rid of. Laser resurfacing and existing milia?

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

You should be able to have your skin resurfaced with Fraxel or another laser even though you have milia. The milia can be improved with chemical peels and/or microneedling. Be sure to consult a board-certified dermatologist who will devise a treatment plan for you that will rejuvenate your skin plus take care of the milia.

Milia can be treated with needle removal but you can do clear + brilliant or fraxel lasers combined with microneedling/prp and get cosmetic improvements while also improving the milia. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer.

As noted below, your milia are not going to interfere in any way with the laser resurfacing procedure or results.  However, I would recommend getting them extracted before the procedure, because they can become worse during the recovery process after the resurfacing.  You should also ask your provider about products to use after the recovery that will help to decrease the formation of milia.

Laser resurfacing with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) would be a good option for you.  More than one treatment may be necessary.  Results are noticed after several weeks.

Bottom line, no. However laser resurfacing may cause more milia or millum during the healing phase, this however is very easy to treat, using a sterile 25 g needle can help, as well as the use of Vitamin A creams a few weeks post laser resurfacing can reduce the formation of milia. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. 

Laser resurfacing is ultimately the best approach to skin texture issues, but it can transiently induce milia during the healing period. I would recommend a CO2 fractional ablative technology - not just the non-ablative - to achieve the best results. The existing milia should not be a problem. See someone who has experience with cosmetic Laser modalities - dermatology, oculoplastics, general plastics. Best wishes.