Procedures to treat these small bumps on my face? (Photo)

Question

I’ve noticed three distinct bumps on my face; the one on my forehead is particularly prominent. These bumps differ from acne as they cause neither pain nor irritation upon contact. They began to appear approximately one to two years ago, and their origin remains unclear to me. I suspect they might be the result of clogged pores, although I cannot say for certain. My skincare regimen includes a cleanser, followed by niacinamide in the morning and retinol in the evening. What procedure can help?

Falguni Patel, MD, FACOG · Answer

From the picture it looks like you have a few Milia's on your face, Milia's are small white/yellow cysts that 
occur when dead skin cells or keratin protein become trapped under the skin. They are very common, the way to get rid of them are either going to an esthetician or Dermatologist and they would be able to remove them. Also another way to help get rid of them is using something stronger then retinol, try to use tretinoin instead.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for providing details about the small bumps on your face. Based on your description, it sounds like these bumps could be several different things, including milia, sebaceous hyperplasia, or other benign skin lesions. Here are some potential procedures and treatments that may help:

Excision: For individual bumps, a dermatologist can perform a simple excision to remove them. This is a quick, in-office procedure.

Electrocautery: This involves using an electric current to burn off the bumps. It's effective for conditions like sebaceous hyperplasia.

Cryotherapy: This treatment uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and remove skin lesions. It's commonly used for a variety of benign skin conditions.

Laser Therapy: Different types of lasers can be used to target and remove these bumps. For example, a CO2 laser can precisely remove the bumps with minimal damage to the surrounding skin.

Chemical Peels: A chemical peel can help exfoliate the top layers of skin, which may help in reducing the appearance of these bumps if they are due to clogged pores or minor skin irregularities.

Microneedling: This procedure can help improve skin texture and may be beneficial if the bumps are related to uneven skin texture.

Topical Treatments: While you are already using niacinamide and retinol, which are great for overall skin health, a dermatologist may recommend other topical treatments or adjustments to your current regimen to better address the bumps.

It's important to have a board-certified dermatologist evaluate your skin in person to provide a definitive diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. They can determine the exact nature of the bumps and suggest the most appropriate procedure for removal.

I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.

Best regards,

Procedures to treat these small bumps on my face? (Photo)

Answers (2)