Have you ever noticed small bumps on your skin and wondered whether they were skin tags or milia seeds? While both are common, harmless skin growths, they differ in causes, appearance, and treatment methods. Misidentifying them could lead to ineffective treatments—or worse, unnecessary irritation.
In Singapore’s humid climate, where skin issues can be mainly caused by sweat and pollution, understanding these conditions is essential. Whether you’re considering professional aesthetic treatments or home remedies, knowing the difference between skin tags and milia seeds can help you make informed choices for your skin health.
In this article, we’ll break down:
✔ What skin tags and milia seeds are
✔ Key differences between them
✔ Causes and risk factors
✔ Safe and effective removal options
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to deal with these pesky skin concerns—safely and effectively.
What Are Skin Tags and Milia Seeds?
Skin tags and milia seeds are both common skin conditions, but they have distinct causes, appearances, and treatments. Understanding their differences can help in deciding the right approach for removal.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags, or acrochordons, are small, soft, benign growths that develop on areas where skin folds or experiences friction. They are often:
✔ Flesh-coloured or slightly darker
✔ Soft and movable
✔ Attached to the skin by a thin stalk (peduncle)
✔ Found on the neck, underarms, groin, eyelids, and under the breasts
They typically develop due to friction, genetics, or hormonal changes and are more common in older adults and individuals with metabolic conditions like diabetes. While harmless, they can become irritated or unsightly.
What Are Milia Seeds?
Milia seeds, or milia, are tiny, hard, white or yellow cysts that form just under the skin’s surface due to trapped keratin. Unlike skin tags, they are not growths but rather small cysts that form when dead skin cells do not shed properly. Milia are:
✔ Firm and non-movable
✔ White or yellowish in colour
✔ 1-2 mm in size
✔ Usually found on the face (especially around the eyes, cheeks, and nose)
Milia can develop due to clogged pores, sun damage, or the use of heavy skincare products. In newborns, they are a temporary condition caused by immature skin.
Here’s a quick breakdown of comparison of their key characteristics:
| Feature | Skin Tags | Milia Seeds |
| Appearance | Soft, flesh-coloured, or slightly darker growths | Hard, white or yellowish cysts |
| Texture | Movable and soft | Firm and non-movable |
| Size | 2mm to 5mm | 1mm to 2mm |
| Common Locations | Neck, underarms, eyelids, groin, under breasts | Face (around eyes, cheeks, and nose) |
| Cause | Friction, genetics, hormones, metabolic conditions | Trapped keratin, clogged pores, sun damage |
| Discomfort | Usually painless, but may get irritated | Painless and not itchy |
| Treatment Approach | Removal via freezing, cutting, or burning | Exfoliation, extraction, laser treatments |
Both conditions are harmless but may require professional removal if they become bothersome.
Differences Between Skin Tags and Milia Seeds
Although skin tags and milia seeds are both small skin bumps, they differ in their cause, structure, and treatment approach. Understanding these can help determine the right way to manage them.
1. Structure and Composition
- Skin Tags are soft, flesh-coloured growths made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels. They generally hang off the skin by a thin stalk.
- Milia Seeds are small, hard cysts filled with trapped keratin (a protein found in skin). They do not have a stalk and remain under the skin’s surface.
2. Causes and Risk Factors
- Skin Tags develop due to friction, hormonal changes, genetics, and metabolic conditions like diabetes.
- Milia Seeds form when dead skin cells or keratin get trapped under the skin, often due to clogged pores, sun damage, or heavy skincare products.
3. Appearance and Texture
| Feature | Skin Tags | Milia Seeds |
| Texture | Soft, movable | Hard, firm |
| Colour | Flesh-toned or slightly darker | White or yellowish |
| Size | 2mm – 5mm | 1mm – 2mm |
| Shape | Round, dangling or raised | Small, dome-shaped cyst |
4. Common Locations on the Body
- Skin Tags mostly appear in skin folds (neck, underarms, groin, eyelids).
- Milia Seeds are commonly found on the face (around the eyes, cheeks, and nose).
5. Symptoms and Sensations
- Skin Tags are painless but may become irritated if rubbed.
- Milia Seeds do not cause discomfort but cannot be squeezed out like pimples.
6. Treatment and Removal
| Treatment | Skin Tags | Milia Seeds |
| Professional Methods | Freezing, burning, or cutting | Extraction, chemical peels, laser treatments |
| At-Home Prevention | Reducing friction, maintaining a healthy weight | Regular exfoliation, lightweight skincare |
| Do They Go Away on Their Own? | No, they remain unless removed | Some may disappear, but deeper ones require extraction |
Common Causes of Skin Tags and Milia Seeds
While both skin tags and milia seeds appear as small bumps on the skin, their underlying causes are completely different. Understanding what triggers them can help with prevention and treatment.
Causes of Skin Tags
Skin tags develop due to excess skin cell growth in response to friction or hormonal changes. They are more common in adults and certain medical conditions.
1. Friction and Skin Rubbing
📌 Repeated friction from skin-to-skin contact or clothing triggers excess skin growth, resulting to skin tags.
🔹 Common areas: Neck, underarms, groin, under the breasts
2. Hormonal Changes
📌 Skin tags often appear during pregnancy due to fluctuating hormone levels that promote skin cell production.
🔹 Common in: Pregnant women, individuals with hormonal imbalances
3. Genetics
📌 If your family members develop skin tags frequently, you may be genetically predisposed to them.
4. Metabolic Issues and Conditions (Diabetes & Insulin Resistance)
📌 Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistant individuals are more likely to develop skin tags. Higher insulin levels may trigger excessive skin cell growth.
5. Aging
📌 Skin tags increase with age, especially after 40, due to slower skin regeneration and prolonged exposure to friction.
Causes of Milia Seeds
Milia seeds form when keratin (a skin protein) becomes trapped under the skin, leading to tiny, firm cysts. Unlike skin tags, they do not result from overgrowth but rather from blocked skin shedding.
1. Blocked or Clogged Skin Pores
📌 Dead skin cells that do not properly shed can be trapped under the surface of the skin, forming milia.
🔹 Triggers: Use of heavy skincare products, lack of exfoliation, or excess oil production.
2. Sun Damage
📌 Too much sunlight exposure can make the skin thick, making it harder for dead skin to shed naturally, increasing the risk of milia.
🔹 Prevention: Regular sunscreen use and gentle exfoliation.
3. Skin Trauma or Injury
📌 Burns, rashes, and aggressive treatments like laser resurfacing or chemical peels can disrupt skin healing, causing trapped keratin and forming milia.
🔹 Triggers: Over-exfoliation, allergic reactions, skin irritation.
4. Use of Heavy Skincare Products
📌 Thick moisturisers, petroleum-based creams, and certain eye products can clog pores and trap dead skin.
🔹 High-risk products: Occlusive creams, heavy foundations, and oil-based sunscreens.
5. Newborn Milia (Infant Milia)
📌 In newborns, milia develop because their oil glands are still immature, causing trapped keratin. It typically disappears on its own within weeks.
Effective Ways to Remove Skin Tags and Milia Seeds
While skin tags and milia seeds are harmless, they often cause cosmetic concerns. Removal methods vary depending on the condition, with professional treatments offering the most reliable results.
If you are considering skin tag and milia seed removal, AURAMedical provides safe and effective solutions tailored to your skin type.
How to Remove Skin Tags
Skin tags do not go away on their own and require physical removal. While some people attempt home remedies, professional treatments ensure safe and scar-free results.
1. Professional Skin Tag Removal Treatments
| Treatment | How It Works | Best For | Downtime |
| Cryotherapy (Freezing) | Liquid nitrogen is used and applied to freeze and destroy the tag. | Small to medium skin tags | Minimal redness |
| Electrocautery (Burning) | A heated probe burns off the tag and seals the skin to prevent bleeding. | Multiple or larger skin tags | 1-2 days of mild irritation |
| Surgical Excision (Cutting) | The tag is removed with sterile surgical scissors. | Large or stalked skin tags | None (small scab may form) |
📌 Key Tip: Seek professional removal for skin tags in sensitive parts of the face and body like the eyelids or groin to avoid complications.
2. At-Home Skin Tag Remedies (Not Recommended)
Some people try DIY methods, but these can be ineffective or risky:
❌ Over-the-counter freezing kits – Often not strong enough to remove skin tags completely.
❌ Tying off with thread or dental floss – Can cause pain, irritation, and infection.
❌ Cutting at home – Never attempt this, as it can lead to bleeding, scarring, or infection.
💡 Bottom Line: Professional removal is the safest and most effective way to get rid of skin tags permanently.
How to Remove Milia Seeds
Unlike skin tags, milia seeds cannot be squeezed out like pimples. The keratin cyst is trapped under the skin, requiring exfoliation or extraction.
1. Professional Milia Seed Removal Treatments
| Treatment | How It Works | Best For | Downtime |
| Manual Extraction | A sterile needle is used to pierce and extract the cyst. | Stubborn, individual milia | None (minor redness) |
| Chemical Peels (AHA/BHA Peels) | Exfoliating acids remove dead skin layers, preventing milia formation. | Widespread milia, rough skin texture | 2-5 days of mild peeling |
| Laser Treatment | A laser breaks down keratin buildup and resurfaces the skin. | Deep-set or multiple milia seeds | 3-5 days of mild redness |
| Microdermabrasion | Removes the outer skin layer, reducing milia over time. | Superficial milia, dull skin | None |
📌 Key Tip: Avoid picking or squeezing milia, as this can lead to infection and scarring.
2. At-Home Milia Removal Methods
While professional treatments offer the fastest results, certain at-home strategies may help prevent and reduce milia over time:
✅ Gentle Exfoliation – Use AHAs (glycolic acid) or BHAs (salicylic acid) to help clear blocked pores.
✅ Retinol (Vitamin A) – Encourages faster skin cell turnover.
✅ Lightweight Skincare – Avoid heavy creams or petroleum-based products around the eyes.
✅ Sun Protection – Apply sunscreen daily to prevent sun-induced skin thickening.
When to Seek Professional Help for Skin Tag & Milia Seed Removal
While some skin tags and milia seeds may not require immediate attention, there are situations where professional removal is the appropriate and best choice. Attempting to eliminate them at home can lead to irritation, scarring, or incomplete removal, especially if they are located in delicate areas. Consulting a professional ensures that the procedure is done safely and effectively.
When to See a Professional for Skin Tag Removal
Consider seeking professional help if:
✅ The skin tag is changing in size, colour, or bleeding
- While most skin tags are harmless, sudden changes could indicate that there is a deeper issue that needs medical evaluation.
✅ It is located in a sensitive area
- Skin tags near the eyes, groin, or underarms can be difficult to eliminate safely at home.
- Professional treatments ensure precise removal with minimal scarring.
✅ The tag is causing irritation or discomfort
- Skin tags that rub against clothing, jewellery, or skin folds can become inflamed or painful.
✅ You’ve tried DIY removal without success
- At-home methods like tying off or over-the-counter freezing kits may be ineffective, leading to infection or incomplete removal.
📌 Professional Skin Tag Removal Options:
- Cryotherapy (freezing)
- Electrocautery (burning)
- Surgical excision (cutting off the tag)
When to See a Professional for Milia Seed Removal
Seek professional treatment for milia seeds if:
✅ They do not go away on their own
- Some milia disappear naturally, but persistent or deep-set ones require extraction.
✅ There are multiple or clustered milia
- When milia are widespread, manual extraction may not be enough. Chemical peels or laser treatments may be recommended.
✅ At-home exfoliation hasn’t worked
- If regular use of AHAs, BHAs, or retinol does not clear the milia, an aesthetic professional can recommend targeted treatments.
✅ You want immediate and safe removal
- Attempting to pop or squeeze milia at home won’t work and can lead to scarring. A professional uses sterile tools to extract them safely.
📌 Professional Milia Seed Removal Options:
- Manual extraction
- Chemical peels (AHA/BHA exfoliation)
- Laser treatment for deeper milia
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