Milia vs Closed Comedones: How to Tell the Two White Bumps Apart, and Why It Matters
Dr. Hyunji Kim
2026-09-296 min read
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hyunji Kim · Last reviewed
I'm Dr. Hyunji Kim, director and lead physician at Delphic Clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinnonhyeon Station. I trained at Korea University Medical Center and I am a member of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology & Hair. Small bumps, spots and texture problems are a routine part of my week, for local and international patients alike.
Milia vs closed comedones is a question I hear in some form almost every week, usually as a photo on a phone: are these whiteheads, and why won't they come out? The two look alike and are treated very differently. This page is how I tell them apart, and what I would do about each.
A two-minute check you can do in the mirror
Why milia will not pop, however hard you try
Milia are tiny pockets of keratin sealed under the surface, with no open pore to escape through. Pressing on them pushes against intact skin, which is why people end up with red marks and no progress. Under the eyes, where the skin is thin, this is how small scars start.
Why closed comedones keep coming back
A closed comedone is a pore blocked by oil and dead skin. Removing one does not stop the next from forming if the conditions behind it remain: heavy or pore-clogging products, oil production, or a tendency to acne. That is why extraction alone often feels like it didn't work.
The first treatment for a white bump is the right name for it. Everything after that follows.— Dr. Hyunji Kim, Delphic Clinic
How I treat each one
Milia
I make a tiny controlled opening and remove the contents, spot by spot. Healing is usually quick. The same small-lesion approach applies to moles and skin tags, and I described what those spots look like as they heal in my note on mole removal before and after.
Closed comedones
Gentle extraction clears the current ones, and the plan that follows matters more: a simpler skincare routine and, when breakouts are part of the picture, acne treatment. I compared the acne options I actually use in acne laser treatment in Seoul.
Prices for small spot removal
| Mole Removal 1 Spot (2mm or less) | ₩10,000$10 |
| Mole Removal 1 Spot (over 2mm) - Price varies by size | ₩20,000$10 |
| Body Mole Removal 1 Spot (Varies by size) - Price for over 2mm varies by size | ₩20,000$10 |
| Milia/Wart/Skin Tag Removal 1 Spot (Varies by size) - Price for over 2mm varies by size | ₩20,000$10 |
| Mole removal (1 mole, 2mm or more) | ₩20,000$10 |
| Removal of 1 body mole (varies by size) | ₩20,000$10 |
| Removal of 1 seborrheic keratosis/wart/skin tag (varies by size) | ₩20,000$10 |
Milia are priced per spot on the same menu as moles, warts and skin tags. If you have many, tell us the rough number and area in advance so we can plan the time.
When a white bump needs a proper check
- It is growing, bleeding or changing colour.
- Many bumps appeared suddenly or are spreading.
- It is painful, hot or inflamed.
- You are simply not sure what it is.
Verified Google reviews
4.7 · 260 Google reviewsI received ONDA lifting and Juvelook Skin treatment at Delpic Clinic. Before the procedure, Dr. K carefully examined my skin condition and explained everything in a kind and easy-to-understand way, which made me feel very comfortable and reassured. During the treatment, I could really tell that Dr. K was highly skilled, so I felt confident and at ease throughout the entire process. Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience. It’s definitely a clinic I would love to visit again.
I had a really great experience at Delphic Clinic. The staff were very friendly and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. They explained everything clearly in English and didn’t try to oversell unnecessary treatments, which I really appreciated. The clinic is very clean and modern, and the whole process felt professional and well-organized. Overall, I would definitely recommend this clinic, especially if you’re a foreigner looking for a trustworthy place in Korea.
If you have been squeezing the same bumps for months, stop and let me look. In a free one-to-one consultation I will tell you what they are and whether they need removal, extraction or just a change of routine. English and Chinese interpreters are on site, you pay the same price as a Korean patient, and we are one minute from Exit 3 of Sinnonhyeon Station.
Get a free 1:1 consultation
Message our English-speaking team — same price as locals, no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between milia and closed comedones?
Milia are tiny cysts of trapped keratin under the skin surface, usually firm, pearly white and common around the eyes. Closed comedones are blocked pores filled with oil and dead skin, usually softer, skin-coloured to white, and common on the forehead, cheeks and chin.
Can I squeeze milia?
Please don't. Milia have no open pore, so squeezing mostly damages the surrounding skin and can leave marks, especially under the eyes. They are removed with a tiny controlled opening by a doctor.
How are milia removed at Delphic Clinic?
Milia are removed spot by spot. Milia, wart and skin tag removal is ₩20,000 per spot and varies by size, before VAT. International patients pay the same price as Korean patients.
How are closed comedones treated?
Closed comedones respond to a combination of gentle extraction, skincare that keeps pores clear, and acne treatment when there is a tendency to breakouts. They tend to come back if the underlying cause is not addressed.
When should I see a doctor about white bumps?
If the bumps grow, bleed, change colour, spread quickly, or you are not sure what they are, have them checked. Some other conditions can look similar and need a different approach.
Written by
Dr. Hyunji Kim
Dr. Hyunji Kim is the director and lead physician at Delphic Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul. She trained at Korea University Medical Center and personally performs consultations and procedures for both local and international patients.
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