Shh! Anti-agers no one but you need know about: Do you know of an easy way to banish my white milia?

Q I’m over 80 and one of my biggest concerns is the milia — those little white spots known as milk spots — on my face. Do you have suggestions for treatments that could help?

A ‘THESE small white or yellow lumps under the skin (they cannot be squeezed because they sit too deep) are usually caused by a build-up of skin cells or keratin, and can get worse with age as our cell turnover decreases,’ says Dr Rabia Malik (drrabiamalik.com).

‘They often self-resolve, but if they’ve been there for longer than three months, you should see a specialist.

‘An experienced aesthetician or doctor can freeze the lesions off with liquid nitrogen, de-roof them with a sterile needle or scalpel and pop the milia out, or use curettage: this applies heat to remove the milia and then seal the skin.’ Expect to pay from £50 and sport a few temporary scabs afterwards.

To stop milia re-occurring, go easy on heavy creams and face oils; either use less of them or consider a lighter hydrator.

Neostrata Restore Daytime Protection Cream SPF23 (£35, dermacaredirect.co.uk) is oil-free and has polyhydroxy acids to keep cell build-up at bay.

It’s also important to exfoliate one-to-three times a week to slough off clogging cells.

Malik favours mild lactic or malic acids for the job. Cultured Biome One Mask, £48 (cult beauty.co.uk), is gentle as well as effective.

• Email your questions to Ingeborg van Lotringen, author of Great Skin, at [email protected]