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URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17221.htm

Skin characteristics

Skin characteristics

Overview

It is common for a newborn to have fine, soft, light-colored hair called lanugo covering the forehead, cheeks, shoulders and back. Some newborns also have enlarged sebaceous glands appearing as small white dots on the face called milia. Both of these characteristics are normal and will disappear after a few weeks.

Review Date 11/6/2023

Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.