Enlarged Pores - Causes & Treatments
Everyone has pores on their face. They are small openings in your skin that allow sweat and sebum to escape from your body. Pores are also called hair follicles, and they can be found near the surface of your skin--but you won't see them unless you look very closely. Depending on genetics as well as other factors such as sun exposure and aging, pore size can vary widely from person to person. In hot and humid weather, pores tend to appear larger and more noticeable on the nose and cheeks.
What Causes Enlarged Pores
Large pores are caused by a variety of factors, both internal and external. Some of the most common causes include:
Genetics
Genetics has a significant role to play in the size of pores on the skin. Large pores can be inherited from our parents, with genetics determining the size of the pores and the amount of sebum that is produced.
Age
As we age, our skin changes in many ways. One of the changes that is often seen is an increase in the size of pores. It can happen because the collagen and elastin which keep our skin taut and firm as we age is prone to break down due to oxidative stress. During the process of breaking down these fibers, pores can become larger and more visible as they become wider.
Overactive oil glands
If you have a genetic predisposition to excessive sebum production, you will experience oily skin and bigger pores. With excess skin surface oil and inadequate exfoliation, dead skin cells accumulate inside the pores, making the pores appear even larger. The consequence of these oil plugs is more whiteheads (closed comedones), blackheads (open comedones), and pimples. Individuals with large pores or open pores tend to look like they have dull skin, lifeless and aged.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure is one of the major causes of large pores. Sun exposure damages the skin's elasticity and collagen, which can cause the pores to become larger and more visible. Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure can also cause the skin to become dehydrated, resulting in a further enlargement of the pores. Additionally, sun exposure can cause an increase in the production of sebum, leading to clogged pores and enlarged pores.
Lifestyle
Unhealthy lifestyle habits can also influence the size of your pores such as smoking, alcohol, stress, processed food, inadequate cleansing or using harsh products. These lifestyle habits can also contributes to larger pores and affects your overall skin.
How to Minimize Large Open Pores with Treatment?
Pore size is genetically determined, so it is impossible to shrink them. However, what you can is to minimize the appearance of them and prevent them from becoming bigger. In Ensoul Medical Clinic, our doctor's approach to enlarged pores treatment is a combination of medical grade facials, laser rejuvenation, laser toning, gentle skin resurfacing lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). As this treatment is safe and comfortable, you will not experience any pain nor downtime during the course of treatment. It can also be done as a lunchtime procedure and continue your usual activities without interruption.
Tips of daily skin care regimen to reduce large pores
Aside from laser treatment, it is also important to invest time and effort in your daily skin care regimen.
1. Select water-based skin care products instead of oil-based, to keep your skin unclogged.
2. Cleanse your with gentle facial soap and gently exfoliate your skin at least once or twice per week.
3. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 everyday.
4. Remove your make up before bed, because leaving your make up overnight can clog your pores
5. Avoid food that are high in sugar and fat and eat more balanced diet such as fruits and vegetables