How Should You Manage Enlarged Pores?

Everyone desires flawless skin. You want your skin to be as radiant and as perfect as possible. That is why you invest time and money buying skin creams, exfoliate, lotions and laser treatment procedures. Unfortunately, many are not able to get that perfect skin that they desire due to having enlarged pores.

Pores are regular openings on the outermost layer of the skin. They are present to encourage the secretion of body oil and sweat that is produced by the body. Depending on your skin type, your pores may not be prominent. Most of the time, the pores that release body oil are the ones that get enlarged, leading to various skin complications

It may not be entirely possible to reduce enlarged pores completely. However, there are variable solutions that can be employed to make them less visible and smaller.

Why Do Pores Become Enlarged?

Your skin is covered by microscopic hairs. These hairs have follicles with pores situated on top of them. Each hair follicle has an oil-producing gland inside it. These glands are called the sebaceous glands. When these glands release oil, the oil collects in the skin pore before being secreted out.

Enlarged pores come into play for different reasons. Some of those reasons include:

1. Excessive Sebum: This is a situation where your sebaceous glands produce excessive oil. This leads to oily skin and enlarged pores.
2. Decreased elasticity: With age, your skin grows less supple and loses its elasticity. If this happens, pores may appear enlarged.
3. High volume of hair follicles: This occurs when the pores become clogged by oil or extraneous matter. If oil combines with dirt or residue from makeup, the resulting mixture can clog the skin pores. This stretches your pores, making them more significant than they are supposed to be.

The rate at which your sebaceous glands produce oil is a function of your genes. It is also dependent on the size of your pores. Enlarged pores are not entirely healthy as they can lead to a variety of other skin conditions.

How Can You Reduce Enlarged Pores?

The best way to treat enlarged pores is to make sure that your skin is as supple as possible, and that your pores are unclogged. At Canada MedLaser, we use microneedling and chemical peel treatments to handle enlarged pores. Of course, these are not the only medical remedies to enlarged pores.

We will discuss the procedural aspects of chemical peels and microneedling as well as the benefits of each procedure. This article also contains information on preventing the development of enlarged skin pores.

Microneedling

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling can be characterized as a minimally invasive beauty procedure. It is designed to treat different skin conditions via exfoliation and collagen production. Sometimes, it is described as collagen induction therapy.
Essentially, microneedling is a skin treatment where tiny needles are used to create micro wounds to promote collagen production beneath the skin.

As a result of these “wounds,” your body will produce more collagen and fresh skin cells to heal the damaged skin. This way, the new cells replace the old one, with beautiful, radiant skin and smaller pores as the final results.

Microneedling should only be carried out by a trained aesthetician. It is a procedure that requires zero downtime and provides visible results immediately. Since no chemical or heat is used during this process, microneedling is perfect for all skin types.

Also, microneedling can be used in combination with other treatment plans. The process creates micro-channels in the outer layer of the skin, allowing beneficial skincare products to reach deeper within the skin for maximum effect.

Benefits of Microneedling

Microneedling is a hugely beneficial skin treatment procedures. Apart from the fact that it is effective at treating enlarged pores. It also:

• Corrects pigmentation and uneven tones
• Reduces wrinkles and frown lines
• Brightens the skin
• Promotes skin hydration
  

How Microneedling Works

As mentioned earlier, this procedure should only be performed by trained medical aestheticians. Your medical aesthetician will guide a particular device across your skin with long smooth strokes. The microneedles attached to the device penetrate the skin, creating microchannels that activate collagen production.

Microneedling works by encouraging your body to produce more collagen for your skin. Its central principle works on the premise that the skin makes fresh collagen-rich tissues in response to injuries.

It also has exfoliating functions.  It removes residue and clogs from skin pores, reducing the size of enlarged pores. The new tissues that are created by the body lead to an even skin tone, textures and minimized skin pores.

Expectations Following the Microneedling Treatment

Following the treatment, throughout the next few days, the outermost layer of the skin will begin to peel off naturally. This exposes the softer, radiant and firmer layer that has been boosted by collagen production. Positive visible changes should be noticed immediately and for the next few months. Sometimes, microneedling effects can take six months to form fully.

You may also notice some form of skin irritation and skin redness for a few days. This is a natural response that should disappear after a few days. Your skin will also be highly sensitive to sunlight, so you should protect yourself with sunscreen.

You can continue your daily activities immediately after treatment. However, for useful results, you may need multiple treatments. Your aesthetician will be able to advise you on the best plan of action.

Is Microneedling Suitable for You?

Microneedling is compatible with all skin types. As long as your goal is to minimize the size of skin pores and brighten your skin, you are good to go. Microneedling also helps to deal with uneven skin tones and textures.

Microneedling Side Effects

Like all other cosmetic treatments, microneedling is not without its risks. The most common side effect is slight irritation. You may also experience some swelling and redness of the skin. Fortunately, all of these unwanted side effects disappear within a few days.

It is important to note that there are some conditions under which you shouldn’t attempt to undergo microneedling. These conditions include:

• Pregnancy
• Presence of open wounds
• Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• Having undergone radiation therapy recently

Cost of Microneedling

The cost of a single microneedling session ranges from $200 to  $1,500. It depends on the size of the treatment area, location, and the medical aesthetic clinic of choice.

Remember that microneedling is an aesthetic procedure. This means that it will not be covered under your health insurance plan. However, most doctors can help you with structuring a favorable payment plan.

Make sure that you have the details of total costs before starting with the procedure. You don’t want to be caught cold by surprise bills.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are another great way to minimize the size of enlarged skin pores. A chemical peel involves the use of specialized acidic solutions to remove the outermost layers of your skin with a view to improving skin texture and appearance.

Chemical peels make enlarged pores less noticeable, are less painful and hold little risk of complications following the procedure.

Chemical Peels Procedure

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or ASPS, stipulates that only solutions with phenols, alpha hydroxyl acids, and trichloroacetic acids are acceptable for chemical peels. At Canada MedLaser, we make use of glycolic acid peels which are mild and effective.

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that usually occurs in fruits. This makes it safe for people of all skin types. The exact formulation of the chemical peel can be adjusted depending on your unique needs. AHA chemical peels are mild on the skin. So much so that you may need a couple of treatments before you achieve your desired results.

Sometimes the glycolic acid used may be mixed with other equally effective facial washes to enhance the texture of your skin. This means that as the appearance of your enlarged pores is being minimized, so also will your skin texture be improved.

After your skin is treated with glycolic acid, the old and damaged layers of your skin will peel off naturally. This leaves you with smoother and brighter skin that has smaller pores.

Considerations for Chemical Peels

During the procedure, it is very reasonable for you to experience a warm sensation. This sensation may last for as long as ten minutes. Depending on the intensity of your conditions, you may require a deeper chemical peel. If this is the case, you will be provided with pain medication before and after the procedure.

The recovery time for chemical peels is minimal. At the most, you may need about two weeks to recover fully from the effects of the treatment. Sometimes, you may only need a day or two.

Some side effects that are to be expected following chemical peels include:

• Redness
• Skin irritation
• Slight swelling
• Stinging feeling

Chemical Peels After Care

Following your treatment session, you will need to make specific changes to your daily routine to make sure that the effects of the treatment are visible and long-lasting. Some of those changes include:

• Wash your face two times every day with an oil-free facial cleanser. This decreases the possibility of blackheads.
• Your skin will be extra sensitive following the procedure. Therefore, it is recommended that you wear sunscreen that provides you with maximum protection.
• After your face has healed completely, exfoliate twice weekly to remove damaged skin cells that surround your pores.
  

Related article: How Can I Fight Acne Scars

Other Ways to Reduce Large Pores

The two treatments mentioned above are very effective ways of reducing the appearance of enlarged pores. However, for some, they may be pricey alternatives. To reduce the appearance of large pores, there are several other steps that you can take.

Some of those steps include:

1. Using Only Water-based Products

If you suffer from oily skin, then as much as possible, use only water-based skin products. This saves your skin from the damaging effects that can be caused by products with extra oil.
Excess oil can cause your pores to become larger. It can also cause a host of other skin conditions including acne and blackheads.

2. Wash You Face Twice Daily

This perhaps one of the most basic tenets of skin care. It is also the one that is ignored by most people. Washing your face regularly is essential. This is an activity that should be carried out with warm water and facial cleanser.
Washing your face in the evening and the morning is a habit that washes away oil, residue, and dirt from your skin pores. This reduces the appearance of skin pores, effectively minimizing their sizes.

3. Using Gel-based Cleansers

You may be born with oily skin, but that doesn’t mean that you should have enlarged pores. Your large pores may be a factor of the type of facial cleanser that you use. As much as possible, try to use a gel-based cleanser.
Other cleansers can leave residue in your skin pores but not gel-based ones. Gel-based cleansers clear all oily residue from your skin thoroughly,  moisturizing your skin and reducing the appearance of pores.

4. Exfoliate Regularly

Exfoliating your skin helps to get rid of blockages. If you have oily skin, you should exfoliate twice every week. Through exfoliation, foreign matter such as dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells will be removed from your skin.

Take special care to use products that contain salicylic acid. This is a naturally occurring substance that removes debris from your pores. Additionally, do not exfoliate more than twice a week. If overdone, exfoliating can cause your skin to dry out.

5. Moisturizing Everyday

You may think that it is unnecessary for you to moisturize daily especially if you have oily skin. However, it is a surefire way to reduce the size of skin pores. Moisturizing lotions are hugely beneficial for your skin.

They hydrate your skin and soften it. This makes it easier for sebum to penetrate the pores in your skin as opposed to sitting on the surface. This way, it prevents sebum and oil from clogging up your skin pores.

6. Using a clay mask

Clay masks can help remove oil from your pores. This prevents them from getting larger in the first place. You can use a clay mask as many as two times every week.

However, it is reccomended not to use clay masks on the days that you exfoliate your skin. If you over treat your skin, the resultant effect will be an irritation. If your skin is irritated, your skin pores will appear enlarged, and blemishes may occur.

7. Removing Makeup Every Night

Make it an essential part of your day to remove makeup every night. Most makeup products contain residue that can block your pores if left overnight. You can use cleansing wipes if you are in a hurry. Otherwise, it would be more effective to buy a simple makeup removal product.

8. Wear Sunscreen

The sun has ultraviolet rays that can be dangerous for your eyes. If you expose your skin to the sun without adequate protection, it is entirely possible that your skin will dry out. If this happens, your skin pores will appear larger.

Using sunscreen daily will protect your skin from the harsh effects of the sun. Rub it on all exposed body parts. Other ways through which you can protect your skin from the sun include:

• Wearing hats and caps
• Staying in the shade as much as possible
• Using umbrellas when necessary
  

Promoting Healthy Skin

Your skin is an integral part of your physical appearance. If your skin is not healthy, it may lead to problems with self-consciousness and self-confidence. Healthy skin is so much more than minimized pores. You can make sure that your skin is as healthy as possible by:

1. Eating well: A balanced diet that includes essential nutrients such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins will improve the overall health of your skin. If your diet is a healthy one, this will be reflected in your skin.
2. Drinking water: Drinking a lot of water promotes skin hydration. Water has the unique ability to be able to hydrate your skin from within. The more water you drink, the brighter and more radiant your skin will look.
3. Exercising: Regular exercise is an activity that improves blood circulation to all body parts. It also makes you sweat, a situation that is good for the skin. Sweat contains a naturally occurring antibiotic that is good for the skin. As long as you shower immediately after exercise, you are good to go.

The appearance of enlarged pores can be reduced. By following the skin care tips outlined above and undergoing appropriate cosmetic procedures, enlarged pores can indeed be a thing of the past. At Canada MedLaser, we have expert medical aestheticians that will be able to determine the best course of treatment for you. Contact us today for a free consultation!