Enlarged pores are an unfortunate result of hereditary and environmental factors affecting the skin, particularly the T-zone of the forehead and face. Pores are exit sites for things such as sweat glands and hair glands. For those who have a hereditary predisposition to oily and porous skin, or who have an inflammatory condition such as rosacea or acne, there are things you can do to reduce their size. Large pores, also called macro-pores, can be treated in a variety of ways, including through laser, which increases the collagen content of the skin surrounding the pore, reducing its size. Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) can be used to reduce the size of pores by minimizing the inflammatory condition that may give rise to the large size, and by enhancing the collagen content of the skin around the pores. Fractional technology can also be used alone or in combination with the laser and IPL to deliver energy through a small micro-needle system into the deeper layers of the skin, where the glands reside. Overtime, treatments can result in enhanced thickness of the dermis, collagen content and elastin, which makes pores appear smaller, less apparent and sometimes invisible. Combination therapy of laser, IPL and Radio Frequency will also attack the actual sweat glands themselves, reducing their number and activity, minimizing any recurrence of the pore or the formation of new pores.

Age spots, also known as liver spots and solar lentigines, are flat, tan brown or black spots. Usually you’ll find them on face, but they can also appear on the hands, shoulders and arms. Typically what causes age spots is sun exposure. They can vary in size, but are most common in adults over the age of *50 – those who have been exposed to the sun the longest. Consistent tanning is another cause of age spots, as UV light accelerates the production of melanin. Over time, increased sun exposure can cause melanin to become “clumped” or produced in high concentrations, leading to unsightly age spots.

Although age spots are usually harmless, they can be quite an eye sore. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened or removed. Using Laser or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) in combination with Dynamic Pulse Control (DPC), melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) can be destroyed without damaging the skin’s surface. After each treatment, age spots fade gradually over *several weeks or months. Non-invasive laser really is the best option since it has few side effects.