If you’re wondering how to shrink large pores, the reality is that while you cannot alter the size of your pores, there are effective medspa treatments that can make your pores appear smaller. Whether your enlarged pores are genetic or caused by treatable factors, such as excess sebum (oil) production, acne, sun damage or non-comedogenic makeup, a trained medical provider can customize a treatment plan, inclusive of an at-home skincare routine, to make your pores less noticeable and your skin more even.
WHAT CAUSES LARGE PORES ON THE FACE?
Pores are microscopic openings in the surface of your skin that are located around sweat glands and hair follicles. Each hair follicle has its own sebaceous gland, which creates sebum, a type of natural oil. The purpose of pores is to release the sweat and sebum your skin continuously produces.
Enlarged pores refer to deeper depressions in the skin’s surface that contain one or more openings to your sweat or sebaceous glands and appear bigger to the naked eye. Multiple factors contribute to large pores; however, genetics mostly determines pore size. If your parents have larger pores, you will likely have larger pores — you may also have oiler skin, too.
That’s because excess sebum is a significant contributor to larger pore size. The oilier the skin, the more likely it is to actively release oil through wider openings in the skin’s surface. Other potential factors that lead to enlarged pores on the face include clogged pores, which make pores expand and look more noticeable, as well as decreased elasticity around pores, which occurs with aging.
COMMON SKINCARE MISTAKES THAT ENHANCE LARGE PORE APPEARANCE
Pore size is predetermined by genetics and skin type, and while they can’t be eliminated, they can be minimized. It’s important to keep pores open, clean, and free of sebum and keratin. A blocked pore expands, making it look even larger. A combination of topical products and medical treatments can help to mildly constrict the pores.”
When treating pore size, we often see patients making common skincare mistakes that can actually clog your pores and cause more harm than good:
- Using an extractor tool or squeezing pores. While this may seem like a simple solution, you’re more likely to damage and even scar the skin. (In general, any type of extraction to the skin should be left to a professional.)
- Using steam heat to ‘close’ the pores. A heavy dose of heat is more likely to dry out the skin, leaving the pores looking even bigger. Since the skin’s sebaceous glands create sebum to compensate for moisture loss, anything that dries out the skin (including makeup and beauty products) will emphasize pores.
- Avoiding sunscreen. Sun exposure can dry the skin, making pores appear larger. Additionally, without a layer of medical-grade sunscreen, unstable molecules (known as free radicals) enter your skin cells and damage their ability to repair themselves.
- Skipping a face wash. Regardless of your daytime routine, pore-clogging particles collect on your skin. Cleansing your face twice a day helps shrink the look of pores by breaking up any blockage and allowing your pores to return to their natural shape. We recommend washing your face twice a day or more after heavy sweating or doing sports using a gentle, medical-grade cleanser.
SKIN TREATMENTS TO MINIMIZE THE APPEARANCE OF PORES
Where skincare mistakes fail to improve pore size and appearance, medspa treatments excel. These medspa treatments cleanse the pores of any excess dirt and debris, curb excess sebum production, and improve skin elasticity to drastically reduce the appearance of large pores.
1. CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels address enlarged pores by deeply cleansing the skin and encouraging turnover at the cellular level. During a chemical peel, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) is applied to raise the skin’s acidity level, which loosens dead cells, removes superficial skin layers, and promotes the regeneration of new skin cells. Chemical peels can be customized for oily and congested skin to help eliminate the extra sebum that clogs and widens pore size.
2. BBL TREATMENT
BBL (Broadband Light) is a popular treatment among men and women because it has long-lasting anti-aging and rejuvenating effects without any downtime. A BBL treatment reduces fine lines, wrinkles and redness, shrinks large pores, evens out skin tone and texture, reduces acne breakouts and minimizes scarring. It even works on rosacea and other complexion issues.
3. MEDICAL FACIALS
Medical facials incorporate medical-grade skincare products to penetrate deep beneath the skin’s surface and address concerns on a more targeted level. Any type of medical facial can help reduce the appearance of large pores and make your skin glow for days, namely because they help to exfoliate the skin’s surface and unclog pores. In particular, a DiamondGlow provides a dose of deep exfoliation and rich moisture to help skin release less oil for smaller-looking pores. During a complimentary consultation, your provider will recommend the right medical facial that holistically addresses your concerns.
