Enlarged pores: why they appear and how to minimize them
Enlarged pores are often demonized due to their unpleasant appearance, but in reality they are natural "openings" in the skin that coincide with the outlet of the sebaceous glands. Their role is fundamental to ensure the skin a hydrated and soft appearance and above all to make it transpire.
Although in most cases we try to cover them in all ways, the pores are natural. Before proceeding and understanding how to minimize them when they dilate, here is a video with a trick to make makeup last longer.
What are enlarged pores?
As we mentioned earlier, skin pores can appear around 10 years of age and remain visible until around 70 years of age. They affect both male and female individuals of all races.
These are small imperfections considered dynamic structures as they continuously vary in size and shape.
The pores of the skin should not cause any kind of concern unless they begin to enlarge and dilate, becoming a problem on the aesthetic side. Those with oily skin and suffering from overproduction of sebum often suffer from enlarged pores, but there is no need to worry, you can easily get rid of this imperfection by following simple rules.
One of them is to follow a "healthy diet and then regularly take care of the skin of the face with specific products: there are many specific treatments that can help minimize large and very evident pores.
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Enlarged pores: the causes
There are numerous causes that lead to the appearance of dilated pores, but one of them is the genetic predisposition; then there are other reasons such as aging, chronic exposure to ultraviolet light or alcohol, drugs, pesticides, hydrocarbons etc .... and finally acne and seborrhea.
In most cases, enlarged pores are of no medical concern, although for many they are a cosmetic defect experienced with anxiety.
Dermatologists have coined the term "Poressia" to refer to the symptoms of enlarged pores on the face.
The skin releases the sebum through the pores found on its surface, and this process is essential to ensure firmness, tone, elasticity and hydration to the skin. We cannot therefore think of getting rid of the pores, we can only intervene when they become enlarged and become quite evident.
There are three main causes that make pores dilate:
- Excessive sebum production (for people with oily skin)
- Lack of elasticity around the pores
- Increased volume of the hair follicle (the thickness of the hair also affects the size and dilation of the pores).
Then there are a number of internal and external factors that contribute to the dilation of the pores on the face. Let's see the main ones.
- Chronic acne
- Seborrhea
- Action of sex hormones (such as progesterone in women)
- Genetic predisposition
- Damage due to exposure to ultraviolet light
- Exposure to pesticides, alcohol, drugs etc ...
- Unsuitable or infrequent facial cleansing and cleansing
Even using very heavy cosmetics that do not allow the skin to breathe can lead to enlarged pores, especially if the makeup is not removed perfectly in the evening.
Furthermore, exposure to the sun without adequate protection and above all for many consecutive hours, leads to premature aging of the skin, with consequent loss of elasticity and accentuated dilated pores.
Symptoms and Diagnosis for Large Pores
Enlarged pores mainly affect the face and often appear together with blackheads and pimples, especially in people with oily skin. The appearance of the skin for those suffering from this problem usually includes the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) which is very shiny and thick.
What you can do to avoid encountering this imperfection is to do a skin check-up to know its type and know how to treat it better. In this way it will be easier to choose the treatments to do every day to avoid the appearance of dilated pores and above all the makeup to apply that does not worsen the situation.
If this targeted strategy is insufficient, the doctor may suggest the use of real drugs that require a prescription and must be taken under strict supervision.
How to minimize enlarged pores: all treatments
Each subject is unique and for each one the most suitable treatment must be studied so that there is a reduction of dilated pores. In general, it is possible to use drugs and therapies that act on two levels, on the one hand they reduce the production of sebum and on the other they improve skin elasticity.
Among the most effective drugs to treat dilated pores c "is isotretinoin, able to limit the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Other active ingredients are:
- drugs with anti-androgenic action
- hormonal contraceptives
- leaf extract of Orthosiphon stamineus
- salicylic acid
- L-carnitine
- 2% niacinamide
Facial cleansers recommended for oily skin or large pores are free of oils, waxes or greases that could aggravate the condition. Furthermore, it is important to check that moisturizers, sunscreens and other topical products do not contain comedogenic substances, i.e. substances that favor the formation of comedones (blackheads).
Here is a list of treatments to use in case of enlarged pores:
- Laser treatment and botulinum toxin
Diode laser treatment aims to necrotize the sebaceous glands and thus minimize the production of sebum. There is also a treatment based on botulinum, useful for reducing the production of sebum and the formation of related skin imperfections.
- Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a treatment that involves smoothing the skin surface and eliminating enlarged pores in a few sessions.
- Diet
A healthy, high-fiber diet can help minimize enlarged pores and excess sebum that are accentuated by dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Anti-aging interventions
The aesthetic medicine treatments useful for minimizing pores include IPL (pulsed light), fractional bipolar radiofrequency and laser. Also in this case, the goal is to stimulate the production of collagen that characterizes our skin and thus determine a narrowing of the pores.
It is good to remember that sun protection is essential at any age to counteract skin aging. Finally, effective hair removal can also help improve the problem of enlarged pores
Final tips and natural remedies
To reduce the problem of large pores or prevent it, there are a few tricks you can practice.
- Make sure you always have an effective, constant and lasting cleansing of the facial skin, since the accumulation of impurities tends to make the pores widen in an attempt to expel them.
- Cleansing, tonic and make-up remover milk must always be suitable for your skin type, allowing you to remove any residue left by make-up and traces of dirt and reducing the risk of enlarged pores, blackheads and comedones.
- Be careful, however, not to overdo it with aggressive products: too frequent washing of the skin will tend to crack it and as a reaction it will tend to produce more sebum.
- Two or three times a week, do a scrub to help remove dead cells, especially suitable for oily and oily skin to prevent enlarged pores.
- Even oily skin needs hydration: choose creams with light formulations based on water or in gel format, they are ideal for reducing imperfections due to enlarged pores.
- Limit the consumption of fatty foods and packaged snacks rich in preservatives, prefer a diet based on fruits, vegetables, proteins and simple carbohydrates.
- Once a week, make a green clay mask: it absorbs the sebum and tightens the pores, helping to make the skin appear more toned and compact.
- Use apple cider vinegar as an astringent tonic: just soak a cotton pad and tap into the areas of the face with dilated pores, leave to act and then rinse.
- Lemon juice is also a great astringent. Apply to the face, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse. To be repeated three times a week.
