Skincare Treatments to Win the Battle Against Open Pores
One of the most common facial skin issues is open pores. No matter what skin type you have —oily, dry, normal, or combination— it contains millions of open pores, as this is how the skin “breathes” by releasing sebum (natural oil) onto the surface.
The thing is, open pores on your face often get enlarged or clogged with dirt and bacteria. This makes them more noticeable, especially in the “T-zone,” and affects the skin’s texture and appearance.
Mind you, open pores can’t be closed or removed completely. However, there are treatments you can do to effectively improve their appearance and make them less noticeable, or to help prevent clogging in the first place.
In this article, we’ll go over all things open pores: what causes them, how to diagnose them, and what you can do to treat them.
What Causes Large Open Pores?
We asked our skincare experts at Complexion MedSpa & Aesthetics and they told us that there are several factors responsible for enlarged pores:
- Excessive levels of oil (sebum) production
- Sun damage or too much sun exposure
- Hormonal changes
- Acne-prone skin
- Thick hair follicles
- Genetics
- Reduction of collagen production in skin
- Aging
How Can You Tell You Have Large Pores?
First of all, it’s important to clarify that you should consult with a professional. The expert skincare provider will perform a quick examination of the area and determine the condition of your pores based mostly on the following factors:
- Pore size
- Location or skin area
- Size of the affected skin area
Once the professional finishes the assessment, he or she will review your medical history, lifestyle and dietary habits, and hormonal health to figure out the cause of the skin issue and recommend a personalized treatment if needed.
Treatment for Open Pores
To reduce the size of your facial pores and improve their appearance, do the following:
Cleanse your face daily
Clogged pores or combination skin can make your pores look larger. That’s why it’s important to have a daily cleansing routine to prevent clogged pores and minimize oiliness. When you clean your face, make sure to:
- use warm water (never hot!)
- use a non-comedogenic cleanser
- avoid scrubbing because it will irritate your skin
Use sunscreen every day
As we stated before, sun damage can lead to enlarged pores, mainly because excessive sun exposure reduces skin firmness. So, it’s key to apply water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even in winter or when it’s raining.
Exfoliate
Another great way to make pores less noticeable is by exfoliating your skin. This will help remove anything that might be clogging your pores, such as excessive oil and debris. There are different types of products you can use, such as astringents, creams, and lotions.
If you choose to do this at home, however, make sure to be gentle on your skin to avoid damaging it. We recommend seeing a professional dermatologist to determine if exfoliation is the right choice for your skin, and the correct type of exfoliate necessary.
Advanced Cosmetic Treatments
Aside from self-care and skincare routines that you can practice at home, there are also advanced treatments you can get to reduce your pores’ size. Here’s a list of some of the most effective ones:
- Microneedling radiofrequency: This treatment uses microneedles to release radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers of your skin, stimulating collagen production and decreasing the visibility of enlarged pores.
- Chemical peels: These peels help control excess sebum production and are designed to gradually improve your skin’s appearance and texture.
- Comedone extraction: This procedure removes non-inflamed acne blockages from the skin, specifically open comedones or blackheads and closed comedones or whiteheads.
Please remember no treatment can actually remove large open pores or “close” them. In fact, pores tend to expand with age; it’s a natural process that everyone will eventually go through.
However, advanced skin care treatments, along with a good home regimen can help reduce large open pores, ultimately giving you a smoother, more radiant complexion.
At Complexion MedSpa & Aesthetics, we have a team of professionals that combine medical treatments with cosmetic procedures to provide you an effective, customized plan and get results. Having a good skincare regimen and consistency is the key required in obtaining results.
Don’t wait another day—call our office directly at (252) 773-0841 to start treating your open pores. You can also send an email to info@atlanticbeachmedspa.com or fill out the form on our website and a member of our team will get back to you with all the information you need.
