Causes of Large Pores
Pores are the small openings of hair follicles. They are found on all areas of the body except the palms of hands and soles of feet. A pore’s function is to allow sweat, sebum (the body’s natural oil), and toxins to leave the body. Every person has them, but the size of pores depends on multiple factors, including genetics and aging. While many factors contributing to large pores are out of your control, you can take steps to minimize their appearance.
Genetics
People with oily skin, which is typically an inherited trait, are prone to developing large pores. If your skin is oily, it can cause the pores to look larger because oils tend to thicken your skin. On the bright side, there is a benefit to having oily/thick skin: oily skin retains more moisture, which can help counteract dry skin and visible wrinkles as you age.
Aging
Age is another determining factor when it comes to pore size. As you grow older, your skin loses its elasticity and reduces its collagen production. This causes the skin to stretch and sag, making the pores on your face appear larger. Your skin also thickens as you age, which causes minuscule skin cells to gather around your pores, making your pores look bigger.
Other Factors
Sun damage, clogged pores, and sex are also contributing factors to large pores. Years of sun exposure damages skin cells and can cause the skin to thicken. Sun damage also causes skin cells to collect around the edges of your pores, which stretch them out.
Pores become clogged when an excess amount of dead skin cells and sebum gather in them, causing pores to look enlarged. Blackheads – tiny, dark bumps on the skin caused by clogged hair follicles – can make your pores look larger by drawing attention to them, or they can actually increase pore size by expanding the area of your pores.
In general, men tend to have larger pores than women. Women might experience enlarged pores more often during hormonal changes, however, particularly during menstruation.
Treatments for Large Pores
DermaHealth offers treatments that can help unclog pores, reduce their appearance, and give your skin a smoother, more youthful look. Your solution could be as simple as a chemical peel, or you may choose one of our many laser treatments.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a non-invasive way to treat large pores, acne, and oily skin, and they can be combined with other treatments and services for optimal results. We offer a wide variety of chemical peels, including peels safe for individuals with sensitive skin. At DermaHealth, we understand that each individual is unique. Therefore, we proudly provide free consultations to discuss your treatment options and customize a plan to fit your needs and budget. Visit our Chemical Peels service page for more information on the variety of peels we offer.
Lasers
DermaHealth offers multiple lasers to treat large pores, including the Cutera CoolGlide laser – one of our most popular treatments. Our CoolGlide laser treatment offers a non-invasive approach to minimizing the appearance of large pores and has minimal to no downtime. Because many of our lasers treat multiple skin issues, clients who receive our laser treatments may see added benefits, including reduced fine lines and wrinkles and improved skin tone and texture, among others.
For more information and to see if you’re a candidate for our treatments for large pores, schedule a complimentary consultation with DermaHealth today.
