Roughly estimated, four to five out of ten women who seek consultation are unhappy with their enlarged pores. Enlarged pores can be a source of frustration for many women. But how do pores become enlarged? Firstly, everyone has pores, which are a normal part of skin tissue. However, some people may have larger pores than others, and in severe cases, it can resemble orange peel skin, which can be alarming.
Pores are the common outlet of hair and sebaceous glands, which means that they are a source of oil. Excessive oil secretion can cause pores to expand. The T-zone and sides of the face are where the sebaceous glands are concentrated, making them the most affected areas for enlarged pores. To make matters worse, when oil combines with dust and oxidizes, it can block the pore opening and create blackheads, making the appearance less attractive.
Some people naturally secrete more oil, and when pores accumulate a large amount of oil for an extended period, the pores can become enlarged. Apart from genetic factors, environmental factors are also essential. When the skin is dry and unprotected from the sun, collagen and elastin fibers will begin to break down, causing the pores to lose their support and become loose. Additionally, frequent squeezing of pores (such as with needle extraction) can lead to skin inflammation, leaving scars and enlarged pores. Therefore, if you don’t want pore problems to worsen, it’s essential to pay attention to these factors.
Many cosmetics and skincare products claim to have pore-tightening effects, so it’s essential to be cautious when choosing them. Most skincare products only remove excess oil, unclogging the pores, or use alcohol to tighten the pores, which are only temporary solutions. To minimize enlarged pores caused by excessive oil secretion, vitamin A acid or salicylic acid can be used to reduce oil production, reducing blockage, and the pores will slowly shrink over time. However, for pores that are already too large, increasing collagen is necessary to tighten them. Since pores extend from the epidermis to the dermis, laser treatment using a segmented laser that can reach deeper layers is needed to achieve visible results.