Skin Pores - Causes and Methods to Reduce Them

Introduction:

It is not easy to reduce pores as easy as it sounds. You cannot get rid of them or change their size; instead, you can minimize their appearance to a certain extent. They appear different based on the causes, such as enlarged pores when collagen in the skin breaks down due to sun, aging, etc., and present as a blackhead if the pores are clogged with dirt and oil. However, there are some ways to minimize the appearance of these pores.

What Causes Skin Pores to Occur?

• Genetics: Individuals inherit the same skin type from their parents. So if family members present with large pores, it is possible that the child can present with the same. Such genetically predetermined pores are difficult to minimize.

• Aging: It leads to the depletion of collagen and elastin production, which present as wrinkles and large pores.

• Ultraviolet Rays: Exposure to ultraviolet rays decreases the skin's elasticity, thereby leading to enlargement of the pores and other signs of aging.

• Excessive Sebum Production: Individuals with excessive natural oil production from the skin can present with acne and pores.

How to Reduce Pores?

There are certain remedies to make the large pores less noticeable.

They are,

• Wash Your Face: Washing your face regularly is the initial step to minimize the pores. Wash with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water in the morning and before going to bed, wash your face with a cleansing oil followed by the gentle cleanser you use in the morning. Do not sleep with makeup unremoved. To remove makeup, use an oil-based cleanser that helps clean the clogged pores. Washing your face before and after a workout is also important. Working out releases more heat and sweat from the body which dilates the blood vessels around the pores and makes them more visible. So wash your face to remove the dirt and bacteria after a workout. The application of any skincare product after washing your face will gain you the best results.

• Facial: Regular facial can eliminate the pores temporarily by mechanical exfoliation of the skin. The appointments can be fixed based on the aggressiveness of the pores. Facial using glycolic acid and salicylic acid gives glowing skin, treats hyperpigmentation, and minimizes the large pores.

• Choose Makeup Products Wisely: Check whether the products you use for makeup contain oil-absorbing powders or blurring pigments which help in minimizing the appearance of pores.

• Apply Sunscreen: The ultraviolet rays from the sun breaks down the collagen around the pore walls. Thus, applying sunscreen when stepping out is necessary.

• Use Ice Rollers: They are effective against redness and puffiness and are used to constrict the pores temporarily.

• Chemical Peels: The chemical peels incorporated with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid help in reducing the pores and are best proven for skin smoothing. They can be customized based on the skin type of an individual.

• Exfoliation: The main step in the skincare routine is to exfoliate. The use of alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid adds up benefits to the process. They help in dissolving the oil and dirt that get clogged inside the pores and eliminate them. Exfoliation aids in removing the dead cells built inside the pores. Exfoliating twice or thrice a week for an individual with oily skin is good. For an individual with sensitive skin, exfoliation should be done once a week.

• Masks: Using clay or charcoal masks is temporarily effective against pores. They remove the bacteria, and oil settles in the pores. Since their effect is temporary, they can be repeated twice a week.

• Skin Tightening Treatment: It is a non-invasive procedure wherein a radiofrequency or ultrasound is focused on minimizing the pores on the skin. The mechanism behind it is the use of heat energy to increase collagen and elastin production in the skin. Results are usually visible only after a few weeks or months.

• Microneedling: It is an invasive procedure wherein multiple needles are rolled or pressed to a specific depth into the skin which creates a superficial wound that stimulates collagen production and causes skin healing.

• Laser Treatment: Laser-focused on the area to be treated creates an injury that activates wound healing and encourages the formation of healthy tissues, thus reducing the pores.

• Fillers: Injecting hyaluronic acid fillers into the skin can increase collagen production and minimize the pores.

What All to Avoid?

• Avoid popping or rubbing the pores on the skin, spreading bacteria, and enlarging the pores.

• Avoid chronic exposure of bare skin to the sun as the ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin, break the collagen, and increase the size of the pores.

• Avoid over-exfoliation, which creates microtears in the skin.

• Avoid applying ice directly on the skin as it can damage delicate tissues and decrease blood flow, causing some skin issues. Apply ice by wrapping it in a towel.

What Are the Home Remedies to Reduce Pores?

There are certain home remedies to manage the large pores on the skin, such as,

• Aloe Vera: It is a natural cleansing agent that cleanses, tightens, and hydrates the skin and unclogs the pores.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: It cleanses, tightens the skin, and rescues inflammation.

• Banana Peel: It contains lutein which is an antioxidant. Lutein in combination with potassium, helps tighten the pores and rejuvenates the skin.

• Papaya Mash: It is rich in antioxidants and helps reduce blemishes and unclogs the pores.

• Egg White Mask: It helps in improving the elasticity of the skin.

• Cucumber: Due to antioxidant properties and high water content, cucumber helps in hydrating the skin and unclogging the pores.

• Honey: It is a natural moisturizer that cleanses the skin, tightens pores, and improves skin quality.

• Fresh Fruit Pulp: The pulp of any fruit is rich in antioxidants and helps in cleansing, toning, and hydrating the skin. It also removes the dead cells and tightens the pores.

Conclusion:

Stay away from your magnifying mirror. Nobody looks at your skin the way you look. So to reduce the connecting dots that you visualize in your skin, stay cool, understand that you can only minimize its appearance, and follow some basic skincare routines to experience the best results.