The Truth About Pores
Q~ Why do my pores seem so large?
A~ The word “pore” refers to the visual part of the follicle. The amount of sebum (oil) the skin produces is due to genetics. The size and number of glands that our skin have is also linked to genetics. As the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands) produce oil, the follicle dilates to accommodate the amount of oil that passes through the follicle to the skin’s surface. If the skin is dry, there is less oil production, and therefore the pore appears smaller. Therefore, oily parts of the skin have larger pores and dry skin has smaller pores. Also, as we age, and gravity as well as damage to the skin occurs, the pores may begin to seem larger, as they stretch out. They are less able to contract and “bounce back” as they were when they were younger.
Q~ Can pores shrink?
A~ Although many skin care products out there claim that they will “shrink pores”, pore size cannot actually be permanently reduced. That being said, the appearance of pore size can be diminished with regular use of quality skin care and treatments. By removing cell build-up and debris on the follicle walls, pore elasticity can increase, making the pore less apparent.
Q~ What Causes Clogged Pores and why do they seem to reappear so quickly?
A~ There are several forms of clogged pores. *Retention hyperkeratosis is a genetic tendency for cells to build up inside of the pore and causing the follicle wall to thicken. *The overproduction of sebum by the oil glands in the skin, also genetic, coats the dead cell accumulation. The sebum oxidizes and the head of the impaction becomes darkened. Larger versions of this are known as open comedones, or “black heads” These are very noticeable, and are easily extracted by a trained professional. A blackhead takes several months to develop. *Smaller clogged pores, such as on the nose are known as sebaceous filaments. The density of these are much thinner than that of a fully-developed comedone, and are mostly just sebum, so they tend to reoccur much sooner after they are cleaned out.
Q~ What about pores that are always big, even after treatments?
A~ If there is scar tissue, sun damage, or other irritation present, pores will tend to always look larger even after a facial or toner. Scar tissue may cause pores to be unresponsive to treatments. When the skin is sun-damaged, it can cause collagen and elastin loss, resulting in enlarged pores. These follicles are mostly found on the nose and inner cheeks.
Q~ How do I treat clogged pores??
A~ Controlling dead cell accumulation inside the follicle is key to clearing clogged pores over time. Even though facials can remove clogged pores, they do not stop the continual build-up in the follicle. This is why it is a continual problem. Facials are an important part of keeping the skin clear, and helping to “jump-start” healthier skin, however the proper home care regimen is key to keeping the skin healthy long-term. A daily routine of the proper cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer will help to break up impacted follicles, and keep them clear. All too often people will stop using the correct products once their skin clears up, however it is very important that remember that cell buildup is a continual problem, because it is genetic.