Some skin conditions are just plain stubborn. Unfortunately, that's the case with large pores. Shrinking large pores is both desirable and difficult--thus presenting unscrupulous product manufacturers and skin care practitioners another irresistible chance at your wallet. Here's what you need to know for the sake of your skin and your pocketbook.
The size of your skin pores depends on your genetic makeup more than anything else. If large pores run in your family and you weren't lucky enough to get a pass, you will be like others with a variety of skin conditions that get handed down through the generations such as oily skin, stretch marks and more troublesome problems like psoriasis. For so many skin conditions like these, the first thing to do is to set your mind to improving the overall appearance of your skin rather than banishing the problem completely.
If you have large pores, be advised that creams and lotions are unlikely to have much effect at all. You might as well save your money.
Options that seem like they might work but in many cases have little impact on pore size include microdermabrasion, IPL (intense pulsed light) and chemical peels. If you try one of these, you may see a reduction in areas of hyperpigmentation, improvement in rosacea and even a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin may look brighter and healthier, but your same old pores will still be with you.
If you are determined to try treatment by an expert, visit a dermatologist or medical skin care clinic with a variety of different lasers. Some professionals tout one or two different lasers as actually shrinking pore size--the Fraxel Restore laser has some good reviews for this purpose. Others say the overall improvement in skin texture produced by their favorite laser simply makes pores look much better. To avoid some serious cash outlay for a minimal result, be sure to do research on experts in your area, discuss different laser options with one or two and ask to see before and after pictures. Finding out the policy for dissatisfied customers is advisable as well.
Doctors all agree on one course of action for large pores: taking steps to prevent them from looking worse than they already do and--horrors--growing even larger. A one-two-three punch is best:
If you have oily skin, find ways to keep oil from pooling in your pores and making them look bigger. Use facial products including makeup designed to fight excess oil. Blot or wash your face during the day if needed.
Keeping your skin clean with mild cleansers and exfoliants is also important. This will stop bacteria and dead skin cells from clogging your pores, stretching them and making them look larger.
Protecting your skin from sun exposure is another key to minimizing large pores. Sun damage can accentuate just about any skin problem, including making your pores look wider and deeper.
Many skin experts will tell you that there's little you can do to make a fundamental change in the size of your pores. One dermatologist suggested you remember that your colleagues, friends and loved ones are unlikely to notice the size of your pores, even if they seem like craters to you. Yet another physician advised that pores are a natural component of your skin, and skin without pores at all would seem mask-like and very unnatural.
None of this is what you want to hear if you're hoping to shrink large pores, it's true. But do know that the better care you take of your skin, the better it will look overall. Try investing in expert skin advice and treatment from time to time, choose a few prescription-strength creams as you age, protect your skin from the elements, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep, and you could find yourself not too concerned about the look of your pores.