Open pores on the face are an aesthetic concern for many people as they are very noticeable and may make one look unappealing. Have you been struggling to reduce the appearance of your visibly enlarged pores? This article will take you through some of the best treatments for open pores. If you are at risk of open pores or don't want them, here are some tips to prevent them. But, before jumping onto the prevention and treatment, let's first understand what open pores are and their causes with a top skin specialist in Bangalore, Dr. Rasya Dixit. Read on for more details.
What are Enlarged Open Pores?
Pores are microscopic openings on the skin surface that allow oil, sweat, and toxins to pass through the body. By releasing natural oils onto the skin's surface, pores allow the skin to breathe and stay moisturised. Each pore has sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Collectively, pores of minute size provide a smooth texture to the skin.
Open pores refer to enlarged pores that make the skin appear rough. They are of varying sizes and shapes, like O, U, and Y. There are different kinds of open pores. O-shaped pores are round and tend to appear on the T-zone of the face, where the skin is oily or prone to acne breakouts. U-shaped pores are the result of dry skin. Y-shaped or water-drop-shaped pores tend to appear on cheeks due to collagen loss with ageing.
What Causes Open Pores?
Multiple factors are responsible for open pores, including:
- Enlarged or over active oil glands: Excess sebum secretion causes hair follicle openings to expand, resulting in the appearance of large/open pores.
- Excessive sun exposure: Sun damage leads to extra sebum production in the skin and may damage the collagen and elastin fibres. Both extra sebum and loss of skin structural protein fibres can lead to open pores.
- Ageing: Aging gives normal-sized pores a stretched appearance. It results in collagen and elastin loss. As collagen and elastin that sustain the pores degrade over time, the pores get loose, pulled, and appear more prominent. The pores can appear crater-like in older people due to decreased skin elasticity and strength.
- Thick hair follicles: Thicker hair follicles have a larger follicular opening, which results in open pores. The pores expand to facilitate the flow of natural oil.
- Genetic and heredity: Genetic predisposition and ethnicity are critical intrinsic factors that create open pores.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal imbalances cause sebaceous gland hyperactivity, and excessive sebum production produces open pores.
If you have open pores and are looking for open pores treatment in Bangalore, you can get them treated with Dr Rasya Dixit's effective dermatological procedures.
You can also watch this video by her on open pores and their management-
What are the Best Treatments for Open Pores?
Pores are not the issue; instead, large open pores are. The open pores treatment in Bangalore aims to reduce the appearance of the pores but not entirely remove them.
Here are the best dermatologist-recommended in-office treatments for open pores:
- Chemical peel: This is a chemical exfoliation approach in which special acid solutions are applied over the open pores. Different kinds of chemical peels are available, including superficial, medium, and deep. The expert applies the acid that best suits the patient's skin type, depending on the depth and size of the open pore.The chemical peel treats open pores by removing dead skin cells from the top layers, allowing skin regeneration and fresh collagen synthesis. Mild and medium-strength acids must be repeatedly applied over the open pores every few weeks to optimally fade their appearance.
- Microneedling: Another advanced treatment reduces the size of open pores while suppressing sebum production. It boosts collagen and elastin formation and promotes skin regeneration, which decreases the visibility of enlarged pores. This treatment is particularly helpful in treating open pores caused by ageing.Microneedling is performed with a vibrating micro pen device that has a needle with a width ranging from 0.25 mm to 3 mm. The needle helps create micro-punctures in the skin that the body takes as micro-wounds and responds by boosting collagen production.
Nowadays, traditional microneedling results can be enhanced by combining radiofrequency therapy. Rf microneedling works to create micro-injuries in the skin and simultaneously transfer heat generated by radiofrequency to the skin dermis.The same microneedling technique can even be done with a dermaroller. A dermaroller is a skincare device with a handle and a roller head with fixed tiny needles on its surface. The needles help create ultra-tiny pricks in the skin of 0.3 mm or smaller. This allows the skin's wound healing response to begin and collagen production, eventually making the skin plumper and smoother.Only mild side effects, such as swelling, bruising, irritation, itching, and discolouration in the treated area, are seen, which usually resolve within two days. Multiple treatment sessions are generally needed to achieve the desired results.
- Fractional CO2 laser skin resurfacing: Certain lasers can help treat open pores, including Fractional CO2 laser. These ablative lasers that remove the skin's outer layers, promoting new skin growth. Simultaneously, they generate thermal energy that penetrates the skin to heat the skin dermis and promote fresh collagen and elastin synthesis. The new collagen and elastin fibre that is formed contributes to healthier, firmer, and tighter skin.The procedure involves first cleaning the treatment site and then applying topical anesthesia. Anesthesia helps keep the skin numb and ensures the treatment is non-discomforting. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the practitioner uses a handheld laser device to precisely target the treatment area. A topical antibiotic is applied after the laser light is focused onto the entire treatment area. Multiple treatments are needed to get optimal results. The treatment is highly effective and straightforward, with a higher patient satisfaction rate.
How do you take Care of your Skin after the Open Pores Treatment?
A dermatologist gives patients a few aftercare instructions to follow. Follow their recommendations to enjoy the best results from the open pores treatment.
Some general aftercare guidelines are provided below:
- Follow your dermatologist's directions for covering and caring for the treated areas
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated on the first night after treatment
- To avoid eye discomfort, use the suggested lubricant
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure
- Avoid taking a shower in hot water
- Keep your skin hydrated and moisturised
- Continue to apply the prescription ointment as needed
- Use products that do not irritate the skin
- Apply mineral makeup only, if needed
- Avoid heavy physical activity for 2–3 weeks following the procedure.
What are the Best Tips to Prevent Open Pores?
- Wear broad-spectrum sunblock and sun-protective clothing when going outside during daytime hours. This can help prevent skin from dehydrating and producing extra sebum, which can cause open pores
- Keep skin well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
- Before going to bed, always clean your makeup
- Take a healthy diet. Do not eat foods rich in fat and carbohydrates
- Keep your body active by regularly exercising
- Avoid stress and get proper sleep daily.
Open pores can occur due to ageing, sun exposure, and lack of proper skin care. If you have them and want to get them corrected or get flawless skin, take the help of dermatologist Dr Rasya Dixit, an open pores treatment doctor in Bangalore at Dr Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic.
