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Enlarged pores are a problem that affects men more often than women, despite the fact that women are more frequently consulted. The main factor for the presence of open pores is a genetic predisposition (patient whose father and/or mother have similar skin). More seborrheic skins will more often have enlarged pores, as these usually develop after puberty, when the action of androgens triggers the production of oil by the sebaceous glands. Dehydration of the skin and loss of elasticity will also lead to a worsening of enlarged pores.

Black spots

Dermatologically speaking, blackheads, or open comedones, are the accumulation of sebaceous material in the pilosebaceous follicle, that is, in the pore. Although enlarged pores are not synonymous with blackheads, people with enlarged pores will be more likely to have blackheads, not only because the accumulation of material will be easier, but also because in general a skin with open pores will be a more seborrheic skin.

Makeup can clog the pore, thus causing oil to accumulate in the follicle, sebum over-infection and the development of acne. There are specific make-up lines for patients with this problem (we can identify them because the packaging specifies “non-comedogenic”). However, the frequent use of make-up foundations is not recommended for people with acne, because even if they are non-comedogenic, they will worsen acne in the long term.

With age the production of fat in the skin decreases, so blackheads are usually a problem of puberty and adolescence, when the production of fat is higher, while it is rare to see people in middle age with problems of blackheads. However, the problem of pore size persists and may even worsen with age due to the changes that the skin undergoes over the years, such as the loss of water and hyaluronic acid (responsible for hydration), the increase in thickness of the corneal layer (the outermost layer of the skin) and the loss of collagen and elastic fibers (responsible for skin elasticity).

Treatment

There is no “curative” treatment for open pores, basically because they are not a disease but a characteristic of the skin, as is the color of the eyes or the color of the skin. Therefore, the treatments will provide some improvement while they are used, but when they are discontinued, the skin will tend to return to its original characteristics.

Dermatologists recommend the application of products such as retinoids or glycolic acidwhich decrease the thickness of the horny layer and the production of fat and increase the production of collagen. Peelings will also bring a rapid improvement since there is a renewal of the treated skin layers and therefore an improvement of the “imperfection”. In the longer term, the application of lasers, which stimulate the production of collagen and elastic tissue, will be beneficial. Hyaluronic acid mesotherapy can also improve the appearance of the skin in that it produces deep hydration and stimulates collagen production.