Knowing how to narrow the pores on your face, you can stop wasting time on ineffective means and immediately start experimenting with effective methods. It must be said that wide pores can be not only the result of improper care, bad habits, poor ecology, but also a feature of the skin. In the latter case, it is quite difficult to improve the situation, but with comprehensive and systematic care it is quite possible.
Etiology and pathogenesis
The most common cause of enlarged pores on the face is sagging skin due to aging. As the main proteins of connective tissue - collagen and elastin - degrade with age, the skin begins to sag, and the pores gradually increase in diameter and become noticeable.
Pores may expand due to excess sebum associated with increased sebum production . Sebum accumulates in the pores along with horny scales and dirt particles, causing them to swell and become visible. Often this condition is accompanied by acne. It is significantly aggravated by the abundant use of decorative cosmetics , which “clog” the pores and contribute to their expansion.
The presence of enlarged pores on the face is associated with gender : men, on average, have larger pores compared to women. However, reaching puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and hormonal fluctuations have a significant impact on the size of pores, which is why they can appear in women.
In addition to gender characteristics, enlarged skin pores are inherited . If these skin changes are present in close relatives, one should expect the appearance of a similar problem in children.
Photodamage plays a certain role in this pathology . Excess solar radiation disrupts the functioning of mitochondria, causing a decrease in their ability to capture oxygen and synthesize ATP, which inhibits cell migration and division. Ultraviolet light changes the expression of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), which is a major regulator of the activity of matrix metalloproteinases that are involved in collagen remodeling. Ultraviolet light also stimulates the release of cytokines that suppress the immune response, disrupts the structure of elastin fibers, reduces the density of the microfibrillar network in the area of the dermal-epidermal junction, and increases the activity of proteolytic enzymes. All this leads to multiple changes in the skin and, in particular, to the appearance of enlarged pores.
One of the reasons for the appearance of enlarged pores on the skin of the face may be the frequent and repeated use of chemical peels, accompanied by an inflammatory reaction: a paradoxical phenomenon, given that peels are used to reduce enlarged pores. In this case, the aesthetic defect even has a special name - “ peeled skin ”.
The best cosmetic procedures for facial skin
Today, when beauty salons in Rostov-on-Don are open, you can do useful cosmetic procedures for your face. Verdi beauty salons offer the best cosmetic procedures. Our cosmetologists work in compliance with all safety measures.
It can be difficult to choose which procedure is best to do. It depends on many factors - the time of year, age, skin problems, contraindications. It is best to consult with a professional cosmetologist who will select the appropriate cosmetic procedure or set of procedures for your facial skin.
In the meantime, we offer the top 10 facial cosmetic procedures that you can sign up for in our beauty salons today.
Clinical manifestations
Enlarged pores on the face appear as visible round or irregular crater-shaped depressions on the skin ( Fig. 1 ). Their number on the cheeks varies on average from 10 to 90 pcs/cm2. In the literature, the facial topography with enlarged pores is sometimes compared to the surface of a golf ball ( Fig. 2 ).
There are very few studies on this topic, but there is data on the density of enlarged pores among various ethnic groups, obtained from a survey of more than 2,500 women aged 18–80 years from various countries around the world ( Table 1 ).
Table 1. Average number of enlarged pores per square centimeter of skin depending on the ethnicity and age of women (Flament F., Francois G., Qiu H., et al. Facial skin pores: a multiethnic study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2015; 8: 85–93)
| Ethnic group | 18–29 years old | 30–39 years old | 40–49 years old | 50–59 years old | 60–69 years old | >70 years |
| Europeans | 63,96 | 62,22 | 64,49 | 59,93 | 61,13 | – |
| Brazilians | 91,26 | 81,75 | 68,7 | 61,73 | – | – |
| Indians | 82,68 | 79,91 | 77,12 | 77,53 | 73,56 | 71,19 |
| Chinese | 21,13 | 23,24 | 20,77 | 24,51 | 20,20 | 21,66 |
| Japanese | 67,41 | 69,64 | 69,78 | 72,44 | 69,75 | 68,83 |
As you can see, the skin of women living in China has the fewest enlarged pores, while women living in Brazil have the most enlarged pores. Women in European countries occupy an intermediate position. You can also notice a tendency for the number of enlarged pores to decrease with age.
Rice . 1. Enlarged pores on the face (American Academy of Dermatology, AAD)
Rice. 2. Skin with enlarged pores resembles the surface of a golf ball.
Radio wave face lifting
Radio wave face lifting radically solves the problem of skin aging. The VERDI beauty salon in Rostov-on-Don invites you to a radio wave facial lifting procedure using modern Italian REVITAL RF equipment.
As a result of radio wave lifting:
- facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds are smoothed out;
- crow's feet disappear;
- rosacea goes away;
- hyperpigmentation decreases;
- the facial contour is tightened;
- the double chin is removed.
Principles of treating enlarged pores on the face
General recommendations for caring for skin with enlarged pores:
- Wash your face with warm, but not hot water. High water temperatures can irritate the skin, causing pores to become larger in diameter.
- When washing, touch your face as gently as possible. Excessive friction irritates the skin and provokes inflammation, which makes pores more noticeable.
- For skin care, you should choose mild and non-comedogenic cosmetics.
It has been found that after 15–30 days of use, 6% green tea extract noticeably evens out the microrelief of facial skin - it becomes smoother, and the pores become narrower. An objective increase in skin elasticity and firmness was also recorded.
Black willow bark contains tannins, some of which are almost identical to those found in green tea. They have an antiseptic, protective effect in the treatment of enlarged pores and help narrow pores, including on aging skin.
Bitter cucumbers contain cucurbitin (3-aminopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid), a substance of the triterpene class, which, in combination with aromatic aldehydes, tightens pores and smoothes the skin.
Growth factors help restore damaged blood vessels, reduce skin dryness, narrow pores and even out complexion. The most popular is epidermal growth factor (EGF) , which stimulates the growth and division of epidermal cells. At the same time, there is also an increase in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin - as a result, the appearance of aging skin improves, and pores narrow.
Enlarged pores can be treated with retinoids . They affect the proliferation and differentiation of basal keratinocytes, accelerating the renewal of the epidermis. This helps cleanse the skin, narrow the pore diameter and reduce excess sebum production.
Another method of treating enlarged pores is physical and chemical peels . For example, chemical peels tighten pores, strengthen skin barrier functions and reduce TEWL, inhibit oxidative stress and neurogenic inflammation, promote oxygenation, and have a bactericidal and sebum-regulating effect. However, it is important not to overdo it, so as not to get “peeled skin”.
A variety of hardware techniques can be effective in treating enlarged pores. On the one hand, these are purely “therapeutic” approaches that normalize the function of the sebaceous glands and the proliferation of epidermal cells, which ultimately leads to an aesthetic effect in the form of a reduction in pore size. These include RF therapy, non-invasive carboxytherapy (genO+ device), as well as techniques whose action is based on heating the dermis, for example, M22-IPL.
Another group of hardware methods for treating enlarged pores combines fractional lasers: they are used to remodel the dermis and smooth the surface of the skin. Lasers such as Clear+Brilliant, Fraxel and M22-ResurFX have been clinically proven to reduce pore size.
Microcurrent facial therapy
The procedure is recommended for the following problems:
- pale, sallow complexion;
- swelling and bags under the eyes;
- fine and deep wrinkles;
- loss of elasticity and sagging of the face due to age-related changes or sudden weight loss;
- oily seborrhea and rosacea;
- the appearance of pigment spots from hormonal imbalance or prolonged exposure to the sun.
Microcurrent therapy procedures are carried out to slow down the aging process of facial skin, prevent stagnation and swelling.
Why does the production of skin secretions increase?
Even those with oily skin can look great if they eat right and take proper care of their face. But health problems will cause acne even in girls with normal skin. The following factors can contribute to increased secretion of skin secretions:
- Hormonal imbalance (increased testosterone levels in the blood). Quite often this situation is observed in boys and girls during puberty.
- Poor nutrition. Excess fatty acids in food leads to thickening of the skin secretions. This makes it difficult for him to come out.
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin. The sun makes it rougher, and there is more oily shine on the face.
- Infection in the body.
- Hereditary factor.
Before you can quickly shrink your pores, you should take your health seriously. A complete examination of the body will make it possible to identify the main causes of increased sebum secretion and clogged pores. In-salon cleaning can only provide temporary results.
Skin care after procedures
According to the recommendations of leading cosmetologists, you need to wash your face in the morning only with melted water or mineral water. After numerous studies, it was found that this method of washing creates an acidic environment on the skin, providing protection against bacteria after cleansing.
Also, skin care after procedures includes vitamin replenishment of the epidermis. Vitamins A and E are suitable for this purpose, which are applied along the massage lines with patting movements.
Cleansing the skin correctly
A specialist will help you choose cosmetics that are most suitable for your specific skin type. Various foams and gels are used for cleansing. You should wash your face daily, morning and evening, with special products. There is no need to repeat the procedure more than twice a day.
For many people, simple baby soap and clean water are enough to take care of their face. It should be noted that plain tap water is not a suitable option for washing. It is very harsh and contains impurities that can harm the skin. It is better to use filtered water or boiled water.
Cleansing the skin with steam baths
If your skin does not have any inflammation or rosacea, then regular cleaning of pores using steam baths will be useful. This way you can remove sebaceous plugs, makeup residues, sebaceous secretions, and dead skin cells. Steam baths by themselves will not get rid of blackheads and acne, but they will cleanse your skin well - and that’s already half the battle!
Boil water in a saucepan and remove it from heat. If you have oily skin, add a few drops of essential oil of thyme, rosemary, sage, mint or lemon to the water. For sensitive skin, use lavender or chamomile, and for normal skin, geranium, myrtle, eucalyptus, and coriander are suitable. Hold your face over the steam for 15-20 minutes, taking precautions, and after completing the procedure, rinse your face with warm water.
Steam baths are recommended to be used 1-2 times a week for oily skin, and up to 1-2 times a month for normal and dry skin. After the procedure, it is recommended to make a therapeutic face mask (read about them below). Be careful when using hot water!
