While you might not be able to rid your skin of pores, it's true that nose strips can temporarily make pores look smaller. By removing blackheads, the strips clear out the black- or brown-colored blockage. This can make pores appear as if they're smaller or gone.
Pore strips can damage more sensitive, thin skin and even pull out both skin and hair. That's why there's a warning within the instructions to only use nose strips about once a week. Overusing nose strips can make your skin actually look worse. Pore strips can be abrasive, causing skin irritation and turning red.
“Pore strips work by removing the superficial portion of the blackhead,” explains dermatologist and director of Minneapolis-based Zel Skin Clinic Brian Zelickson, MD. “The adhesive will stick to the upper portion including the oil or sebum and pull the 'material' out.
"Pore strips can help (very) temporarily to improve the appearance of pores, but there is no permanent change or improvements to the skin achieved with such a strip," she says. Logistics aside, there's something about nose strips that simply makes them highly gratifying to use.
The Final Takeaway. While pore strips are a fun and satisfying way to unclog your pores, the dermatologists we consulted are not convinced they're worth the possible damage they can cause to the skin. Stick with other, safer–albeit slightly less exciting–methods when deep cleaning your pores for better results.
Increased Pore Size: False
However, according to Dr. Tanzi, there simply isn't any proof that pore strips can make your pores larger. “Pore size gets worse with age and sun exposure or conditions like rosacea, which run in families,” she explains, “the size of pores is based on genetics, too.”
Blackheads can sometimes go away on their own — it depends on how deep blackheads are in your skin. If a blackhead is close to the surface of your skin, it's more likely to go away on its own. However, some blackheads can be deeply embedded in your skin.
According to Dr. Neal Schultz, NYC dermatologist, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz, it may have something to do with the size of your pores. He notes that pores can vary in shape and depth, which means the pore strip might not be able to penetrate as deeply as it needs to on all pores.
After you remove a blackhead, your pore will appear smaller. That's because the dirt and oil have been removed. Swipe a toner, such as witch hazel, over the area to kill any bacteria you may have spread and to condition your pores. You may want to avoid directly touching the area while your skin heals.
Pore strips are unlikely to cause any real damage. However, they may cause redness and skin irritation, especially for those with skin disorders like rosacea or psoriasis, or for patients using prescription acne medications.
They work best when they are used right after your skin has been exposed to moisture. Applying pore strips right after a shower or after the skin has been exposed to steam are both perfect times. Moisture helps pores slightly open, loosening the plugs and allowing for easier removal.
King said to follow instructions on the box carefully, and to make sure you don't leave the strips on for too long — if the strip has completely dried out by the time you peel it off, it's more likely to traumatize or tear skin.
'You should absolutely not squeeze blackheads. Squeezing a spot can push the inflammation deeper and this can cause scarring of the skin,' she says. Squeezing a spot can push the inflammation deeper and this can cause scarring of the skin.
It's actually completely normal for you to have some holes initially after removing blackheads. This is because the dirt and debris filling the pore is suddenly gone, leaving a small space.
If pores are infected, the skin can become inflamed and cause acne, which is the inflammation that results from clogged pores. The pores can also become inflamed if the blackhead isn't treated.
"It is typically just pulling out oil and sebum." Another reason why using them is so satisfying is that they can temporarily make your pores appear smaller cleaner, she says (plus you can actually see the gunk that comes out of your nose on the other side of the strip).
Each follicle contains one hair and a sebaceous gland that produces oil. This oil, called sebum, helps keep your skin soft. Dead skin cells and oils collect in the opening to the skin follicle, producing a bump called a comedo. If the skin over the bump stays closed, the bump is called a whitehead.
These nose strips are absolutely amazing! They work so good! These aren't too aggressive on the skin you should be fine with using them with your nose ring.
When you pull off a pore strip you can see the results—but you might be mistaken about what you're actually looking at. When removing a dried pore strip, you want to start from the outer flanks working inward, being careful not to move too fast. (This should not be treated like a strip of hot wax, you guys.)