Studies of oral isotretinoin (Accutane) and topical tretinoin (similar to Retin-A) and tazarotene have shown all three medications to be effective in decreasing pore size. Glycolic acid peels, with or without vitamin C, have been shown to decrease pore size appearance.
Tretinoin (brand name Retin-A; see Important Safety Information) is an effective prescription for treating acne that's been used by dermatologists for years. It works by unclogging pores, decreasing oil production, and reducing inflammation—all of which are causes of acne.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser Resurfacing
This is broadly considered to be one of the most effective treatments for open pores. It is also one of the most aggressive treatments. The treatment works by burning the top layers of the skin off, which in turn generates a healing response.
Treatments to Minimize the Appearance of Pores. There are many different treatment options to reduce the appearance of pores and improve the overall texture of your skin. Most procedures are painless and can be performed in your dermatologist's office with no or very few side effects.
Skincare products can make your pores look smaller by exfoliating the skin—or cleaning out dead skin cells and oil from the pore. Pores that are cleared of blackheads and blockages will look less obvious. The surface of the skin will also look brighter, smoother, and more even.
Microneedling is a versatile solution to a wide range of skin blemishes and imperfections. By increasing collagen and elastin production, this effective skin rejuvenation procedure improves your skin's texture and laxity. Microneedling can address a variety of common cosmetic concerns, such as: Enlarged pores.
Retinol promotes skin cell turnover and unclogs pores.
Studies show that applying retinol cream reduces pore size and keeps them cleaner, emptying the impurities that otherwise give an oversized appearance. Retinol is most effective when used as night cream.
Dermatologists can administer laser therapy treatments to resurface your skin. This in-office procedure can help with a variety of skin woes, including reducing the appearance of large pores. The laser exfoliates the top layer of skin and encourages collagen to form below.
Exfoliation. This is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, thereby clearing pores of the accumulation of this debris as well as collected oil and dirt. This can be achieved through chemical peels, such as glycolic and salicylic acid peels, or through regular facials.
Getting regular facial treatments can reduce the appearance of pores, as the esthetician will perform extractions to remove blackheads and debris in the pores and also exfoliate dead skin cells that cause pores to appear larger. Book your facials 3-4 weeks apart for faster and better results.
A dermatologist can help when at-home skin care methods do not work. They may use the following techniques to treat clogged pores: Extractions: Using special tools, dermatologists can safely extract plugs of sebum, which could cause blackheads or whiteheads, from the pores.
Manual extraction involves using the fingers wrapped in gauze or cotton, while mechanical extraction involves using a special metal tool called a pore extractor. A pore extractor is a stainless steel implement with a loop on either end.
Vitamin A
“Vitamin A promotes skin health, reduces visible signs of ageing like open pores, fine lines and pigmentation spots.
The initial skin tightening and pore reduction can be seen immediately after treatment. However, you won't see your final microneedling results until four to six weeks after your anti-aging treatment.
3. Pore-minimizing laser treatment: A laser treatment is considered the best way to treat and tighten enlarged pores. It can be classed into the following 2 types: Non-ablative laser: this type of laser causes no damage to the skin surface.
Luckily, we can effectively treat large pores with microdermabrasion, a painless facial procedure wherein your face is sandblasted with micro crystals. This quick treatment option delves deep into the skin's surface to alleviate oil and debris, shrinking pores.
Usually, genetics determine larger pores. But, oily skin, sun damage and aging can be other factors that make your pores look bigger. While you can't change the size of your pores, you can minimize the appearance of enlarged pores.
Most people with large pores are simply born that way, likely having inherited their specific skin type. As we age and our skin loses its elasticity, it will often stretch or sag. This can cause pores to expand over time, making them more visible as we age.
Exfoliation, sun protection and professional treatments with an esthetician are your best bet. To help mitigate a slower desquamation process, incorporate gentle exfoliation into your daily skin care routine, along with professional peels that clear away build up of dead skin cells.
For that reason the average amount of time before you see results with OTC retinol is usually 12 weeks or longer. That's not to say that there are no benefits during the first few months, they just may not be very noticeable.