Pores may develop due to genetics or being blocked with dirt and oil from environmental exposures; additional factors, like sun damage or age can make pores appear larger than they otherwise would.
Regular skin care regimens and chemical peels may provide some relief, while laser skin rejuvenation treatments can offer even greater impact. They can reduce the appearance of large pores while tightening surrounding skin for dramatic results.
1. Reduce Oil Production
While many skincare products claim to reduce oil and shrink pores, few actually live up to their promises. Instead, the most effective way to address these concerns is with mechanical procedures like laser skin resurfacing.
Non-ablative laser treatments are great options for reducing pore size without damaging the surface of your skin, since they work without damaging its structure. Non-ablative treatments promote healthy cell regeneration while simultaneously minimizing pores. We offer various non-ablative laser skin resurfacing procedures like Clear+ Brilliant, INTRAcel and others which may help.
Radiofrequency microneedling treatments use radiofrequency microneedling to stimulate collagen production while simultaneously shrinking pores. The procedure creates microscopic wounds that prompt your body to repair by producing more collagen and replacing old, damaged cells with tighter new ones less prone to clogging.
As these treatments do not cause damage to the surface of your skin, they are suitable for sensitive skin types as well. We do advise limiting sun exposure for up to one year post treatment by wearing broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on daily basis – this can help avoid hyperpigmentation in treated areas.
Laser skin rejuvenation can also stimulate collagen production, which in turn can reduce pore size by keeping pores firm and elastic as we age. Furthermore, ClearLift may also be effective at helping reduce pore size as it removes damaged cells that clog your pores along with dirt and oil build-up – both contributing factors of increased pore size.
If you’re considering laser skin rejuvenation as a means of reducing pore size, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rokhsar – she’ll recommend the appropriate treatment plan based on your skin type and tone as well as provide detailed information regarding side effects and recovery time. Contact us now to set up your appointment in Atlanta, Marietta or Decatur! We proudly serve clients from these regions!
2. Stimulate Collagen Production
No permanent cure exists for enlarged pores, but there are ways to make them less noticeable. Chemical peels, non-ablative laser treatment and fractional laser resurfacing all offer effective ways of shrinking them while increasing collagen levels to tighten your skin around them. All three treatments work by inducing controlled damage on the surface of your skin which stimulates it to form new cells – and as new skin grows back it makes existing pores smaller and less visible over time.
Before beginning any laser treatment, a skin expert will start by cleansing the area to remove excess oil and dirt, while potentially using topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort. Next, they’ll use laser technology to target those areas on your face or neck where you wish to reduce pore size with laser therapy.
As laser treatments cause damage to your skin, they elicit a healing response. Your natural collagen production increases and pores contract as new skin replaces old. As collagen remodels, fine lines and wrinkles also fade away over time.
Non-ablative laser resurfacing can be particularly effective at stimulating collagen production. Unlike ablative lasers which harm healthy tissue during treatment, non-ablative lasers target only the top layers of your skin while leaving healthy tissues unharmed; thus minimizing downtime to three to ten days.
An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy may also help enhance collagen levels. IPL utilizes intermittent pulses of laser light energy that penetrate the skin, vibrating targeted tissues to kick start natural repair processes within your body that result in new collagen and brighter-looking skin.
If you are planning on using laser treatment to shrink enlarged pores, it is essential that you consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Your best options would include doctors who hold certification from either the American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Dermatology or American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology – they should specialize in your desired procedure and be licensed within your state to conduct it.
3. Reduce Acne
Many have attempted to treat their acne with various products, but oftentimes the solution lies beyond simply washing their faces twice daily and applying moisturizer. Acne is caused by clogged pores which trap bacteria in a cycle: sebum produces oil which dries out skin cells leading to further oil production resulting in larger-looking pores that further aggravate sun damage or form scar tissue formation. Laser treatments offer hope by decreasing both appearance of large pores while treating their symptoms of acne simultaneously.
Clogged pores provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, leading to whiteheads, blackheads and cystic bumps. Furthermore, this bacterial activity may permanently damage underlying skin layers, leading to redness and pitting associated with acne scars. Although not all forms of acne can be effectively treated by laser therapy alone, laser technology has shown great promise in relieving both inflammatory and non-inflammatory cases across skin tones and conditions.
Your doctor will administer laser treatment by administering topical anesthetic to numb the area being treated, depending on its size. A mild sedative may also be provided depending on its size. Once treatment has concluded, they will apply a protective dressing and you should use antiscab ointments if necessary to keep scabs from forming; additionally they may advise applying ice packs every one or two hours as necessary to minimize swelling.
Laser skin rejuvenation treatments available include the traditional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and newer erbium YAG lasers. Your dermatologist will use one or the other laser resurfacing procedures on you in a stamping motion to create small wounds on the skin that promote healing and increase collagen production – as Devgan noted, this form of laser resurfacing can even treat mild to moderate acne scarring! Other options such as radiofrequency microneedling use heat stimulation of collagen and elastin for smooth acne scarring and even out skin tone!
4. Reduce Scars
Reducing the appearance of pores through preventative measures to keep them clean and free of oil is possible, yet may not be sufficient for many people. Clogged, large pores can appear larger than they actually are and scarring from acne or sun damage can further accentuate them – therefore laser skin rejuvenation is an ideal choice to help shrink them down while improving the overall look of your face.
Large pores may be caused by excess sebum production in our bodies to protect against skin dryness. As the natural substance flows more freely than intended, its excessive flow will tire and stretch out pores until they appear larger than they originally were.
Laser skin rejuvenation treatments can dramatically diminish the size of pores with just a few sessions. Laser light energy can break down sebum production while stimulating collagen production – both of which work to minimize large pore appearance.
Laser therapy, both ablative and nonablative, can reduce the appearance of scars that make large pores appear more prominent. For more advanced scars, injection of fillers along with laser therapy may also help address both its shape and color.
If you’re considering laser skin resurfacing, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who is licensed to perform it. A good way to verify if they meet these qualifications is by looking for certification by one or more of three organizations: American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), American Board of Dermatology (ABD) or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD).
Before beginning laser treatment, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you are living with and medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements such as aspirin. Some medications and herbs may increase bleeding during laser treatments and impact their outcomes negatively.
Prior to receiving laser treatment, your physician will provide specific instructions about preparing for it. This typically includes refraining from smoking or taking any medications or supplements which could slow healing, using sunscreen with at least an SPF30 rating as instructed and wearing clothing that covers treated areas in sunlight as this could aggravate scarring.
