Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to effectively destroy pigmented hair follicles, thus inhibiting further hair growth. It works best on areas that contrast between skin tone and hair color – for example dark hair against light skin.
To maximize the results from laser treatment, there are a number of steps you can take in preparation and recovery from sessions.
1. Cleanse Your Face Daily
An essential step of any skincare regimen is maintaining an effective cleansing routine, and daily cleansing with large pores should be top priority. Cleansing is vital to clearing away dirt, oil and grime that builds up over time to leave skin looking dull and clogged; cleansing also ensures any products applied post-cleanse will absorb fully for maximum effectiveness.
Large pores can be both cosmetically unappealing and lead to other skin conditions, like acne. Their large openings provide passageways into deeper layers of your skin for excess oil, bacteria and dead cells to enter. Large pores may result from factors like excess sebum production, genetics or in environments with high sweat and oil production rates – leading to larger pore sizes being a result.
As there are various different kinds of cleansers on the market and each will impact your skin differently, it’s essential that you select an effective cleanser tailored specifically to your skin type. Also be sure to utilize an effective eye cream and moisturizer alongside facial serum or mask products. For dry or sensitive skin types, gentle cleansers may be more appropriate.
Be sure to give yourself an extra dose of TLC by gently exfoliating both your face and neck when washing them – this will stimulate circulation while ridding yourself of dead skin cells that contribute to a dull complexion. Rinse, then pat your skin dry using a clean towel – avoid using one which may contain debris from hair or body products which could clog up pores further!
There have been a lot of claims about shrinking pores, but it’s important to remember that your pore size is genetically determined and only some amount can be reduced through proper skin care, diet and laser hair removal treatments at your local medspa. While having large pores doesn’t automatically lead to acne breakouts, excessive sebum production may increase blackhead formation or make existing breakouts worse.
Laser hair removal can reduce the size of pores by extracting excess hair that contributes to their size, as well as stimulate collagen production that reduces fine lines and wrinkles while making skin appear more radiant. When selecting a salon for laser hair removal treatments it’s important to be cautious as some laser treatments can damage skin in ways other treatments don’t, therefore seeking advice from a licensed professional who takes the time to understand your goals before suggesting treatments that will best meet them safely for you and your skin type is ideal.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
At present, your natural pore size cannot be changed; however, with regular skin care and in-home treatments you can make them appear smaller and less noticeable. Clogged pores and excess oil may enlarge them; but exfoliation, applying pore masks, and using matte makeup are effective strategies to diminish their visibility.
Pores play an integral role in helping your face and body release heat, sweat, and other toxins from within, but when these pores become excessively large or clogged with sebum they can quickly become an eyesore and make your appearance unattractive.
Exfoliation is one of the best ways to keep pores clear, minimize damage and prevent them from becoming clogged with dirt, dust or other debris. Exfoliation techniques such as facial scrubs, chemical peels or at-home devices like Clarisonic brushes can all be effective ways of exfoliating, but laser treatments like Q-switched laser therapy and fractional CO2 laser treatment offer one of the most efficient means for deep exfoliation – they effectively shrink pores while clearing away dead skin cells causing them to appear larger than before.
Non-comedogenic products such as Perricone MD’s Pore Minimizing Toner are excellent choices to eliminate excess skin oils that make your pores appear larger and more noticeable. Mattifying toners are another great choice as they even out skin tone, remove blemishes and discolorations as well as minimize their appearance by absorbing excess oil.
An effective homemade remedy to reduce the appearance of pores is using a homemade pore mask. You can make one yourself by crushing up 1/3 cup of almonds until they form powder, mixing with some water until you create a paste, applying it directly onto your face, letting it dry before rinsing off with warm water – this process should be repeated daily in order to decrease enlarged pore appearances.
3. Apply Pore Strips
Though many are drawn to these viral TikTok skincare tools, estheticians and dermatologists remain wary about pore strips’ effectiveness; in fact, some may even believe they can be harmful when applied incorrectly. If applied properly however, they can actually help shrink pores.
Pore strips are constructed with adhesive that grabs onto blackheads and other debris trapped under your skin, according to dermatologist Robert Anolik, MD. You can use pore strips on any part of the face – nose, chin or forehead – but they’re especially helpful in unclogging pores on nose. “Putting one over blackheads can remove their dark pigmentation while making them appear smaller,” Anolik advises.
Pore strips can be used either alone or with other skin care products. When applying them, start with a clean face and apply one over the affected area for the recommended amount of time before peeling it off to reveal your bounty. After this, pat dry your skin using light moisturizer or an astringent such as witch hazel to help close pores and keep them from becoming clogged in future.
Remember, however, that pore strips aren’t a long-term solution to blackheads; rather they should be integrated with your regular skin care routine to be most effective. Exfoliation or cleansing with salicylic acid could help prevent pores from getting clogged in the first place. Retinol or alpha-hydroxy acid products could further diminish large pores by clearing away oil build-up or dead skin cells that interfere with their natural shine.
If you want to keep your pores in check for longer, consider laser hair removal treatments as a possible option. Though some believe lasers to be the most effective means of shrinking their size, laser treatments aren’t quite as efficient compared with microneedling or chemical peels. Laser hair removal treatments can be performed at a professional clinic and are considered safe when conducted by experienced technicians.
4. Use Pore Masks
Depending on the size and nature of your pores, there may be ways you can minimize their visibility. First off, choose skin care products marked as non-comedogenic; these won’t clog pores and cause them to expand further. Next up are masks and facials specifically tailored for pore minimization which aim to eliminate blackheads and oil build-up; for a truly effective reduction, laser hair removal treatments could be beneficial in shrinking their size significantly.
Laser hair removal uses a high-energy beam of light to kill germs and stop the regrowth of new hair, and is safe for most people – with exceptions being those living with certain medical conditions, like diabetes or autoimmune disorders. If you are unsure whether laser hair removal is right for you, visit a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to discuss their options.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it’s wise to give your skin time to heal completely before applying makeup or any skin care products again. Your skin may be more vulnerable and susceptible to irritation after laser hair removal treatments; especially on your forehead and cheeks. In addition, it is important not to touch excessively or rub too roughly against it as this could open pores further and lead to infections within them.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it is possible to begin applying light makeup to the forehead and cheeks. Heavy foundations or blushes should be avoided, as they can lead to irritation and ingrown hairs – powder-based products may be more appropriate in these instances.
Additionally, it is vital that people wear sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher every day in order to protect their skin from UV rays which can aggravate existing pores and cause them to expand further. Reapplying it frequently after sweating, swimming or towelling should also help ensure maximum coverage.
Good news: it is possible to reduce the appearance of large pores through regular skin care, chemical peels and professional laser treatments. While results will depend largely on genetics and age factors, you can take steps now to make your pores as small and inconspicuous as possible by following our tips in this article.
