Chemical Peels for Large Pores
Large pores are so in style this year, said no one ever. Let’s face it: Large pores have given apps like Facetune a reason to thrive, and have caused countless teens to obsess in front of the mirror before dates and dances. Under the right circumstances, every pore on your face can feel enormous and be a serious source for anxiety. And with so many mixed messages out there, it’s no wonder just how preoccupied we’ve become with our spots, lines and divots.
We all have them, literally thousands of them, and from a purely biological standpoint pores are actually awesome. Pores keep your skin moisturized, protected and healthy, and allow you to sweat when you're overheated. Simply put, you need your pores and there's no shame in a complexion that hasn't seen a touchup brush.
But if you're one of the many people whose pores are more noticeable than you’d care for, there are skin care solutions out there for you. We'll cover a few of them here, and also talk about some don'ts of pore minimization.
First, it's important to understand what causes your pores to stand out. Once you understand why pores are the way they are, it'll be much easier to see why some of the tips and tricks you'll come across out there online are nothing more than wishful thinking. Fads regarding pore shrinkage have been around for as long as women could see their own reflections and someone could stand to make a buck off of their insecurities.
The good news is, the factors that cause your pores to look enlarged are predominantly genetic, which means you can stop obsessing over whether you should follow warm water with cold water or the other way around. The better news is that regardless of age, gender or skin type, there are actually real tactics you can employ to help minimize the appearance of your pores.
It’s Mostly Aging & Genetic
From changes in hormones to excessive sun exposure, you may have noticed a decline in your pores' appearance as you’ve aged. Aging is one factor commonly associated with increased pore size, which occurs due to the loss of dermal collagen - a completely normal part of the aging process.
As collagen production decreases, your pores relax and open, which leads to more "stuff" getting trapped inside. That stuff doesn't always consist of dirt and debris; your skin's natural oils also collect in your pores, all of which contributes to just how visible your pores are.
Although we tend to associate oily pores with acne and blackheads, many people with large pores suffer from neither. That being said, oils combined with bacteria from dirt and debris are the perfect breeding ground for an acne outbreak, so whether you have small pores or large ones, a regular and balancing skin care routine is strongly recommended for all skin types.
What Causes Large Pores
- Aging
- Genetics
- Excessive Sun Exposure
- Gender (Males have larger pores than females)
- Hormones from Pregnancy, Puberty or Menstruation
What Works to Minimize Pore Appearance?
While it's not actually possible to "shrink" your enlarged pores permanently, there are some skin care techniques you can implement to help you ensure that your pores stay free of debris and therefore appear smaller than they are. Products that increase cell turnover are some of the most effective when it comes to making your pores look more refined. That's because increased cell turnover helps to rid pores of their oily plugs, which also helps to prevent other skin complications such as acne.
- Lactic Acid
- Glycolic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Balancing Toner
- Non-Comedic Moisturizers
- Exfoliation with Microdermabrasion Crystals
What Doesn't Work?
- Steam
- Cold Water
- Egg Whites
Why Do Acids Work?
Acids work to minimize your pores’ appearance because they remove the outer layers of the skin, boost collagen production and increase cell turnover. While a chemical peel won't actually change the size of your pores (and nothing can), it'll make pores appear much smaller. The effect of a chemical peel also far outlasts the effects of a splash of cold water to the face, and chemical peels can be used at regular intervals to help you layer the positive effects of peeling.
Our lactic acid peel is a great maintenance solution, and suits beginners who have no experience with peeling. This very light peel results in no actual skin peeling, but helps to stimulate the turnover process while boosting collagen production. The lactic acid peel can be used weekly and even bi-weekly to loosen oil and debris without the overdrying effects of some blemish treatments.
The glycolic acid peel is available in four concentrations, which can all be used safely by beginner peelers. Glycolic peels are able to penetrate deeply into the skin because these acids have the smallest of all the acid particles. This makes them great options for removing blackheads, fighting acne and brightening the overall skin tone. The dissolving action of the glycolic peel helps to loosen and exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving behind a smoother skin surface with clearer pores. The peel also helps stimulate collagen formation under the skin's surface, which helps plump up the skin from beneath, smoothing out fine surface wrinkles and superficial scars.
Salicylic acid is a type of acid that's commonly used in acne products because it clearers out pores which leads to fewer breakouts. Our alpha-beta combination peels contain lactic acid and salicylic acid, a winning combination for anyone who wants a more youthful appearance that's characterized by fewer lines, smaller pores and a more supple, even skin tone.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a technique that works by exfoliating the outer layer of skin to provide instantaneous results. A microdermabrasion treatment is quick and easy, and can be achieved painlessly in the comfort of your own home. Our microdermabrasion crystals help to 'sand' away the top layers of the skin to reveal the newer, brighter skin underneath. Skin exfoliation prevents sebum buildup, as well as the buildup of the bacteria that's responsible for skin outbreaks. By exfoliating regularly in conjunction with a daily balancing skin care routine, you can minimize your pores, reduce skin imperfections and even help to fade certain types of scars.
Why Use a Toner?
If you're not using a toner already, we implore you to add it to your skin care routine. Whether you want to minimize pores or you're just in need of some new tips to help you round out your skin care techniques, a toner should be a staple of every medicine cabinet. That's because toners do so much! They balance your skin's pH, remove acne-producing bacteria, minimize pores and calm irritations. The key to finding the right kind of toner is to pay close attention to its primary ingredients, being careful to avoid products that employ alcohols and other ingredients that dry out your skin and cause additional problems.
A simple tea tree and vinegar toner is a must, no matter who you are. With just a few ingredients, your skin will be balanced, exfoliated and treated for acne outbreaks.
Add an additional key ingredient to the mix with our anti-aging toner, which contains glycolic acid as well as DMAE and soy extract. This toner is nourishing and balancing, and the glycolic acids help to boost collagen production and increase cell turnover, both necessary for pore minimization.
What Are Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers?
A non-comedogenic product is one that doesn't clog pores. Having a daily (and nightly) moisturizer by your side that can tackle your skin's needs without clogging things up is the final key to a skin care routine for small pores that make skin look even, youthful and smooth.
