Pores are an essential part of our skin. They are where our sweat glands excrete our sweat. Without our pores, we would be merely urinating all our wastes out of our bodies!
There is a disconnect and misunderstanding of why we need to eliminate our pores. By doing so, we would be doing a great disservice to the evolutionary design of our bodies. Pores are there to perform their function – serving as a passageway for our sweat and sebum.
What we need to do is not eliminate our pores. Instead, we need to reduce it to make it appear aesthetically pleasing and make it look more attractive.
Pore shrinking in Korea is a popular procedure to improve and enhance the appearance of individuals not only in Korea but from the rest of the world. Due to the countless number of clinics present in Korea and with top-notch and quality doctors to choose from, Korea has become the global hub of skin treatment procedures.
Pore improvement can be achieved not just in a straightforward way but rather by using a multifaceted approach. It means incorporating several treatments, lifestyle changes, scrapping bad habits, and forming good skincare habits.
Pore laser treatments are surefire ways of reducing large pores on your face. It makes sure that you get the best results in the shortest amount of time. This, however, is not the only way to get results. There are several more conservative approaches to reducing pores like exfoliation.
Whatever you think is the best way to reduce your pores, one thing is for sure: no one likes large pores!
If you think you have large pores, keep on reading to find the treatments you need to minimize your pores!
A review of basic skin anatomy
Our skin is the largest organ of the body. Covering every square inch of our bodies, every other organ dwarfs our skin when it comes to sheer size and volume.
What comprises our skin?
Using the lens of a microscope, our skin is composed of cells – the basic units of life. These cells are specially designed for the skin; that is, it can handle the daily shedding and slough off evident in the day-to-day function of our skin.
From a different perspective, our skin cells form layered tissues. These tissues coalesce and form three distinct layers, the epidermis (outermost layer), the dermis (middle layer), and hypodermis (innermost layer). These three layers form the basis of our skin, and each carries out a specific function.
The epidermis, being the outermost layer, carries out protective functions. It provides a waterproof coating and keeps our skin from drying out. Also, the presence of melanocytes which produce our pigment melanin creates our skin tone.
The dermis, being the middle layer just beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
The hypodermis, being the innermost layer contains connective tissue and fat. It cushions and insulates our bodies.
What are pores?
Small openings in the skin in which oil and sweat reach the surface from their respective glands underneath are called pores. You have two different types of pores present in your body; these are oil pores and sweat pores.
Sweat pores are present all around your entire body and stud your full skin. Sweat pores are incredibly tiny, despite having the capacity to excrete much sweat. These pores cannot be typically seen with the naked eye. Therefore, they are usually not a problem.
However, when sweat pores become overactive, they can excrete excessive amounts of sweat. The condition is called hyperhidrosis. It can happen in times of undue stress or extreme heat to achieve cooler body temperature.
When a pore is connected to an oil gland, the pore is henceforth called an oil pore. Just like with the sweat pore, this kind of pore is found all over our bodies and studs the entire surface of our skin except the skin on our palms of our hands and the soles of our feet.
Oil pores typically catch most of our attention because, unlike the sweat pores, they are large enough to be seen by the naked eye. When people talk about enlarged pores or blocked pores, and even acne problems, they are referring to your oil pores, not your sweat pores!
How do pores work?
Your pores carry out several vital functions in your body. Your hair follicle makes sure that the oil created by your oil glands (sebaceous glands) reaches the surface and provides lubrication to your skin. Think of it as a natural moisturizer. Sebum or the skin’s natural oil makes sure that the skin is kept supple, moisturized, and healthy.
Dry skin by itself can have a slew of problems. You wouldn’t want to halt the production of sebum or shrink away pores. Our job here is to minimize the excessively large pores to make them look normal again, function normally, and to have healthy skin.
Sweat pores work in the same fashion. Your sweat pores carry the sweat produced by your sweat glands or sudoriferous glands to the surface of your skin to provide sweat.
Sweat helps you maintain your body’s average temperature through evaporation cooling. That is, lowering the body temperature through the evaporation of sweat on your skin.
Our sweat glands come in two types, the eccrine glands and the apocrine glands. The eccrine glands do most of the heavy lifting as they produce most of your sweat in your body. However, in areas like your armpits and groin, an oilier and thicker type of sweat is provided by your apocrine glands. This type of sweat is prone to more bacteria, thus producing your characteristic body odor.
What causes large pores?
Your genetics primarily determines pore size; however, several factors contribute to your pores’ getting bigger. Factors such as acne, increased sebum production, sun damage, and the use of non comedogenic makeup all contribute to why your pores appear more prominent.
Acne is caused by a blockage of your pores, which is then infected by bacteria, which forms pus. Though your pores do a great job of cleaning themselves sometimes, they get blocked and infected, thus creating acne. It is important to emphasize that keeping your pores from being blocked is the key to reducing and maintaining acne at bay.
It is essential to understand that acne is a pore disorder and a disorder of the oil glands and oil ducts. These three form the pilosebaceous unit.
Pores usually have a cleaning mechanism and do a great job of cleaning the oil, dead skin cells, and dirt that may end up in the pore. Sometimes, however, this process goes haywire. They get trapped in the hair follicle instead of the gunk being cleared up and out of the pore.
All forms of acne always begin first as a pore blockage. It includes small pimples, blackheads, milia, and even extensive inflamed breakouts. Doctors usually keep acne under control by using a treatment that keeps your pores clear.
Our sweat pores can also become blocked, although acne doesn’t usually form. Instead, a heat rash or “prickly heat” develops.
Home remedies for large pores
Take a look at your skincare products
Take a look at the products you use for your skin. It may be high time to switch them up if they make your pores look more substantial.
If you’re using products for excess sebum and acne, it could do more harm than good. Doctors often only recommend short-term use of these products. However, with long-term use, it could irritate your skin.
These skin care products contain active ingredients like salicylic aid that work on the top layers of your skin. Salicylic acid can produce a drying effect on your skin to make the pores on your skin look smaller. But, if your skin becomes too dry because of the chemicals, your oil glands will become overactive. They will increase oil production as a response to the lost moisture. It can lead you back to having oily skin.
To avoid too much drying, use only the following skincare products such as astringents, facial scrubs, and oil-based masks for a few weeks at a time.
Swapping out your comedogenic products for noncomedogenic products is also a big yes! Comedogenic products are oil-based, and this could cause several problems if you have oily skin. It is essential to understand that too much oil can lead to larger-looking pores.
Cleanse your face
Only the best types of facial cleansers can get rid of excess dirt and oil without completely stripping your skin of moisture. For large pores and oily skin, try looking for gel-based cleansers. For normal to dry skin, you can benefit from creamy cleansers.
Regardless of your skin type, always avoid cleansers that contain soap or scrubbing agents as these could make your pores appear more substantial.
However, despite using the best cleansers, they won’t do any good if they are not used properly. Always start by wetting your face with warm water, then massage the cleanser in circles around your entire face and neck for half a minute to a minute. Then wash your face and pat not rub your skin dry. Repeat this process every morning and evening to get the best results.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate
Dermatologists recommend exfoliating just one to two times a week. Exfoliations aids in getting rid of the gunk that can clog your pores without over stripping and drying out your skin. However, if you have an acne breakout, stop exfoliating to avoid irritating your pimples.
At all times, always choose exfoliants that contain either alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). BHAs belong to the family of salicylic acids and should not be used if you have a hypersensitivity to aspirin. Although both ingredients produce satisfactory results, BHAs can penetrate deep into your pores to treat acne.
Always moisturize
People skimp out on using moisturizers because of the misconception that it will add more oil to their faces. However, in reality, moisturizers help your skin absorb your natural sebum and help it penetrate deeper into the lower layers of your skin. It reduces the oily appearance and helps condition your skin effectively. Without moisturizers, your skin could even produce more oil.
When you have large pores, it is best to use a light water-based moisturizer over an oil-based moisturizer.
Use clay masks
Clay masks are useful for removing gunk inside your pores to make them look smaller. You can use clay masks alternatively with exfoliating skin probably about one to two times a week. However, it is not recommended to be used on the same days as you exfoliate since it can irritate your skin.
Wear sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is a must. Don’t let your oily skin hold you back in using sunscreen. Sun damage could lead to an increased risk of cancer and wrinkles. However, it could also dry out your skin and make your pores appear more substantial.
Always opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it 15 minutes before going outside for it to work correctly. You can also choose moisturizers or day creams that contain SPF in them.
How can I shrink my pores in Korea?
There are several treatment options in shrinking your pores in Korea. These include the following:
BB Laser
The BB Laser is also known as the Lavieen Laser. It functions to lighten your skin and tighten large pores. It also treats hyperpigmentation issues and blemishes from sunspots by evening out your skin tone.
By using an intense 1927 nm wavelength laser, it improves pigmentation issues such as blemishes and freckles, aging, minimizing epithelial damage, and reducing elasticity at bay. All this is being done all at the same time!
Aqua Peel
Aqua peeling uses a two-step process that cleanses your skin deeply but also moisturizes the newly cleaned skin. Chemical peels and acne treatment usually dry out and irritate your skin. It makes our oil glands overreact and forces itself to produce more oil, which then blocks our pores even more.
AHA is first used to remove all traces of dirt, blackheads, whiteheads, and all the dead skin cells on your face. A suction machine will be used to suction the impurities left on the surface of your face and in the pores. A nutritious rubber mask will lock in the moisture once the skin is cleaned.
Pico Toning
An excellent treatment for improving skin discolorations, reducing the appearance of acne scars, rejuvenating the skin, reducing pores, improving skin texture, and more is Pico Toning. Pico Toning utilized ultra-short pulses of light in picoseconds to deliver highly-focused laser energy to the upper layers of your skin.
Pico Laser results are usually the reduction of skin surface problems. Patients can notice a significant shrinking of their pores due to stimulated collagen production.
Are the effects permanent?
All procedures described in this article are semi-permanent; that is, they can only last for so long. Though they have immediate effects on shrinking your pores, without the proper skin care regimen, you’ll have larger-looking pores again. Applying moisturizer and sunscreen every day can do a lot in keeping your pores small.
Always remember to take care of your skin even though you had a treatment. Doing so minimizes you having larger-looking pores again.
How much is pore shrinking treatment in Korea?
Pore shrinking treatment in Korea costs typically about $200. It is cheaper than getting treatment in the United States, which could cost $800 or more!
FAQs
Yes, it does. As we age, our skin loses elasticity; therefore, our pores lose elasticity as well. It contributes to the more significant appearance of our pores. If you notice, older people have larger pores than younger individuals.
Collagen is greatly diminished as we age; therefore, our skin loses its elasticity. Treatments that stimulate collagen production help in reducing the appearance of our pores. Following a skincare routine for taking care of our skin is a must to prevent our pores from getting even more significant.
Yes, it can. Without the proper skincare routine, your pores will eventually become more prominent again. It could happen even when you get laser treatment. It is important to stress the appropriate maintenance of your skin.
Conclusion
Decreasing your pores is a multifaceted approach, not a straightforward one. Though treatments are available in the market for treating large pores, these are semi-permanent and don’t last if no proper interventions are made.
We can always look at the science why our pores become larger and more pronounced. However, we can always find ways to minimize them.
It is also essential to take note that not all types of pores are our enemy, and closing them would do more harm than good.
Always take time to read to understand why your pores are becoming more significant. Find ways to make them smaller and seek medical help if needed.
If you are considering for decrease your pores, visit Clinic Search Korea for more information.