Reduction of Open Pores
Pores enlarge for the same reasons that skin develops wrinkles: loss of collagen, loss of elasticity, and thinning of the skin. This means that as we age, open pores become more apparent.
Steaming your face in a sauna to open the pores of your skin and remove the dust and grime is a really bad idea. In fact, it can break capillaries and cause even more problems. Whilst it may get some of the dirt out of the skin in the short run, it will cause further loss of elasticity in the long term.
Are Blackheads And Open Pores The Same?
No. Blackheads and open pores are not the same thing. This is a common mistake. A blackhead is congested matter that forms inside an open pore but the removal of this matter alone will not cause the pore to shrink. That's why its important to address this issue with 2 different treatments combined over a course of weeks.
What Causes Open Pores?
Many factors such as sex, genetic predisposition, aging, acute and chronic ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, comedogenic xenobiotics, and abnormal keratinization are known to be responsible for enlarged pores. Loss of elasticity and collagen is a major cause of open or sagging pores. And certain skin types are more prone to having open pores. Combination skin is identified by an oily middle section of the face, forehead, nose and chin areas, which responds extremely well to microdermabrasion treatment followed by a course of micro skin needling. Microdermabrasion treatment will be necessary for the open pores round the nose, chin and forehead, and will help prevent the possible formation of spots and blemishes as well as creating a matt skin which does not look shiny. It will also remove dead skin around the sides of the pores. Under a microscope open pores are slightly raised. A good analogy is like the rim of a volcano. This part is shaved flat by microdermabrasion in advance of micro skin needling. The latter helps create new collagen and elastin deep in the epidermis which causes the pores to snap closed.
Stage 1: Microdermabrasion - Extraction of Blackheads and Pores
During microdermabrasion, the pores are cleaned out by the sucking action of the hand held wand of the device. Once a pore is emptied and the unsightly blackhead and debris is removed it can take a period of time for the pore to heal and close up. Maintaining correct skin care routine is important. Use the products recommended during your consultation at Dublin Vitality Centre clinics.
Firstly a session of microdermabrasion is recommended to pull debris out of the pores and to shave the pore surface down. Pores are actually slightly raised. To look at them under a microscope, they have a slight ridge around them like a tiny volcano. This ridge holds dirt and grime inside the pore. Microdermabrasion shaves the pore back so that it is clean and clear and does not accumulate further debris which may lead to blemishes and spots.
Stage 2: Micro Skin Needling - Closing the Pore
The next stage is to increase the elasticity of each and every pore. Micro Skin Needling "pings" into the pore and shocks the skin deep down inside the epidermis into producing more elastin. The increased levels of elastin are assisted with a collagen serum which is recommended to be used between treatment. This helps to improve open pores, blackheads and blocked pores. But the only long term answer is to increase elasticity and firmness, pore size, and maintain skin sebum production. That is why plastic surgeons often combine skin needling with microdermabrasion and collagen based skin products which are designed to close pores progressively over time. Skin needling is recommended to follow up microdermabrasion as it is extremely successful for creating new collagen and elastic which helps pores to close.
Will Pores Improve By Themselves?
No. Pores enlarge throughout our lives. If you think it's bad now, it will only get worse as collagen depletes. This skin condition doesn't stop by itselt. In fact, factors such as sun exposure and other environmental toxins will make it worse. Open enlarged pores will show through make up and powder and can't cover them up either.
There is good news however. A course of Skin needling and microdermabrasion combined with collagen skin serums is the most advanced successful treatment available for closing pores and increasing the framework of fibres which make up the dermis.
Recommended Protocol For Open Pores
- Microdermabrasion x 1
- Micro Skin Needling x 6