Enlarged pores

Pores are the ope­nings of hair fol­lic­les into which the oil glands drain. They are con­side­red enlar­ged when they are cle­ar­ly visi­ble to the naked eye, usual­ly on the nose, cheeks and fore­head. They are medi­cal­ly harm­less but are often per­cei­ved as bothersome.

Cau­ses

The key fac­tors are gene­tics and increased sebum pro­duc­tion, as seen in oily skin and under hor­mo­n­al influence. With age and sun dama­ge, col­la­gen and ela­s­ti­ci­ty decli­ne, so the pore walls lose sup­port. Blocka­ges of sebum and dead skin cells stretch the ope­nings further.

Sym­ptoms

The skin looks coar­se and uneven, often shi­ny as well. Come­do­nes are fre­quent­ly pre­sent at the same time. Elon­ga­ted, oval pores that appear to sag down­wards tend to indi­ca­te age-rela­ted loss of firmness.

Tre­at­ment

Pores can­not be clo­sed, but they can be made visi­bly finer. Reti­no­ids, sali­cy­lic acid and regu­lar peels are hel­pful. Micro­need­ling, frac­tion­al lasers or radio­fre­quen­cy, which sti­mu­la­te col­la­gen pro­duc­tion, can be added; seve­ral ses­si­ons are usual­ly nee­ded. Dai­ly sun pro­tec­tion helps pre­vent fur­ther slackening.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Skin qua­li­ty