Why Pores Enlarge And How To Minimize Them

Hello, I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. Today, we will discuss pores, a topic many people are interested in and curious about. Pores are, literally, the holes from which hair grows. The face has many fine hairs, like vellus hair, but often only the pores, the openings from which the hair emerges, are noticeable. Pores become more noticeable during puberty as sebum secretion increases compared to infancy, and many people visit dermatology clinics for pore problems after puberty.

The exact cause of enlarged pores is not yet clearly understood, but generally, about five main factors are known to be the cause.

• Keratin accumulation within pores: Pores can enlarge due to keratin buildup inside them, a factor largely influenced by constitutional predisposition.
• Excessive sebum secretion: When sebum is excessively secreted, pores may appear swollen and enlarged. This is particularly common in the T-zone, around the nose, and on both cheeks.
• Decreased skin elasticity (aging): As people age and skin elasticity declines, pores often become more prominent. In such cases, pores are not round but oval-shaped and frequently appear next to nasolabial folds.
• Thickened vellus hair: Pores can also become noticeable when fine vellus hairs appear thicker. This is often characteristic around the hairline.
• Acne scars: In cases of pore-like acne scars, they are often mistaken for pores.

Since the causes of pores are diverse, the treatment methods are also varied, and it is advisable to treat them according to their specific cause.

• Pores enlarged due to keratin accumulation: Treatments such as Soft Peel are helpful for thoroughly clearing keratin. Additionally, Fractional Laser or radiofrequency treatment are known to be beneficial for enlarged pores.
• Pores due to excessive sebum secretion: Methods such as sebaceous gland excision or sebaceous gland destruction using Botulinum Toxin are known to be very helpful.
• Pores due to thickened vellus hair: Hair removal laser is helpful, and these cases often appear around the hairline or on the nose.
• Pores due to acne scars: It is advisable to treat them as acne scars.
• Pores due to aging: For pores appearing next to nasolabial folds, treatments that rejuvenate the skin, such as Thermage, Ulthera, and Polaris, are known to be helpful.

Pores often result from a combination of several factors rather than a single cause. Therefore, combination treatments can be expected to yield much better results.

The Triple Combination pore treatment includes:

• Removing keratin from within pores: A representative method for removing accumulated keratin inside pores is through treatments like Soft Peel, which can easily remove keratin.
• Sebaceous gland reduction: To prevent excessive sebum secretion, which is a cause of pores, sebaceous glands can be reduced with treatments such as needle radiofrequency treatment or SmoothBeam laser treatment.
• Filling pores with tissue: For naturally filling enlarged pores, laser treatments like Fraxel DUAL can be performed, which can lead to a natural reduction in pore size.

When these three treatments are combined, they address various causes of pores simultaneously, allowing for effective pore treatment in a short period and also offering the benefit of preventing pore enlargement.

The main causes of enlarged pores are keratin and sebum within the pores. Therefore, thorough daily cleansing is important. Also, if acne is improperly squeezed, it can leave pore-like scars, so it is important to seek appropriate treatment quickly if you have acne. Stress can increase sebum secretion and enlarge pores, so managing stress well is also an important way to prevent enlarged pores.

Today, we have looked closely at pores. Pores can enlarge due to various causes, and appropriate treatment tailored to each cause, along with consistent care, is important. If you have any questions, please consult a specialist at any time to find the right solution for you.