Ever seen someone with remarkably flawless skin? It’s almost as if their face is made of porcelain rather than the normal porous skin that covers the rest of us. Usually, either these people are pros at applying make-up , or they just have smaller pores. Once you know how to make your pores smaller, a smooth, flawless face isn’t as unattainable as you think.
So we all have pores, but why? And why do some pores show up so noticeably?
Pores are the way the body provides moisture to the skin. Oil glands lie underneath them. As they produce oil, the pores allow it to rise to the top layer of skin. People with larger pores just have larger oil glands — it’s genetic. That means they’re also prone to oilier skin.
But oil isn’t all bad — we actually need it. It provides a barrier from bacteria that tries to get into the skin. It also keeps our skin from drying out by providing a barrier to oxygen. Plus, oil keeps our skin pliable so it is much less likely to crack, bleed, or even wrinkle.
Still, too much oil can be frustrating. For those of us with oily skin, is there a way to reduce the oil and shrink those pores?
Can You Shrink Your Pores With a Product?
Contrary to many claims in advertising, there’s no cream or product that effectively reduces oil production or shrinks oil glands. So, if you want to see a change, you’ll need a mechanical procedure.
How to Minimize Pores With Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Fractional Laser Resurfacing is the most effective mechanical procedure for minimizing pores and oil. This procedure uses a laser that delivers energy underneath the skin. As the laser hits the oil glands, it cauterizes them and causes them to shrink.
Then it’s a domino effect — when the oil glands shrink, so do the pores and the amount of oil produced. And it’s permanent! Those oil glands won’t grow back once they’ve been treated.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Since the laser is fractional, we recommend a series of treatments. The laser uses a 10-point dot of light that randomly hits the skin in these different places. Hence, one treatment won’t shrink all your glands.
Imagine shining two lights on a post-it note. The first light illuminates the entire paper. The second light shows up like polka dots.
Blade Laser Resurfacing is the first light. It removes the top layer of skin and results in weeks of recovery. Fractional Laser Resurfacing is the second light. Each treatment only creates a small injury in the skin that heals quickly.
As we go over the skin with multiple treatments, we achieve beautiful results of smaller pores and smoother skin.
How Long Is the Recovery?
Because Fractional Laser Resurfacing isn’t removing any skin, there’s not much downtime. In fact, you could be back to work in as little as a day. Some people experience peeling or redness, but that clears up quickly. The typical recovery time from this procedure is only two to three days.
If large pores are keeping you from having the smooth, beautiful skin you’ve always admired, call us at (855) 300-8510 to see if Fractional Laser Resurfacing is right for you.
Dr. R. Todd Plott is a board-certified dermatologist in Coppell, Keller, and Saginaw, TX. His specialization and professional interests include treating patients suffering with acne, identifying and solving complex skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and identifying and treating all types of skin cancers. In his spare time, Dr. Plott enjoys cycling, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his children and new grandson.
Learn more about Dr. Plott.