What are open pores?
The term ‘open pores’ refers to enlarged skin pores that have become more noticeable over time. The pores on the skin allow it to ‘breathe’ by releasing the sebum or natural oil onto the surface.
Where do open pores occur?
However, large skin pores often appear in areas that have a higher density of sebaceous glands specifically, in the ‘t-zone’ of the face. They adversely affect the skin texture and become an aesthetic concern for both men and women with oily or combination skin types.
Who is affected by open pores?
The skin concern affects teenagers undergoing hormonal changes and adults with ageing skin or hormonal issues too.
Causes of open pores
- Excessive Sebum Production: Excessive secretion of sebum, especially in the case of those who have oily or combination skin leads to the enlargement of hair follicle openings and the appearance of large open pores.
- Increased Hair Follicle Volume: Hair follicles are tubular in structure. Thicker hair follicles have a bigger follicular opening that forms skin pores. These dilate further to allow the flow of natural oil and appear enlarged.
- Heredity Factor: Genetic predisposition and ethnicity are significant internal factors that cause large open pores.
- Ageing And Sun Exposure: Ageing and sun damage may adversely affect the collagen and elastin fibres in the skin. Diminished strength and elasticity of the skin may make the pores appear crater-like in older adults.
- Chronic Acne: Pores in acne-prone skin, clog and cause blackheads and whiteheads. Moreover, inflammatory acne weakens sebum glands and follicular openings and enlarges the pores.
- Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations stimulate the hyperactivity of sebaceous glands and trigger the production of excessive sebum, which results in large open pores.
- Acute Skin Conditions and Nutritional Deficiency: Chronic radiodermatitis and vitamin A deficiency are other uncommon causes of enlarged skin pores.
How to prevent pores from opening too much?
There are 3 steps to do it. They are:
- Clean: One should use a gentle, gel-based, non-comedogenic cleanser twice daily to unclog pores.
- Protect: Then, one must apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30+ every day to prevent premature skin ageing due to sun damage.
- Nourish: After that, one should use water-based moisturisers suitable for oily/combination skin. You may also ask your skin specialist to recommend any collagen-boosting products, such as retinol.
Effects of these pores
Open pores on the face are those small pits that look quite unattractive. If open pores are not treated, it makes the face look dull and old. Most people who suffer from open pores have oily skin and that is because of sebum.
Open pores can cause acne, whiteheads, blackheads and so much more. Basically, with just one problem comes a whole lot of other skin problems.
Treatment of open pores
If one is going for advanced treatment of open pores, there are some medical procedures. They are:
- Topical Therapies: Many qualified skin experts recommend the use of topical applications like Tretinoin, topical nicotinamide, Vitamin C, or AHAs to diminish open pores. They also advise the dosage and direction for use to ensure visible improvement in your skin texture.
- Oral Medications: The medical experts have a holistic approach. They may prescribe oral medicines such as oral retinoids (Isotretinoin), antiandrogens (spironolactone) and oral contraceptives to treat any hormonal cause of enlarged pores. One must follow the instructions related to the drug intake strictly to get the best results without any side-effects.
- Laser Toning: Top doctors specialise in performing advanced laser treatment for open pores using USFDA-approved technology. They use Q-Switched YAG and fractionated erbium YAG laser to boost collagen production in the skin and minimise the appearance of open pores effectively. A 2011 study revealed that Q-switched lasers visibly reduce open pores when used along with photo-activated topical solutions.
- Fractional Micro-Needling Radiofrequency (MNRF): Experienced dermatologists may use tiny micro-needles to release radiofrequency energy in the deeper layers of the skin. It stimulates collagen and elastin production and thereby results in the decreased visibility of enlarged pores.
- Chemical Peels: The medical team recommends the application of salicylic acid peels and glycolic acid peels for the controlled exfoliation of dead cells. It helps control excess sebum production and aids skin renewal. It is an effective treatment for reducing large skin pores.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial-like tissue may be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located.
With endometriosis, the endometrial-like tissue acts as endometrial tissue would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But because this tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped.
When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — bands of fibrous tissue that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other.
This is the reason doctors say that if a person experiences too much pain during menstruation, they must consult them.
What happens if one eats raw vegetables and fruits?
It is often said that a person must eat raw fruits and vegetables. If they do so, they will get more nutrients into their body. Therefore, a dietician was contacted. She said that carrots and tomatoes are two vegetables that people eat raw.
Raw carrots are beneficial. They contain potassium, vitamin A, iron, fibre, beta-keratin, and anti-oxidants. They reduce cholesterol, reduce carbs, reduce fat, and fulfil iron deficiency. But it has glucose. So, sugar patients must avoid it.
Tomatoes are the main source of beta-keratin, glycol, and anti-oxidants. It is beneficial to heart patients, reduces skin problems, and reduces blood pressure. To avoid germs in the stomach, one can eat tomatoes with pepper powder on an empty stomach early in the morning.
