Skip to main content

Large pores

What are dilated pores?

Dilated pores are depressions in the surface of the facial skin that contain one or more openings to the ducts that transport sweat and oil from their respective eccrine glands and sebaceous glands

Large pores

open-pores__protectwyjqcm90zwn0il0_focusfillwzi5ncwymjisingildfd-3846995-4170755

Large pores

structure-sm__protectwyjqcm90zwn0il0_focusfillwzi5ncwymjisingildbd-6122547-5994887

Skin structure

Who widens the pores?

Large pores can be seen at all ages and in all ethnic groups. Certain ethnic groups may have larger pores, particularly those of African and Indian descent. Pores often appear larger with age.

There is conflicting data on whether men or women are more prone to large pores. In women, the pore size can fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, and the largest pore size occurs during ovulation.

What causes large pores?

Factors that can lead to enlarged pores include:

  • Increased tallow production
  • Hair follicle Size
  • Use of comedogenic products
  • Loss of skin elasticity with age.
  • Sun damage.

Acne is associated with large pores, when they sometimes open comedones (black dots) can be seen inside a pore. Inflammatory Acne can cause enlarged pores through weakening of the openings of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, making them more likely to become blocked.

What is the treatment for large pores?

Treatments that focus on preventing and reducing large pores are not very effective. They include:

  • Avoid skin creams that induce pimples and whiteheads
  • Weight loss (reported to reduce sebum production)
  • Chemical peels
  • Current nicotinamide
  • Plant-derived copper chlorophyllin complexes
  • L-carnitine
  • Current retinoids.

Oral treatments used for acne can also help. These include:

  • Combined oral contraceptives.
  • Spironolactone
  • Isotretinoin

Physical treatments targeting the sebaceous glands can help enlarged pores. These include:

  • To be treatment
  • Radiofrequency microneedling (skin puncture).