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If youve ever picked up a magnifying mirror, chances are youve spent time wondering how to minimize pores.
No, you cant make them disappear nor would you want to.
Those craters are actually tiny openings and if you didnt have them, youd be dead.
But our collective fixation with pores goes much further than simply their size.
Just take a look at the videos posted by dermatologist Sandra Lee (also known asDr.
Pimple Popper), which have become so popular, they spawned a reality TV show.
A lot of people watch them as bedtime stories.
What are pores?
But first, lets get one thing straight: pores arenotthe enemy.
In fact, pores play a vital part in our bodys natural processes.
To put it simply, pores are a pouching of skin.
Some of these tiny openings contain oil glands which secrete oil to keep the skin from drying out.
Others secrete sweat, which helps to regulate the bodys temperature.
You would overheat, go nuts, and basically pass out.
What determines pore size?
As with many other skin characteristics, genetics play a role in pore size.
Thats because years of sun exposure can permanently dilate the pores.
Skin pop in can also play a role in how large your pores are.
Pores appear the biggest where the oil glands are most active, which is typically in the t-zone.
Therefore, those with oily skin will often have the largest pores.
Gender is yet another factor.
Pore size differs across ethnic groups, too.
The study found that the most extreme average differences in pore size were between Chinese and Brazilian women.
African Americans, on the other hand, showed substantially more noticeable pores than any other racial group.
How to Minimize Pores?
As much as we wish this was a possibility, its just not reality.
Pores have no muscular attachment, so they cannot open and close.
When people say that cold water will close your pores, thats simply not true.
Alternately, steam wont cause them to open.
But, its not all bad news.
Itispossible to make pores look smaller and less noticeable.
Since debris can build up in pores and cause breakouts, pores must be kept clean.
Also, incorporate some kind of retinoids in your skin-care routine, says Idriss.
(See alsoHow to Make Large Pores Disappear With Foundation, According to Makeup Artists.)
One way to help keep pores tight and clear is through professional treatments.
Theyre able to penetrate the deepest levels of the skin without harming the surface layer, and theyre painless.
LED, on the other hand, takes about one minute and generally requires at least eight rounds.
Microneedling
If youre looking for a treatment thatll tackle more than one skin concern, considermicroneedling.
Collagen helps support the edges of pores, making them appear tighter.
It also helps treathyperpigmentation, fine lines, and acne scars.
Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel.
Another one of her pore-care picks?
(Honestly, with so many on our body, its a little surprising thatmorearent acting up.)
But inflammation in a clogged pore doesnt look the same across the board.
Inflammatory Acne
Finally, inflammatory acne appears in the form of either pustules or papules.
Pustules resemble whiteheads, and are filled with pus as a result of inflammation resulting from bacteria.
Papules are patches of small, red zits that don’t come to a head.
Should you do extractions at home?
Short answer: no.
I will never go ahead and give you my blessing to go do it, says Idriss.
Popping a pimple at home can leave you with an infection, swelling, or a scar.
Dont worry, leaving a pimple alone will still result in its departure.
According to Idriss, the gunk within the breakout itself can be reabsorbed into the body.
Sometimes your body absorbs it all before it pushes it all the way out, she explains.
so that do it in the safest way possible, Idriss says to start with a hot shower.
This way, you dont have to squeeze the skin and cause extra trauma.
When it comes to extracting blackheads, though, the process is a bit different.
If it doesnt budge, leave it alone and instead, simply apply asalicylic acid-based spot treatment.
