Pore Size: Small is Better

Written by Dr. Murray Riggins
September 2008

Did you know that the size of your facial pores determines your skin type?

• Dry skin is usually defined by small pores.
• The pore size in normal skin changes from medium to small just on the edge of nose and gets smaller outward from the center of the face.
• Oily skin is characterized by large pores over most of the skin -- The larger the pores the more oil the skin produces. And when oil, dead skin and free radicals clog large pores, blemishes and blackheads are free to flourish.

It's safe to say that when it comes to pore size, the rule of thumb is the smaller the better. In general, small pores give a tighter, younger look. But for those of us who were born with large to medium facial pores, the question becomes how do we minimize what genetics and ethnicity have given us.

While there is no instant treatment to can shrink pores, there are a number of skin-care products and treatments to minimize the size of your pores. One product that helps reduce pore size is Salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid peels work near the surface of the skin to exfoliate and remove clumped dead skin cells, and at-home products with Salicylic acid as an active anti-bacterial ingredient keep pores from becoming clogged and infected. Alpha hydroxy acid peels are similar to salicylic acid peels in that by removing excess oil and dissolving dead skin, they leave your pores looking smaller and your skin looking younger, softer and smoother.

The newest medical procedure to reduce pore size is performed with a laser. A laser light delivers a mild burn to the dermal layer of the skin. The skin responds to this "injury" by generating collagen. Collagen is integral in tightening the dermis, and as it tightens pore size shrinks.

As with any medical and non-medical treatment, it's always wise to perform a patch test to determine how your skin will respond.

Dr. Murray Riggins is a General Practice Aesthetic physician with 25 years of medical experience, who graduated from Meharry Medical College and did his post graduate work at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH. He is the founder and Medical Director of Dr. Riggins MASC (Medical Aesthetic Skin Care) LLC located at 1205 Fern Street NW, Washington, DC 20012. Please call 202-391-0295 for more information. Click here to email Dr. Riggins