can we improve the appearance of large pores?

Many of our acne clients complain of the appearance of large pores. Even once we get them clear, because so many have oily skin, their pores tend to be large. I have many middle-aged clients, whether or not they had acne, whose pores are beginning to look larger due to collagen loss. I'm guessing that certainly in the case of clients who have or had acne, first we have to get the pores unclogged before we can do anything about size, yes? For those whose pores are looking large due to collagen loss only (OK, not technically an acne question), is there anyone who has had success helping them?

Thanks for any advice!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brenda Griffin on March 22, 2011 at 7:20am

It is my understanding that you cannot change the size of pores. If they are filled with debris, they look larger. If they are clean, they look smaller. Hope this helps.

Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on March 22, 2011 at 4:35pm

I agree with Brenda- you're gonna die with the size of pores that you have. But, by using a good exfoliant and/or vitamin a proprionate (or prescription retinoid for that matter) you can refine the "look" of your skin overall.

Permalink Reply by Jane N Dudik on March 25, 2011 at 1:55pm

This is a personal issue to me. I am a middle aged woman (well, middle aged if I plan to live to be 106, which of course I do). My pores have been crystal clear for years, but they have started to look large. Does everything have to get big and saggy as we age? All the exercise in the world doesn't help the size of your pores. BUT I have been having great success reducing their appearance with a strong retinoid that I have been very gradually breaking in. I started with a medium strength twice a week, increased wearing frequency and then increasing product strength but back to original 2x a week. I am now up to every night with the strongest stuff. My pores do look so much smaller. I had tried laser rejuvenation last year, and the doctor swore it made my pores look smaller, but they didn't look smaller to me. I think he was just saying that so I wouldn't demand my money back. The retinoid is a LOT less expensive and not at all painful, so I am a convert. But I am one person, so not statistically significant. When I run out of my current bottle, I am going to try Laura's strongest vitamin A proprionate and see if that has the same effect. The trade name of the one I am using now is Green Cream.

Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on March 25, 2011 at 1:59pm

@Jane - what is the form of vitamin a in Green Cream? I've heard alot of good things about that product.

Permalink Reply by Jane N Dudik on March 25, 2011 at 2:10pm

Retinol & polysorbate 20.

Here are the ingredients:

D.I. water, ethanol, glycerine, aloe vera gel,octyldodecanol, retinol & polysorbate 20, cucumber extract, butylene glycol, cetyl dimethicone copolyol, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, tocopheryl, acrylates/C10-C30 crosspolymer, tea-carbomer, propylene glycol, diazolidinyl urea, propylparaben, methylparaben, disodium edta, may contain FD&C yellow 5, red 40, blue1.

They also say: Airless Pump - the packaging Green Cream uses is extremely important to maintaining the potency of the active ingredient retinol. Retinol breaks down quickly if it is exposed to air or light. The Green Cream package is an airless pump which never introduces air into the chamber. This allows Green Cream to maintain its high potency levels. The bottle is also opaque to keep light rays from breaking down the retinol.