Everyone has facial pores---tiny openings in the skin that allow substances such as sweat and oil called sebum to pass and keep the skin hydrated. When hormones are raging, such as during puberty, a women's menstrual cycle or menopause, the skin produces too much sebum, clogging the pores and causing acne. Treatments for facial pores range from mild daily practices at home to harsh chemical treatments in the doctor's office.
Cleansing
Keeping your skin clean is one of the best ways to decrease oil and bacteria in your facial pores and prevent acne breakouts. Using warm water, wash your face twice daily with a mild soap designed for people with acne. Move your fingers in a circular motion, but do not scrub your skin. Dry your face and apply an over-the-counter lotion that contains benzoyl peroxide. Also, wash your hair regularly, and clean eyeglasses and/or sunglasses daily to avoid breaking out where they rest on your skin.
Makeup
Makeup such as loose mineral powders, primers, concealers and foundations can cover the appearance of facial pores and acne, but makeup can also increase the likelihood you will have a breakout. To avoid clogged pores and allergic reactions, your makeup should be hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic and ideally should contain a sunscreen. Completely wash all your makeup off before you go to bed each night.
Medical Procedures
Dermatologists and licensed aestheticians offer medical procedures to treat facial pores. A chemical skin peel removes dead skin cells and blackheads or whiteheads, clears clogged pores, and generates new skin growth. Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that sands away the skin with an abrasive device. The skin takes several days to a week to heal after dermabrasion. A less invasive procedure called microdermabrasion involves the use of a handheld device that sands your skin with fine crystals. A new procedure, laser treatment through pinpoint photodynamic therapy, reduced the size of facial pores in a study conducted by Yonsei-Zium Dermatologic Clinic in Seoul, Korea.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Before going to your doctor for prescription medication, use an over-the-counter medication. The Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend first trying a benzoyl peroxide product, which helps remove excess oils and dead skin cells that clog pores while killing acne. You can also try a product with salicylic acid, which slows the shedding of cells inside hair follicles and helps prevent your pores from clogging. A product with alpha hydroxy acids works by removing dead skin cells and reducing inflammation.
Prescription Medications
If general care of your skin and over-the-counter medications do not treat your pores and you continue to experience a moderate to severe problem with acne, your doctor may prescribe one of a number of acne medications. Oral antibiotics, which you take by the mouth, include minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, erythromycin and amoxicillin. Topical antibiotics, which are applied to the skin, include clindamycin, erythromycin and dapsone. Prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol and salicylic acid are other options. Some birth control pills can help treat facial pores and acne in women.
Member Comments