The appearance of enlarged pores is a very common issue among patients with oily skin.
Oily skin contributes to large pore openings as excessive oil production leads to a build up of grime at the pore openings. This results in larger pores and eventually black heads and white heads over time.
There is evidence that excessive consumption of fat and carbohydrate can increase sebum production. On top of decreased sebum production, avoiding excessive fat and carbohydrate consumption has other obvious health benefits. This is the first advice we give to patients.
For certain acne-prone individuals, we can prescribe creams or medications like retinoids to control oil production. Retinoids like isotretonoin is very good for controlling sebum production and reducing pore size.
Lasers like PicoSure, a US FDA-approved laser, has been shown to be effective in rejuvenating the skin through photomechanical disruption to produce LIBO or laser induced optical breakdown. New elastin and collagen is produced, reducing the appearance of enlarged pores.
Other treatment methods like chemical peels and resurfacing lasers also help. Speak to your doctor for a consultation before deciding on the treatment best suited for you. Cheers!
Dr. Terence Tan
