As the outermost layer of the body and the largest organ on the body, your skin dominates your
appearance. Because of this, it’s a natural consequence that there is a great deal of attention paid to
the quality of skin in regards to your overall appearance. The pores of the skin in particular receive a
great deal of scrutiny.
Pores are tiny holes in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. They serve several functions,
including allowing for the passage of liquids and gases to exit our body, regulating body temperature as
well as giving skin a natural barrier to protect itself from bacteria.
There are two types of pores: oil pores and sweat pores.
Oil pores are connected to sebaceous (oil) glands. These release the body’s
natural oil, called sebum. Sebum acts as a natural emollient to enable a waterproof layer to form over
the skin. This provides protection to keep bacteria and other foreign particles out of your skin and
keeps moisture in. Healthy sebum production (not too much and not too little) can ensure that your skin
maintains optimum softness and flexibility. Sometimes the oil-releasing pores may appear enlarged.
Sweat pores are connected to sudoriferous (sweat) glands. There are many of these all
over your outer layer of skin.
While many people perceive their pores as blemishes, mainly when they’re enlarged (as can be the
case with oil pores), it is important to remember that they serve a critical role in keeping the skin
hydrated and healthy.
The key to an even complexion is to minimize their visibility.
Causes of Enlarged Pores
The pores get a bit of a bad rap, since the truth is that everyone has them – millions of them, in
fact. The pores of the skin are where the body’s natural oils called sebum are produced in glands under
the skin. The pores are also where the follicles of hair grow. Though pores are an important part of
your natural anatomy, they can be embarrassing when they are prominent.
Large pores may be a result of your natural genetics. Pore size is largely determined by genetics. It’s
true that the genes you inherit from your parents can make larger pores a possibility, but your diet and
lifestyle can also play a role. Pores can enlarge with age or appear larger when there is oil buildup.
Those with naturally oily skin tend to have larger pores. In some Vancouver patients, pores can also be
darkened by old dead skin cells, makeup, and the melanin pigment in the skin.
If your skin displays any of these traits, then your pores may look larger:
oily
affected by mild acne
appears less firm than it once was
Daily cleansing
Over time, clogged pores or an oily complexion can give the appearance of enlarged pores. However,
twice-daily cleansing may help unclog pores, prevent clogged pores, and reduce oiliness.
Exfoliation
To minimize the appearance of pores, exfoliate your skin regularly with a product designed for that
purpose. Improper exfoliation can cause damage to your skin; therefore, it’s essential to speak
with a skincare expert to make sure you’re not only doing it in the right way but also using the
right product.
Non-comedogenic products
Non-comedogenic means a product will not clog your pores. Clogged pores cause them to expand—and you don’t
want that, because it can make them appear larger than they are as well as contribute to the development
of inflammation and acne breakouts.
Sunscreen
The more sun-damaged a person’s skin, the less firm it is. The condition of sun-damaged skin
causes pores to appear more noticeable. That’s why you should avoid long term sun
exposure. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF30 or higher can help preserve the firmness of the
skin and protect against sun damage. Make sure to apply sunscreen daily and reapply as frequently as
necessary, even when the weather is inclement and cold. Sun damage occurs every time the sun’s
rays touch our skin. In addition, the damage accumulates over time.
Clearing your pores and undergoing other modern skin treatments can be extremely helpful in reducing pore
visibility.
Treatment Options
At the Heights Laser Centre, we offer Botox, IPL, and Sublative treatments. Each
treatment is effective in its own way for rejuvenating your appearance. Depending on your aesthetic goals
and the quality of your skin, the right treatment for you will vary.
Botox is an injectable treatment used to relax muscles in
the face. Large pore size is affected by certain small muscles. When key muscles of the face are
relaxed, the skin looks smoother and tighter, making pores less noticeable. Botox also blocks nerve
signals to sweat glands in order to reduce excess oil.
There is also IPL treatment, which is
a light-based therapy for rejuvenating the skin. IPL stands for “Intense Pulsed Light,” which is how the
treatment works – pulses of light are beamed towards the skin, and the light energy is absorbed by the
skin, thereby treating these areas. The treated area heals quickly, resulting in improved skin quality.
Sublative skin rejuvenation treatment is an advanced
skin treatment. The Sublative rejuvenation treatment, using eMatrix, is effective for all skin types and
uses bipolar radiofrequency waves to penetrate the skin. This triggers a healing effect that rejuvenates
the skin, resulting in tightening and lifting.
Skincare products containing retinol or retinyl
palmitate may help to reduce pore size. To get the most benefit from using these products, apply them at
night before you go to bed. Warning: if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using products
with these ingredients.
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Fantastic experience! Staff are the most helpful and nice to clients. I would definitely
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Dr. Jaffer & Adele made my first cosmetic experience very pleasant and relaxing. My consult was
very informative. The procedure was painless and quick. I would recommend this place to anyone.
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I'm so pleased with my visit and will recommend Dr. Jaffer to everyone.
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I have had a wonderful experience with Dr. Jaffer. He is so professional and very tentative and
actually listens to what you want Best results I've had.
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Experience The Heights Laser Centre Difference
Tried & Tested — By and On Ourselves
The many treatment options we offer are all Health Canada approved. They have been proven to be
safe and effective by countless studies. But that’s not all — we’ve tested out each
of the treatments we offer on ourselves to make sure they all work and do what they promise.
After all, we believe in helping you actually attain your goals, and we do this with our
personalized method of quality control.
We Welcome You
As our patient, you receive excellent medical aesthetic care in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Walk through the doors of our medical spa, and you become part of a family—one that’s sincerely
committed to achieving your personal goals.
That’s why we’re frequently complimented on how friendly our whole team is, from the
front staff to our doctors and technicians!
As a board certified physician-led practice, we have been accredited by the Better Business
Bureau since 2009 and have an A+ rating. You’ll receive high-quality care at every step of
your experience with us, from consultation to recovery. We take the time to get to know each
person that comes through our doors and ensure their comfort during treatment.
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