Pores and Myths Debunked!

Oily and combination complexions have a problem, pores. Pore is mainly a channel in our skin transporting the sebum produced by the sebaceous gland  and also harbors the hair follicle inside it . Here is a diagram of the skin.

The size of the pores are usually dependent on our genes. On the other hand several factors like skin care routine and hygiene also play a role.

Myth 1: Pores open and close.

There are no muscles around your pores that would allow them to open and close. No opening no closing. Sounds like fish or frog skin!   So steaming your face is not going to “open” your pores. It will only help you to losen up the dirt and sebum in your pores and easier to extract them.

Myth 2: You can make your pores smaller even disappear.

Wrong. well in that case you can ask if the pores do not open and close, why are they huge? Can I make them smaller or even shrink them?

Bad cleaning habits result in accumulation of dirt, sebum and dead cells on your skin. This will clog up your pores, which will stretch and enlarge the openings of the pores. Result: cloged pores= big pores with blackheads or whiteheads (pimples).

Current studies show that excess sebum can enlarge the size of the pores  [1].  In women the pore size was found to be increased during ovulation and was altered during menstrual period [1].

In addition to dirt, sebum and dead cells, sun damage and aging also increases the pore size. With increasing age, the elasticity of the skin decreases and the opening of the pores becomes enlarged  [2].

You can minimize the appearance of your pores now and prevent them to enlarge any further as you age by following a daily skin care routine.

Myth 3: Blackheads have black dirt in it.

The blackness in the black heads is not dirt. It is actually due to the oxidation of the sebum in those pores with air. Blackheads happen in pores with openings  [3]. To prevent blackheads you can clean and exfoliate your face based on the needs of your skin type.

Myth4: Pop the pimple, get rid of it!

Whiteheads are pores that does not have an opening like blackheads. The sebum is stuck inside and is not oxidized, which looks creamy white. When you squeeze it, sebum with dead cells and possibly some bacteria could cause further inflammation around the area of the pimple. Squeezing can also damage the skin resulting in hyperpigmentation and scarring of the tissue. So don’t pop your pimples. If it really bothers you, visit your dermatologist.

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References
1- Sebum output as a factor contributing to the size of facial pores.Roh M, Han M, Kim D, Chung K.Br J Dermatol. 2006 Nov;155(5):890-4.

2-Sebum, acne, skin elasticity, and gender difference – which is the major influencing factor for facial pores?Kim BY, Choi JW, Park KC, Youn SW.Skin Res Technol. 2013 Feb;19(1):e45-53.

3-ABC of Dermatology (ABC Series) [Paperback]Paul K. Buxton (Editor), Rachael Morris-Jones (Editor)  ISBN-10: 1405170654

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.