A question we hear from time to time from rosacea sufferers is `how do I go about reducing the size of my skin pores ?’ This is quite a difficult question to properly answer. The enlarged pores that you sometimes see with rosacea or acne can feel like they will never go away.
You are here on this page because you feel sure that there must be a way to reduce the inflammation that leads to swollen pores on your face.
Here are some insightful thoughts from Dr. Linda Sy;
Pores can appear enlarged if filled with sebum & keratinized cells. When the epithelial cells are exfoliated or the sebum production is inhibited (example: by topical tretinoin or accutane prescription), the pores appear smaller. Therefore, any prescription that will reduce accumulation of sebum & keratin in the pores, will most likely help reduce the size.
I doubt that many doctors would recommend that you undertake a treatment regime of accutane just to reduce visible facial pores. If you also have the lump and bumps of acne, or severe pustules and redness of rosacea, you may find accutane is helpful in reducing the pore size also.
The NRS Ask the Doctors Blog also has a post asking Rosacea has made the pores on my face large. When I get my rosacea under control, will my pores return to their normal size?
The Rosacea Experts also come to a similar conclusion as Dr. Sy;
Topical and oral antibiotic therapy may be prescribed for mild cases, but more severe cases may sometimes be treated with isotretinoin, which is an oral medication typically used for severe acne. Clinical studies have shown that patients’ large sebaceous glands were diminished in size and number during isotretinoin therapy. There is also evidence that retinoids, topical medications with many of the same properties of isotretinoin, may decrease skin thickening and sebaceous gland enlargement. Spironolactone, a mild diuretic with anti-androgen properties, can also be used to decrease pore size.
Good to see some more suggested treatments for enlarged pores as I know this is something that worries many rosacea sufferers.
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Please leave a comment below with any hints or tips you have found that have helped you answer the question “how do I reduce the size of my pores ?”
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Can laser treatments also reduce pore size or appearance of pores?
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