Cutis has a recent article that seeks to address a common condition amoungst acne and rosacea sufferers – visibly enlarged facial pores. This condition can have a negative effect on rosacea sufferers’ quality of life, and traditionally is hard to treat.

Enlarged Facial Pores: An Update on Treatments

Cutis. 2016 July;98(1):33-36.

Joanna Dong, BA; Julien Lanoue, MD; Gary Goldenberg, MD

Enlarged facial pores remain a common dermatologic and cosmetic concern from acne and rosacea, among other conditions, that is difficult to treat due to the multifactorial nature of their pathogenesis and negative impact on patients’ quality of life.

Enlarged facial pores are primarily treated through addressing associative factors, such as increased sebum production and cutaneous aging. We review the current treatment modalities for enlarged or dense facial pores, including topical retinoids, chemical peels, oral antiandrogens, and lasers and devices, with a focus on newer therapies.

The article covers possible therapies in 3 main areas. Note that many of these treatments may be too harsh for rosacea sufferers.

Topical Therapies

• Topical Retinoids
• Tazarotene
• Tretinoin
• copper chlorophyllin complex sodium salt (CHLcu) and tetra-hydro-jasmonic acid (LR2412).
• Chlorophyllin copper complex sodium salt
• Tetra-hydro-jasmonic acid

Chemical Peels

Oral Therapies

• antiandrogens, such as combined oral contraceptives, spironolactone, and cyproterone acetate

Lasers, Radiofrequency, and Ultrasound Devices

• intense focused ultrasound using a 3-mm transducer
• nonablative 1440-nm diode fractional laser received

See the article Enlarged Facial Pores: An Update on Treatments for more information

Dr. Linda Sy had some thoughts on visible pore size in 2008.

Enlarged Pores, Sebum Buildup

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 rx), the pores appear smaller.

Therefore, any rx that will reduce accumulation of sebum & keratin in the pores, will most likely help reduce the size. From your description of dry rough texture in the nasolabial folds, you may also have seborrheic dermatitis. I suggest that you discuss this possibility with your dermatologist.

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