How to minimise large pores

October 5, 2021
How to minimise large pores

Approx 4 minute read |

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have a lot to answer for when it comes to the perfect skin so many are lusting after. 

We all love a filter especially on a bad skin day, but filters distort reality. Many are chasing flawless skin that rarely exists. If you zoom in on a selfie and you don’t see pores, it’s filtered. Pore-less skin is simply not possible. So don’t feel bad if your pores are showing, we’re all human.
Large pores affect many people, as they can make the skin appear shiny or greasy, but there are ways to reduce and control the size of your pores which can really improve the skin’s overall appearance. Most people don’t really understand why their pores have become enlarged. To put it simply, they are stretched out and here’s how it happens:

Clogged pores = Enlarged pores 

Pores are the openings from which hair emerges (they are in fact also called “hair follicles”) and there are millions all over our skin. When pores become clogged - either by dirt, oil or dead skin cells, they can look bigger. 
Skin with clogged pores can often look dull or lacklustre and is likely to frequently break out. In order to keep skin looking healthy and radiant, it’s of utmost importance to increase your collagen production as well as exfoliate the skin deeply. Clogged pores can also result in pimples if they become inflamed.
The best-known exfoliators to unclog pores are Vitamin A and Retinol, as well as Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid. These not only gently exfoliate and remove skin cells, they also increase the production of new skin cells too. So, the next time you’re out looking for an exfoliator, make sure it contains a chemical exfoliator to gently dissolve dead skin cells rather than a scrub which can actually do more harm than good to your skin’s natural barrier function. If you are not sure whether a product is suitable for your skin type, it's always best to seek professional skincare advice.

Collagen Loss

Aside from debris in the follicles, another factor that can cause clogged pores is collagen loss. When our skin loses collagen, its structure is not as dense as it once was, and so pores will appear larger in size. 

When we hit 30, our skin will naturally begin to slow down the production of collagen, and since collagen loss is one of the root causes of enlarged pores, its evermore important to really protect the skin from any external damage. Sun damage is particularly detrimental to the skin and leads to an accelerated loss of collagen and therefore, visibly enlarged pores.

By applying SPF every day (rain or shine!) you will protect your skin and its collagen production from the damaging effects of the sun and environment. Although many are not aware of it, the best SPFs are actually those that offer protection not only from the outdoors, but indoors too! Synergy 6 NX-Gen SPF50 by Intradermology blends six filters that protect the skin from UV rays and environmental pollutants whilst outside, but also uses Arabian Cotton Extract to provide essential protection against the skin-damaging blue lights from our electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and even the TV. 

Banish large pores with WOW fusion® 

The ultimate solution for enlarged pores is a professional facial. The WOW facial® is a six-stage transformational facial that uses the most advanced skincare technologies carefully selected and meticulously arranged to leave skin glowing, luminous, and healthy, with long-lasting results.
The star of the treatment is undoubtedly the multi-award-winning WOW fusion® needling device. Microneedling has been proven to be an effective method to combat enlargened pores because it helps build the collagen back up. As we recently explained in our article “Microneedling explained”, this procedure is also referred to as “collagen induction therapy”, because it encourages your skin to naturally produce more collagen.

The tiny pinpricks from microneedling cause slight injuries to the skin, which stimulates its natural healing response thus increasing the amount of collagen it produces. The newly-formed skin tissue is therefore thicker making pores appear smaller with the overall skin texture looking more even toned and visibly smoother. 
If you’d like to try the WOW facial®️ treatment too, click on ‘Find a provider’ from the main menu, enter your postcode and choose ‘WOW facial centre’ from the dropdown menu, then click search. Your closest practitioners will be listed, so you can contact your nearest clinic to book your skin assessment and begin your journey to #WOWskin.
Are you interested in becoming a WOW facial practitioner? If you are considering becoming a certified WOW practitioner, please contact our team at info@wowfacial.co.uk. We offer regular training courses both in-person and online, as well as ongoing support to all our practitioners.

Author: Danielle
Category: Skincare, WOW Journal