Enlarged pores
What it is
Pores are follicle openings. Everyone has them, and their size is largely set by genetics and oil gland activity - but how visible they look changes, and that is what can be worked on.
Pores tend to look larger across the nose, inner cheeks and chin, where oil glands are denser.
Common causes
- Genetically larger follicle openings and more active oil glands
- Congestion stretching the opening from within
- Loss of firmness in the surrounding skin with age, so the opening loses support
- Sun damage, which reduces the elasticity that keeps pores tight
- Heavy or occlusive products that encourage congestion
When professional assessment helps
If pores have become noticeably more visible over time - rather than always having been prominent - that usually points to congestion, sun damage or loss of firmness, and those are addressable. A consultation can tell you which you are dealing with.
Treatment categories worth discussing
- Microneedling - discussed where loss of firmness in the surrounding skin is the driver
- Hydro facial - cleansing and extraction where congestion is stretching the opening
- Chemical peels - to manage oil and surface build-up around the pore
Suitability and considerations
Pore size cannot be permanently changed, and we would be sceptical of anyone who says otherwise. Active acne, sensitised skin and certain medications may make some treatments unsuitable. Results need maintenance, because oil production and congestion continue.
What is realistic
Pores can be made to look less visible - cleared of congestion, with firmer skin around them catching light differently. They cannot be closed or shrunk permanently.
Most people notice a difference over a course of treatments combined with a routine that keeps congestion down. Stop the maintenance and visibility returns.
Questions people ask
Can pores be closed permanently?
No. They can be made less visible, but pore size is largely structural and returns without maintenance.
Do pore strips help?
They remove surface debris temporarily and can irritate the surrounding skin. They do not change how the pore behaves.
Why do my pores look worse than they did ten years ago?
Usually loss of firmness in the skin around them, sun damage, or both - which is why treatments often target the surrounding skin rather than the pore itself.
Related treatments
Talk it through
Every plan starts with a consultation. We look at your skin, listen to your goals and talk through the options that suit you, including when a treatment is not the right choice.