Dilated pores: how to tighten your pores?

Dilated pores are pretty common in both men and women. Inevitably, this problem can lead to imperfections such as spots or even acne.

It’s not odd, then, that dilated pores can often be a source of insecurity, especially when skin lesions appear right in the middle of your face. Fortunately, cosmetics may now provide remedies to remove dilated pores.

Dilated pores: what are they?

Pores are small orifices produced by sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles. They are what enables the skin to breathe.

They are often located on your face in a T-shaped area, especially on the sides of your nose, your chin and your forehead. Pores are always dilated to a greater or lesser extent and are often more or less noticeable depending on the individual. Usually, they are more visible in men. This is due to androgen hormones that appear to induce sebum development during puberty.

Dilated pores are more noticeable to people with oily skin. However, some people with dry, sensitive skin can also have dilated pores. The same is true of people with mature skin.

If the pores are dilated, they may become infected. This can lead to blackheads or tiny spots in the form of microcysts when they are obstructed.

Dilated pores: what are the causes?

Dilated pores occur for a number of reasons:

Genetics: in most cases, individuals with dilated pores have family members with the same traits.
Hormonal imbalance: especially during puberty, menopause or pregnancy. Indeed, dilated pores can occur when the sebaceous glands are highly activated by hormones. This is due to androgens, male hormones that stimulate this development.
Skin dehydration: dilated pores occur more frequently on dehydrated skin.
Poor healthy habits: too much fat in your meal or even tobacco can cause pores to become dilated. A diet that is too rich will make the skin oilier. Nicotine present in cigarettes has a harmful effect on the skin's hyaluronic acid, which is responsible for the hydration of the cells.
Sun and UV rays: the skin thickens and holds sebum more easily after prolonged exposure to the sun. After a few weeks, the skin becomes thinner again and secretes the excess sebum that leads the pores to dilate.

Dilated pores: what are the solutions?

Dilated pores are often seen as an unflattering problem, and there are several potential ways to treat them.

Cosmetic medicine can provide very useful solutions to combat dilated pores. This applies especially to facial peels, mesotherapy and other laser techniques which provide very satisfactory results.

In certain cases, simple cosmetic or esthetic treatment will be sufficient to make the skin completely smooth.