Shrink Enlarged Pores Like a Dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu

Summary

In this informative video, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu addresses common concerns about pore size, explaining that while pore size is influenced by factors like sebum production and aging, there is no medical standard for 'enlarged' pores. She discusses effective topical treatments like retinoids, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to improve pore appearance and skin health, emphasizing the importance of moisturizer and sunscreen. Additionally, she suggests in-office procedures for more severe cases and highlights the impact of lifestyle and diet on skin health.

Takeaways

• 🧬 Pore size is subjective and varies between individuals and can be influenced by external and internal factors.
• 🔍 Pore size is determined by factors such as gender, ethnicity, sebum production, clogged pores, certain products, and skin aging.
• 💧 Pore size is not changeable in a permanent way, but its appearance can be improved through various methods.
• 💊 Topical retinoids can unclog pores, improve skin elasticity, and help with fine lines and acne.
• 🍋 Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) like salicylic acid are effective for unclogging pores and treating acne.
• 🍯 Niacinamide can help control sebum production and is less irritating at lower percentages.
• 🧴 Moisturizers and sunscreen are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing sun damage, which can enlarge pores.
• 🧪 In-office procedures like medical-grade chemical peels, microneedling, and laser treatments can improve pore appearance by stimulating collagen production.
• 💥 Oral retinoids and medications that reduce hormones affecting sebum production can be prescribed by dermatologists for severe cases.
• 🧼 Over-cleansing can increase oil production and inflammation, so it's important to use a cleanser appropriate for your skin type.
• 🥗 A balanced diet, avoiding high glycemic index foods, fatty foods, and potentially dairy can influence hormones and help manage acne and oil production.
• 💤 Adequate sleep and regular exercise contribute to overall body health, which in turn benefits the skin's health.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video by Dr. Jenny Liu?

The main topic of the video is pore size, specifically discussing ways to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and how to unclog and treat pores, especially in the context of acne.

What are pores and what structures are they associated with?

Pores are essentially openings on our skin associated with underlying structures, most commonly oil glands and sweat glands.

Is there a standard definition for enlarged pores in dermatology literature?

No, there is no standard definition for enlarged pores in dermatology literature. It is largely subjective and varies from person to person.

What factors influence pore size?

Factors that influence pore size include gender, ethnicity, increase in sebum production, clogged pores, certain products used, and aging of the skin which affects skin elasticity.

What is the role of topical retinoids in treating pores?

Topical retinoids help unclog pores by removing dead skin buildup, improve skin elasticity, and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, especially in the context of acne.

Why are salicylic acid (BHA) products recommended over glycolic acid (AHA) for unclogging pores?

Salicylic acid is recommended over glycolic acid because it has better oil gland penetration, helps more effectively unclog sebum deeper in pores, and can be helpful in treating acne and blackheads.

What is the importance of moisturizer and sunscreen in skincare routine according to the video?

Moisturizer is key for repairing the skin barrier and supporting skin health, while sunscreen is crucial for preventing sun damage that can degrade collagen and elastin, leading to enlarged pores and fine lines.

What are some in-office procedures that can help minimize the appearance of pores?

In-office procedures that can help minimize the appearance of pores include medical-grade high-strength chemical peels, microneedling, and laser-based resurfacing procedures.

What are the two most commonly prescribed medications by dermatologists for enlarged pores and acne?

The two most commonly prescribed medications are oral retinoids, such as Accutane, and oral medications like spironolactone that can reduce hormones affecting sebum production.

How can lifestyle and diet habits influence the condition of our skin and pores?

Lifestyle and diet habits can influence hormones that affect the skin, with high glycemic index foods, fatty foods, and potentially dairy products stimulating oil glands and increasing sebum production. Adequate sleep and exercise are also important for overall skin health.

Why is it not recommended to over-cleanse the skin, and what should be the frequency of cleansing?

Over-cleansing can increase inflammation and sebum production, which can worsen acne and the appearance of pores. The recommended frequency of cleansing is twice a day, or once a day if necessary.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 Understanding Pore Size and Enlargement

Dr. Jenny Liu, a board-certified dermatologist, addresses common questions about pore size, discussing its variability and factors that influence it, such as sebum production, clogged pores, certain skincare products, and aging. She clarifies that while there's no medical standard for 'large pores,' there are ways to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. The video will cover both at-home treatments and professional procedures to minimize pore appearance.

05:01

🛠️ Effective Topical Treatments for Pore Management

The second paragraph focuses on effective topical treatments for managing pore size and clogged pores. Dr. Liu recommends topical retinoids for unclogging pores and improving skin elasticity, salicylic acid (BHA) for its oil gland penetration and acne treatment benefits, and a combination of glycolic and lactic acid (AHAs) for skin exfoliation. She suggests specific products like Clean and Clear's acne spot treatment, CeraVe's acne control gel, and Cetaphil's gentle clear mattifying acne moisturizer, emphasizing the importance of moisturizer and sunscreen in maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing sun damage.

10:02

🏥 In-Office Procedures and Additional Tips for Pore Refinement

In the final paragraph, Dr. Liu outlines in-office procedures that can improve pore appearance, such as high-strength chemical peels and resurfacing treatments like microneedling, fraxel, or laser-based procedures. She also mentions oral medications like retinoids and spironolactone that can be prescribed for acne and enlarged pores. Additional tips include avoiding over-cleansing, maintaining a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and ensuring adequate sleep and exercise, all of which contribute to overall skin health.

Keywords

💡Pore Size

Pore size refers to the diameter of the openings on the skin that are associated with oil and sweat glands. In the video, pore size is a central topic as it is often a concern for aesthetic reasons. The script discusses that pore size can be influenced by various factors such as sebum production and aging, and although it cannot be truly altered, its appearance can be minimized through certain skincare practices.

💡Sebum Production

Sebum is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. The video explains that an increase in sebum production can contribute to the appearance of enlarged pores by clogging them. This is a key factor in understanding how pore size can be perceived and how acne may develop, which relates to the overall theme of managing and improving pore appearance.

💡Topical Retinoids

Topical retinoids are a class of medications applied to the skin and are discussed in the video as an effective way to unclog pores and improve skin elasticity. They are relevant to the video's theme as they are recommended for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and treating acne by removing dead skin cells and promoting collagen production.

💡Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used in skincare for its ability to penetrate oil glands and unclog pores. The video emphasizes its effectiveness in treating acne and improving the appearance of enlarged pores by exfoliating the skin and removing buildup of dead skin and oil.

💡Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is mentioned in the video for its potential role in controlling sebum production and improving the skin's barrier function. It is recommended in lower percentages to avoid irritation and is highlighted as an ingredient in moisturizers and serums that can help with pore management.

💡Moisturizer

A moisturizer is a skincare product used to hydrate the skin and maintain its barrier function. In the context of the video, moisturizers are essential for preventing excessive sebum production that can be caused by dehydrated skin, thus indirectly affecting the appearance of pores.

💡Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a product that protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The video underscores the importance of sunscreen in preventing sun damage that can degrade collagen and elastin, leading to enlarged pores and accelerated skin aging.

💡Microneedling

Microneedling is an in-office procedure discussed in the video that involves creating tiny punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. It is presented as an effective method for improving the appearance of pores by enhancing skin elasticity.

💡Laser-Based Procedures

Laser-based procedures are resurfacing treatments mentioned in the video that can tighten the skin and improve its elasticity, thereby helping to minimize the appearance of pores. These procedures are part of the professional treatments offered to address enlarged pores.

💡Oral Retinoids

Oral retinoids, such as Accutane, are systemic medications discussed in the video that can shrink oil glands and potentially improve pore size by reducing sebum production. They are prescribed by dermatologists for severe acne and pore-related concerns.

💡Lifestyle and Diet

The video touches on the impact of lifestyle and diet on skin health, particularly in relation to pore size and acne. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, along with avoiding smoking and ensuring adequate sleep and exercise, are recommended to support overall skin health and the appearance of pores.

Highlights

Dr. Jenny Liu, a board-certified dermatologist, discusses pore size concerns and methods to reduce their appearance.

Pores are openings on the skin associated with oil and sweat glands, and their size can vary due to gender and ethnicity.

There is no medical standard for defining pore size, making it a subjective measure.

Factors influencing pore size include sebum production, clogged pores, certain skincare products, and skin aging.

Pores do not open and shut, and their size cannot be truly altered, but their appearance can be improved.

Topical retinoids can unclog pores and improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of enlarged pores.

Salicylic acid (BHA) is recommended over glycolic acid (AHA) for unclogging pores due to better oil gland penetration.

CeraVe's acne control gel combines 2% salicylic acid with AHAs for synergistic pore-clearing effects.

Cetaphil's gentle clear mattifying acne moisturizer is a mild option for sensitive skin prone to clogged pores.

Niacinamide can help control sebum production and is available in various skincare formulations.

Moisturizers and sunscreen are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing sun damage.

Medical-grade chemical peels and resurfacing procedures like microneedling can improve pore appearance.

Oral retinoids and medications that reduce hormones can be prescribed for severe pore and acne issues.

Over-cleansing can increase oil production, so it's important to use an appropriate cleanser for your skin type.

Lifestyle and diet can influence hormones that affect the skin, with antioxidant-rich foods being beneficial.

Adequate sleep and exercise contribute to overall health, which in turn supports skin health.

Taking care of overall health is as important as skincare for achieving the full benefits for your skin.

Transcripts

hey guys welcome back today i want to

talk about a topic that i frequently get

asked as a board certified dermatologist

by my patients in clinic as well as on

my social media and that is pore size

are there ways to truly reduce your pore

size and what can you do when you have

enlarged pores and what are some of the

products you can use to reduce the

appearance as well as help to unclog

pores especially when it comes to

treating clogged pores in the setting of

acne my name is dr jenny liu i'm a board

certified dermatologist and welcome to

my youtube channel i'm passionate about

skin skincare and all things derm

related so what are pores pores are

essentially openings on our skin

associated with underlying structure

most commonly oil glands and sweat

glands now we all have pores pore size

is something that obviously may be of an

aesthetic concern that unfortunately is

influenced by external and internal

factors unfortunately when it comes to

defining horse size or enlarged pores

even in the dermatologic literature you

know medically there is really no

standard definition a lot of it is

really subjective what you view to be

maybe larger relative to somebody else's

pore size or just even on our own skin

certain parts of our face especially

like around the middle of our cheeks and

nose the pore size tends to be more

visible than say on our lateral cheeks

right so what determines pore size we

know that poor size varies between

gender so men tend to have larger pores

than women even amongst different

ethnicities pore size can vary things

that influence our pore size includes

increase in sebum production clogged

pores which often can give off the

impairments of a larger pore size acne

certain products that we use and even

aging of the skin can cause a decrease

in the elasticity of our skin that

therefore causes the pores to be more

enlarged pores don't open and shut they

don't shrink there are certain things

that we can do to help improve

elasticity of your skin but contrary to

what you may read washing your face with

cold water steaming your face with hot

water does not cause your pores to open

and shut you know our pores are in many

ways constant in size although we can't

truly influence the constant size of

your pores there are ways we can help to

reduce appearance of their enlargement

so how can we do that i'm going to break

down this video into topical things that

you can use at home as well as for in

severe cases procedures that you can do

in office that can help to minimize the

appearance of pores so what are some of

the most effective topical products you

can use well number one topical

retinoids not a surprise right guys

topical retinoids we know does a few

things number one it helps to unclog

pores when we talk about blackheads and

whiteheads especially in the setting of

acne what's happening is that collection

of dead skin with oil and bacteria just

sits at the opening and dilates the

opening and makes the appearance of your

pores enlarged so with topical retinoids

you help to really remove that buildup

of dead skin and thereby improving the

appearance of pores another benefit of

topical retinoids is that they do help

to build collagen and improve your

overall skin elasticity and help with

fine lines and often that we see in aged

skin and so if the pore size is also due

to just aging of the skin and loss of

skin elasticity topical retinoids are

also going to be helpful in that matter

as well now when i mention topical

retinoids i'm mostly referring to

over-the-counter adaptolene that is

going to be the most effective or

prescription retinoids unfortunately

here you're not going to get significant

benefit with the poor unclogging and

acne treatment benefits when you're just

using over-the-counter retinol right now

the high that's more suitable for those

who are looking to improve signs of

aging another product to consider are

salicylic acid beta hydroxy acids and

even a little bit of glycolic acid alpha

hydroxy acids can be helpful here again

what we are trying to do is just improve

skin turnover help with exfoliation help

just to remove the dead skin and oil

buildup that has contributed to the

appearance of enlarged pores if you were

to pick between ah and bha i highly

recommend going with bha salicylic acid

the reasons our number one salicylic

acid has better oil gland penetration

helps to more effectively unclog that

sebum that is deeper in your pores helps

to improve blackheads and whiteheads and

can be helpful in the setting of

treating acne and for some individuals

in certain products depending on how

it's formulated it can also help a

little bit with shine control i

recommend going with levon products

they're going to be able to sit on your

skin longer to have an effect one of the

cheaper option for acne clogged pore etc

is just the one from clean and clear

acne spot treatment salicylic acid and

this contains two percent in a gel

formulation that is very cheap and

effective and i just recommend using

this starting off once a day apply to

the affected areas for most people it's

like the t-zone and then make sure you

follow with a moisturizer at night or

moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning

another product i really like that

contains a blend of two percent

salicylic acid as well as ahas namely

glycolic and lactic acid is from cerave

their acne control gel this is another

gel product that you would apply very

similarly to the clinic clear product

but it's got a combination of aha and

bha that will help to work

synergistically to help remove some of

the superficial buildup of dead skin

with the ahas and then the two percent

salicylic acid is going to go a little

bit deeper into your skin to help unclog

some of that oil debris also has three

essential ceramides like all of service

products and i find this to be slightly

more hydrating than the clear and clear

product now if you have super dry

insensitive skin and can't tolerate gel

products containing salicylic acid but

want to use a beta hydroxy acid one i

recommend is from cetaphil their gentle

clear mattifying acne moisturizer now

this is a moisturizer that contains 0.05

salicylic acid with the lower

percentages you're going to get less

irritation it may take you slightly

longer to notice the result here but

again when i cut when we're talking

about unclogging pores and treating

blackheads and whiteheads it's not a

sprint guys it's really a marathon

because if you overdo it that irritation

can lead to further inflammation

increase in sebum production and really

work against your goals of improving

blackheads and whiteheads and the

appearance of your pores and this is

pretty gentle so you can use it up to

twice a day if needed but i would say if

you are really sensitive skin and dry

consider starting off with once a day

and like i said it has some mattifying

benefits especially for those who have

more oily skin and offer some shine

control another ingredient that can be

helpful is niacinamide and here i'm

talking about the lower percentages you

know four to five percent or less we

don't actually know how nice in a mine

works and temporarily controlling sebum

production we think maybe it helps with

the outflow or what have you but here

going with the lower percentages can be

helpful and it's going to be less

irritating definitely don't recommend

that 10 or 20 that can number one cause

more irritation and two really studies

have not shown that high percentages are

more effective aside from the irritation

moisturizers with niacinamide is one of

my favorite ways but otherwise serums

you know there are a handful one of my

current favorite serums that contain

niacinamide is called beauty of josan

and this is their glow serum with

propolis and two percent niacinamide so

this is a really great concentration

here and it contains some honey extract

this is a little bit more of a sticky

serum and so for those with oily skin or

who live in a more humid environment you

may not enjoy this as much two other

products i really like that contains

niacinamide in a moisturizer formulation

the naturam nice and of my gel cream and

this is five percent this is a

lightweight gel cream suitable for those

with oily skin it absorbs quickly is

lightweight and you're getting a good

amount of niacinamide in the appropriate

concentration that's going to be helpful

with sebum control as well so that is

what i recommend checking out if you

have more combination or slightly dry

skin i recommend checking out the one

from la roche posay that's suitable for

all skin types depending on the season

and what else you're using with it but

this contains niacinamide glycerin and

it's very hydrating but not sticky or

heavy okay lastly we talked about all

these active ingredients but two things

that you absolutely must do that should

not be neglected is moisturizer and

sunscreen these are essentials of skin

care as i mentioned earlier excessive

sebum production can be a sign that your

skin barrier is not healthy and it's

dehydrated so moisturizers are really

going to be key here in helping your

skin repair itself support your skin

barrier just have to find a moisturizer

that you like that works well for your

skin so general rule if you're oily skin

go with oil free maybe gel cream

formulation if you are more dry skin

consider something that is more of a

richer green when your skin is

dehydrated and dry that inflammation can

induce more sebum production that's

going to work against your goals as i

mentioned earlier and lastly sunscreen

super important we've talked about this

before right guys one of the risk

factors for enlarged forest is sun

damage sun degrades your collagen and

elastin and that is why when we look at

older skin their pore size are more

visible sunscreen is by far the most

important when we are talking about

anti-aging and prevention of fine lines

and wrinkles and preventing the you know

the breakdown of collagen on our skin so

sunscreen must be worn on a regular

basis the best sunscreen is the one that

you like that you would want to wear on

a daily basis as far as like the type of

sunscreen mineral versus chemical i

think they're all going to be great

again it just has to do with what your

skin likes and what you like enough that

you can wear on a daily basis so now

let's quickly talk about some of the in

office procedures that can be done to

help improve the appearance of your

pores number one are more medical grade

high strength chemical peels so

salicylic acid based peels for example

that are in the percentages of 30 or

even higher that should be really

performed by a trained professional that

can be helpful especially when done

serially over time and controlling with

sebum oily skin and helping to unclog

pores leaning out some of the skin color

and skin tone that often can be

associated with acne and acne

hyperpigmentation probably by far one of

the most effective treatments in

tightening the skin and thereby

improving the elasticity and the

appearance of your pores are resurfacing

procedures so microneedling as well as

fraxel or laser-based procedures that

can help to stimulate collagen and

tighten your skin are going to be really

helpful too keep in mind that with any

of these procedures it's not a one-time

thing it can be expensive it's truly an

investment but all of these are often

done you know on a monthly basis over

the course of these three to five

sessions at the very least before a

noticeable improvement is seen so

medications a dermatologist can

prescribe can be helpful especially when

you are experiencing enlarged pores and

acne at the same time so the two most

commonly prescribed medications are

number one oral retinoids so accutane

you know we know the acute works by

shrinking down oil glands most people

get really dry and thereby over time can

potentially improve your pore size and

the oral medications that can reduce

hormones that have a downstream effect

on increasing sebum and here the most

common i prescribe would be

spironolactone so again these are

something that you're interested in

please talk to your dermatologist now a

couple of other tips number one oil

production can increase with over

cleansing of your skin if you have oily

skin over cleansing can actually

increase the inflammation and sebum

production so make sure that you are

using a cleanser that's appropriate for

your skin please do not over cleanse

your skin we just need to wash our face

twice a day if not once a day and so

making sure that your cleanser is right

for your skin and lastly lifestyle and

diet habits can also influence hormones

that have downstream effect on our skin

high glycemic index foods fatty foods

and potentially dairy products that are

associated with acne they all influence

acne in the sense that it actually

stimulates oil glands and produce more

sebum so making sure that you are eating

more well-balanced rich and healthy

carbohydrates healthy fat and protein

and foods that contains a lot of

antioxidants are going to just be

healthy overall for your skin avoid

smoking we know that smoking causes a

lot of oxidative stress inflammation and

accelerates the aging of our skin lastly

making sure you're getting adequate

sleep and exercise these are things that

are just going to be helpful for our

overall body health and when our body is

healthy our skin is going to be

healthier you know when we talk about

making changes that impact our skin

obviously we start at the skin care

level because that has direct impact on

our skin but if you're not taking good

care of your body and overall health

really doesn't matter how much you do to

your skin care the full benefits are not

gonna come through so taking care of

your body is just as important all right

i hope you guys found this video to be

helpful let me know if you have any

questions please comment below and if

you enjoy watching this video please

give it a thumbs up and i will see you

guys next time bye