Large pores can be a bummer, especially after working so hard to get other skin imperfections under control. They serve a purpose, but when they’re too large, they can look more like blackheads.
If you’ve tried practically every trick in the book to diminish the size of your pores, your money is likely being wasted on products that simply don’t work. The truth is, most of what you think you know about your pores is untrue, and there are only a few ways you can truly minimize their appearance. If you’re considering acne laser treatments to reduce the size of your pores, read this first.
The body actually has two types of pores. One type holds hair follicles and serves the purpose of lubricating the skin with natural oils. The other kind of pores release sweat and are required to cool down the body. Both kinds of pores can get clogged, but it’s the ones that hold hair follicles that create frustrating skin issues such as acne and blackheads.
Our pores don’t actually grow or shrink; their size is genetically predetermined. While there are plenty of products on the market claiming to reduce the size of your pores, what they’re actually doing is cleaning them out. When bacteria gets trapped in a pore, it can stretch it out so that it appears larger. What you’re actually seeing, however, are deep set, stubborn blackheads. So, when someone says that using a warm washcloth will help to shrink your pores, what it’s really doing is softening the bacteria that has become trapped in your skin. Sometimes, this can make it easier to get out with a facial scrub or mask.
Another reason your pores might appear larger is a lack of collagen. As we age and our skin loses its elasticity, it begins to sag and stretch. Unfortunately, this applies to our pores as well, and they will naturally stretch as the years pass.
Using a fractional laser, acne laser treatments can target the bacteria that’s causing your pores to be stretched out. If you’ve tried every product under the sun and still can’t seem to get your pores under control, then the bacteria might just be too deep in the skin for you to extract on your own. Fractional lasers are able to target areas deep under the skin’s surface without damaging the outer layers. In fact, these kinds of lasers leave little evidence on the face that they were even used.
Laser treatments can also be used to target other skin imperfections such as acne scars, blemishes, or wrinkles. The laser eliminates any damaged skin cells and encourages the body to produce collagen naturally during the healing process. Collagen is your skin’s best friend and will significantly reduce the appearance of scars and fine lines. Since the loss of collagen is an issue as we age and can make our pores appear larger, collagen production will also help your skin gain back some elasticity, which will, in turn, prevent your skin from stretching. Ultimately, this will minimize the appearance of your pores.
Whether you’ve got your skin under control or not, acne laser treatments can do far more than reduce the appearance of your pores. Your laser sessions can be customized so that only your problem areas are being treated and eliminated. Treatments are quick, often taking less than 20 minutes each, depending on the size of the area being treated. While the most common problem area acne laser treatments address is the face, it’s certainly not limited to that area. If you have acne scarring or any other imperfections on your chest, back, shoulders, or anywhere else, then this might be the right solution for you.
As a noninvasive procedure, there are little to no side effects of receiving laser treatment for acne scars. In fact, many people schedule their appointments before heading to work or even on their lunch breaks. You’ll see results after just one treatment and will likely only need a few treatments to get the results you’re looking for.
For the best results, you will likely need several sessions. Every patient’s needs are different, but on average, patients need about 4 to 6 treatments. Your laser specialist will do a personalized skin consultation to determine the best course of treatment for you.
To prepare for your appointment for acne laser treatment timeline, you may need to make some temporary lifestyle changes during the two weeks before your appointment, including:
If you take any medications to treat acne, you may need to stop that in the weeks prior to your appointment. You may be prescribed a preventive antibiotic medication if you’re prone to cold sores.
It is especially important to care for your skin properly after your laser treatment. Your skin is more vulnerable to damage from the sun, so applying sunscreen before you head out is extremely important. Avoid tanning or any kind of prolonged exposure to the sun for 6 to 8 weeks.
You may be given a special toner or moisturizer to help you benefit from your treatment even more. Additionally, you want to keep the treated area clean and avoid makeup for a week, possibly longer.
It is not uncommon for you to notice results right away, but wait 7 to 10 days to see the full results of your treatment. Acne scar reduction results are typically permanent while the skins improved elasticity can last weeks to months before requiring additional treatment.
Contact Body Details today to speak with one of our knowledgeable providers for a consultation to determine whether laser treatment can help improve the appearance of your pores or correct other skin imperfections like scars, blemishes, or wrinkles. We’ll answer all of your questions during your free consultation for laser hair removal. We have locations throughout South Florida to meet your needs.
Watch this video of Veronica Vega getting her first acne laser treatment and get a better idea of what you can expect for yourself: