Enlarged pores are primarily caused by the overproduction of sebum, the skin’s natural oil, which accumulates in the pores and mixes with dead skin cells and other debris. This build up stretches the walls of the pore, which makes it appear larger. When sebum production is excessive, the skin’s natural exfoliation process can’t keep up, leading to clogged pores.

Additionally, the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, which naturally occurs with ageing, reduces the skin’s elasticity and support around the pores, causing them to dilate further. As the pore walls expand due to these combined factors, the pores become more visible, resulting in what we recognise as enlarged pores.

You are more likely to have enlarged pores if you have the following risk factors:

• Age: as you age, you may be more at risk for enlarged pores due to the loss of skin elasticity and collagen, which causes the pores to become more noticeable.
• Genetics: you may be more at risk for enlarged pores if you have a genetic predisposition, as pore size can be inherited from your parents.
• Lack of hydration: your pores will appear larger due to dehydration as the skin has insufficient elasticity and collagen to counter skin tightness from overstretching.
• Poor skincare habits: a poor skincare routine causes your pores to appear larger, especially when it is not properly cleansed to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells from the epidermis layer.
• Skin type: people with oily skin (link to service page) have a higher risk of having enlarged pores compared to those with dry or combination skin type.
• Sun exposure: your pores will appear larger if you are constantly exposed to sun, as it causes the skin to lose its elasticity and collagen, on top of coarsening the skin.

Diagnosing enlarged pores is a simple and straightforward procedure that does not require any special tests or dermatological equipment. At Harmony Therapeutics, our aesthetic doctors will closely examine your skin to observe the size of your pores. Additionally, the initial consultation will focus on the following assessment:

• Family history: for diagnosing enlarged pores, our aesthetic doctor will examine your family history and conduct a thorough skin assessment to identify any genetic factors and underlying causes contributing to the condition.
• Lifestyle choices: you will similarly be asked about your lifestyle habits, such as smoking, frequency of sun exposure and your diet. This will help our aesthetic doctors determine if your enlarged pores are caused by lifestyle factors.
• Skincare regime: as daily skincare habits have a direct impact on the size of your pores, our aesthetic doctors will want to know the products that you used, including make-up, and how you take care of your skin.

It is important to understand that the primary goal of treating enlarged pores is to minimise the size and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. As it is impossible to permanently shrink enlarged pores or make them disappear, the core element of the treatment is to cleanse the face of any impurities that may contribute to enlarged pores.

At Harmony Therapeutics, some of the facial treatments that address enlarged pores are:

• Restorativ facial: the electroporation and double masking elements of Restorative Facial increases skin hydration levels, thus effectively reducing pore size in the long run. Additionally, it also addresses damaged skin barrie issues which can result in more prominent appearance of pores.
• Regenerativ facial: this treatment nourishes the deeper layers of your skin, subsequently restoring overall structure and reducing the appearance of large pores. The deep hydration and nutrients provided during the treatment will leave your skin fuller and more supple.

• Revivaglow Treatment: the Revivaglow Treatment includes a microneedling element which allows deeper absorption of nutrients and promotes skin repair. This treatment helps to minimise the appearance of pores, aside from achieving a smoother skin texture all whilst stimulating collagen production.
• Vitality facial: our vitality facial is a 60-minute treatment that entails deep cleansing, gentle exfoliation and nourishment. By using the AQUAPURE system, it effectively removes impurities deep within the pores while gently removing dead skin cells to promote new skin cell growth. Aside from clearing out clogged pores and minimising the appearance of enlarged pores, our one-size-fits-all vitality facial will leave your skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.
• Purity facial: our purity facial combines AQUAPURE’S deep cleansing programme, which utilises the benefits of anti-bacterial light in preventing future acne breakouts, with a combination of anti-inflammatory and oil-control ingredients that target and clear clogged pores without aggravating the skin. The treatment also involves exfoliating the skin, followed by an extraction process to rid the skin of any impurities that contribute to enlarged pores.

If your enlarged pores have been causing you great distress, schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor for personalised treatment options and expert skincare advice to help minimise their appearance.