Dr Cook talks the best approach for treating breakouts - from moderate congestion, whiteheads and blackheads through to more complex acne.

My scrub will minimize my pores.....FALSE

As people age, change happens on the inside and the outside. Maturing affects everything from skin pigment to texture, so it’s mainly the world around your pores—the surrounding skin—that changes. Here’s a quick guide to understanding why (and how) your pores change, and solutions for keeping them managable.

What Affects Pore Size

It’s important to note that whatever your age, genetics largely determines your pore size. After genetics, pore appearance is most affected by hygiene; neglecting your skincare routine causes oil, dead skin cells and dirt to clog the pores, stretching them out and making them appear larger. The body’s output of pore-clogging oil, known as sebum, varies greatly depending on gender (men are more susceptible) and hormonal factors, including menstruation.

Changes As You Age

As the years pass, UV rays and other environmental factors cause the skin to lose its elasticity. When this happens, pores clogged with sebum, dirt and dead skin appear to be even larger than before. This is because the skin around each pore is not as firm and collagen-rich as in younger skin. Firm skin essentially supports pores, so it has the effect of making pores appear smaller, while looser, inelastic skin makes pores appear larger or more dilated.

So What Can You Do?

Regular exfoliation is key when it comes to battling enlarged pores. BUT not scrubs!!!!! The beads in scrubs are too large to get into the pore and in fact abrade skin-causing irritation and break down to the epidermal barrier function, which leads to a plethora of problems.

Use intelligent skin care ingredients to do the job, which will also add additional benefits to the skin having anti-ageing properties.

These ingredients are salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid. They will slough away dead skin cells, helping prevent clogged, enlarged pores. At the same time they up regulate the skins metabolism producing fresh new skin cells giving your skin a youthful glowing radiance. Long term use will refine pores while also boost collagen. They will therefore prevent pore enlargement. You can incorporate this into your daily routine using the Concentrated Clarifier, or weekly routine using the Concentrated Micropeel. Over washing is NOT the answer. Always cleanse gently Concentrated Cleanser.

At the Dermatologist Office + In The Aesthetician’s Chair

To get blackheads and clogged pores clean, see an experienced aesthetician on a regular basis—ideally monthly, if you can.

Check out our Hydrafacial Medical grade facials. Deep cleansing with immediate results and no trauma.

You can shrink pores permanently with non ablative laser treatments like the Sciton BBL. BUT make sure you see an expert. Other treatments use specialised beams of light that shrink emptied pores by contracting oil-producing sebaceous glands, while still others use a combination of suction, light and topical agents to shrink enlarged pores. Any in-office treatment is nothing without good home maintenance. So check out my skincare : Dr Natasha Cook Cosmeceuticals.