Did you know that there are millions of sweat glands throughout the body? And wherever you find these glands, you also find skin pores. These openings bring out sweat produced by sweat glands.
Skin pores also excrete oil from sebaceous glands. While these glands are in many places, they appear in higher concentrations on the face. There are up to 900 oil glands per square centimeter of facial skin.
Unfortunately, that makes large pores on the face highly visible. This may cause you to wonder, “Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?”
Keep reading as we’ll tell you why and what you can do to fix them.
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Why Did My Pores Get Bigger All of a Sudden?
Pore size is usually permanent due to genes, but it can enlarge gradually as a person ages. So if it’s a sudden occurrence, it may be due to infections or hormonal changes. The same can happen if you have clogged pores or sun-damaged skin.
Infections can cause the skin to swell. Swelling can stretch the skin and make pores appear more prominent.
Hormonal changes can also contribute to enlarged pores. For example, during menstruation, the female body produces more androgens (e.g., testosterone). These hormones stimulate sebum production, so their increased levels create more oils.
That can cause pores to grow to accommodate the increased sebum they need to excrete. Clogged pores also look more prominent because of all the oil, dirt, and dead skin they contain.
Sun damage can cause the skin to sag and contribute to larger-looking pores. It can also reduce collagen and elastin supplies that help keep the skin from sagging. You can get sun damage, such as burnt or dry skin, from sunbathing or not using sunscreen.
How Do I Treat Enlarged Pores?
You can’t minimize pores (as in their numbers), but you can reduce the appearance of enlarged ones.
The first step is to determine if you have a skin infection. Aside from swelling, other symptoms are redness, pain, the presence of pus or fluids, and sores. If you experience these signs, see a dermatologist ASAP for diagnosis and treatment.
Gentle skincare products can help by clearing oil, dirt, and debris build-up on the skin and pores. Avoid oil-based or oil-containing products that may cause further clogging.
If using makeup, choose products that don’t tend to cake up, as these can clog your pores. Tinted sprays are good options, especially if they contain moisturizing, elasticity-promoting ingredients. You can learn more about why you should use and order tinted spray moisturizer here.
Another trick is to use over-the-counter chemical peels once every two to three weeks. These solutions use alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHA or BHA) that remove surface dead skin cells. They can also clear pores and help improve collagen production.
Don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading out. Apply another layer after two hours, especially when swimming or after sweating.
Time to Address Enlarged Spores
Infections, hormones, dirt, and sun damage can all lead to you crying out, “Why did my pores get bigger all of a sudden?” The good news is that a sudden size change may only be temporary, such as in the case of an infection.
You still need to address such problems ASAP, though, as failure to do so can make their large size permanent. So, as early as now, try our skin care tips to help you deal with enlarged pores.
For more health-related hacks, check out our guide on how water intake can affect your health!
