Pores can open and close

Other View vs Mainstream View

There is a non-mainstream point of view that "Pores can open and close". Let's take a look into pros and cons of this statement:

1. Pros: Pores absolutely can open and close based on factors like temperature and cleanliness. Cold water and astringent products snap pores shut, while heat and oil fling them wide open. This is a fact.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): In reality, pores are not muscles and cannot actively open or close. Pore morphology and apparent size are influenced by factors like ethnicity, age, UV exposure, genetics and sebum secretion, but the pore itself does not physically change size.

2. Pros: Countless skincare products and treatments are designed specifically to open and close pores. If pores couldn't actually do this, these products wouldn't exist. Their popularity proves pores can change size.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): Many of these products or treatments don't actually affect pore size and are more about marketing hype than science. Pore size is largely determined by genetics and age. Products may help pores appear smaller by removing debris and reducing inflammation, but they aren't physically shrinking the pore.

3. Pros: Estheticians and skincare professionals regularly perform treatments like steaming and extracting to manipulate pores. These experts know that pores can be opened and closed with the right techniques.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): While these treatments may soften the skin and remove debris, they aren't truly causing pores to open and close. Steaming and extracting can make pores more noticeable by increasing blood flow and plumping up the skin, but the pore diameter remains unchanged. Clearing out pores doesn't alter their actual size.

4. Pros: You can see pores opening and closing with your own eyes. Splash cold water on your face and you'll witness pores shrinking. Spend time in a sauna and you'll see pores opening up from the heat. No studies needed to observe this.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): What you're seeing is a temporary change in the skin around the pores, not the pore itself changing size. Pores can look more noticeable due to factors like excess oil production, decreased skin elasticity, and increased hair follicle volume. But this doesn't mean they are physically opening wider. The illusion of pores opening and closing is created by changes in the surrounding skin.

5. Pros: The idea that pores can't change size defies common sense. How could pores release more sweat and oil sometimes and not others if they always stay the same size? They obviously expand and contract as needed.
   – Cons (Mainstream View): Pores are constantly releasing some amount of oil and sweat, it just varies based on stimuli like temperature and hormones. The pore doesn't have to physically open more to let out a greater volume. Increased oil and sweat production is regulated by the attached glands, not by the pore opening and closing. The pore is simply a duct or channel for these fluids to flow through.

Terms

• Astringent: A skincare product that tightens skin and constricts body tissues. Often used to make pores look smaller.

• Debris: Dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and other impurities that can clog pores.

• Hormones: Chemical messengers in the body that can stimulate oil production in the skin's sebaceous glands, which can affect pore appearance.

• Pores: The tiny openings in skin that release sweat and oil. Each pore contains a sebaceous gland that produces sebum (oil).

Analogy

Imagine pores are like flexible tubes or straws. You can't make the straw physically smaller by squeezing it or bigger by stretching it. But you could make the opening of the straw appear smaller by keeping it very clean or appear larger if it gets clogged with debris. The straw itself hasn't fundamentally changed though.

History

1. Ancient times: People had various theories about how skin worked, but the true nature of pores was unknown.

2. 1600s: The invention of the microscope allowed scientists to see pores for the first time. However, many misconceptions still persisted.

3. 1900s: Modern dermatological research developed a more accurate understanding of the skin and pores. However, many skincare brands still promoted the idea that pores could open and close.

4. Today: While scientific knowledge has advanced, the myth of pores opening and closing remains common. It is still frequently referenced in beauty magazines, skincare marketing, and everyday discussions about skin. Dermatologists regularly work to dispel this misconception and help people understand how pores actually function.

5. How to use it

1. When washing your face, use lukewarm water instead of hot or cold. Hot water can irritate your skin and cold water won't "close" your pores. Gently cleanse to remove excess oil and debris.

2. Be skeptical of skincare products that claim to open or close pores. Look for products that talk about unclogging pores, reducing blemishes, or improving skin texture instead. Read ingredient lists and look up reviews.

3. If you're concerned about the appearance of your pores, focus on keeping your skin clean, exfoliated, and moisturized. Use non-comedogenic products that won't clog your pores. See a dermatologist for personalized advice if needed.

Facts

• There are two main types of pores. Oil pores regulate the flow of sebum and sweat pores allow sweat to reach your skin's surface.

• The average adult has five million pores on their body with approximately 20,000 on their face alone.

• Higher testosterone levels can increase pore size which is why men often have larger pores than women.

• With age, pores can look larger as skin loses elasticity. Proper skincare can minimize this effect but not reverse it entirely.

• Genetics account for about 81% of the variance in pore size between individuals.