What are the most effective methods to minimize pores and redness? (Photo)

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.


Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question and I am sorry you have not seen satisfying results from your treatments thus far. I would say there are two options for you to consider at this point. The first is RF microneedling, which combines microneedling with radiofrequency heating to boost collagen and improve the skin at a cellular level. The second would be CO2 resurfacing, which will require a few days of downtime afterward but will also produce the most dramatic results. No matter which one you choose, make sure it is performed by a very experienced, board-certified dermatologist to ensure an optimal outcome.

I'm so sorry that you have been so disappointed by all the device treatments you have, I'm sure,  spent good money for.  I am hardly surprised, however, as I have been warning readers of my columns for years about the lack of hard science to back the heavy marketing claims for their supposed benefits. Professional microneedling, a relatively inexpensive technique with over two decades of proven use behind it, is a very reasonable approach by itself for dealing with textural issues and dilated pores, and especially if combined with the post treatment application of concentrations of TCA in the range of 10-25%. Make sure that you seek out a board certified aesthetic physician with experience and expertise in these techniques. Best of luck. . 

A combination approach will give the most improvement. I recommend lasers, microneedling/PRP, Cosmelan, peels and skin care. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

I would consider fractional RF microneedling and cross TCA treatment for this.  Perhaps fractional CO2 could also be helpful.  Enlarged pores can be challenging to control but it can be done.  Good luck!

Thanks for your question and photos.  It sounds like you have already put a lot of effort into skin improvement for your pores.  I would follow the recommendations of your dermatologist, and consider CO2 resurfacing, which requires about a week of downtime, but can be really effective, or something with less downtime but quite a bit of efficacy is the RF microneedling.  You would want to do RF microneedling in series ( 4-6 treatments), but if you decide on CO2 laser, that can give you some pretty long lasting and dramatic improvement in just one treatment, and maintenance only has to be done every few years if you feel you need it.  Hope this helps, and best of luck!

Thanks for the photos! Pores can be very difficult to treat but I find that the Halo laser does a consistently good job make these look less obvious. Unfortunately, large pores are genetic so we can only hope to control them, since they can't be cured. IPL often works well for redness but it may take 3-5 treatments to see a significant result. Rosacea, the cause for most redness, is chronic condition which can only be controlled and not cured at this time. I would suggest consultation with a cosmetic dermatologist who is experienced in these treatments who can assess your problem and discuss treatment options to help you determine what will give you the best results. Best wishes, Mary Beth Mudd