Dr. Murad Explains: What the Heck is “Porexia”?

Article by Dr. Howard Murad

Farewell fine lines; step aside wrinkles and sun spots. There’s something else catching our eye as we sit for hours in front of the mirror, examining every inch of our skin. People have been obsessed with lines, sagging skin and hyperpigmentation for decades, but now more and more people are worrying about those tiny (or not so tiny) openings on the face – PORES. Perhaps it’s a result of the HD world we live in or the plethora of solutions for the old problems; whatever the reason may be, in recent years having perfect pores has become an increasingly popular beauty obsession, and many dermatologists (Dr. Murad included) even have a name for it: porexia.

It’s a common concern affecting all age groups from teens with acne who also suffer from blackheads to older women and men whose pores seem to get bigger each year. Unfortunately, unlike Botox for wrinkles or laser for age spots and acne scars, there is no quick fix for pores.

“The truth is, pore size is largely determined by genes and, aside from very invasive treatments which do not always work, the actual size of a person’s pores cannot be changed,” said Howard Murad, M.D, FAAD, founder of Murad, Inc and the Inclusive Health^® movement. “With that said, we can minimize the appearance of pores. To understand fully how to do this, it is important to understand why we have pores and why they often appear to get bigger as we age.”

While sometimes an unattractive annoyance, pores do serve a purpose. Pores house a hair follicle and sebaceous gland and serve as a gateway for sebum, our skin’s natural oil. According to Dr. Murad, pores get bigger for a number of reasons. First, acne and blackheads are a result of the follicle becoming blocked which causes oils, dirt and bacteria to accumulate inside the pore and expand the diameter. Additionally, overactive oil glands can make them appear larger. Another major cause are UVA and UVB rays from the sun, which damage skin and can lead to larger, damaged pores over time. Finally, aging is a major factor. As you age, your skin loses elasticity because of decreased collagen and elastin production.  The more collagen we lose, the weaker the pores’ natural support structure becomes, which allows more dirt and debris to collect. As gravity pulls on the skin, it thins and pores begin to dilate making them more visible.

“The most effective way to prevent enlarged pores and reduce the appearance of visible pores is to take an Inclusive Health approach to beautiful skin. Inclusive Health addresses topical, nutritional and emotional needs for optimal skin health,” said Dr. Murad.

Dr. Murad recommends the following Inclusive Health tips to reduce blackheads, minimize the appearance of pores and love your skin:

• Wash, Treat and Moisturize Day and Night – Look for cleansers that will thoroughly clean the skin, to help prevent dirt and debris from clogging pores. Also, cleansers and toners that contain witch hazel are great for tightening pores. Additionally, look for treatments and moisturizers that contain exfoliators like glycolic and salicylic acid to clear pores and remove imperfections, retinol to stimulate cell turnover and help boost collagen production as well as antioxidants to defend against skin damaging free radicals. Finally, use products that not only clear out pores but also prevent sebum oxidation, which is the cause of the visible dark spot associated with blackheads.
• Product Recommendation: Pore Reform, a breakthrough regimen that includes Blackhead & Pore Clearing Duo; the first and only product system on the market that effectively unclogs and seals pores, shielding the skin from blackhead causing dirt and debris. Featuring Oxidation Reversal Complex, an innovative, proprietary technology that helps reverse and prevent sebum oxidation, Blackhead & Pore Clearing Duo is clinically proven to reduce the formation of blackheads by an average of 58%.
• Don’t forget SPF! UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays) rays weaken the skin’s support system of collagen and elastin – thereby accelerating the skin’s aging process. Protect your skin and keep your complexion looking its best by using sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection every day to avoid damaging skin!
• You Are What You Put Into Your Body – Food fuels your body and mind and when eating poor foods, it appears on your skin. Try eating foods that are rich in collagen boosting ingredients such as embryonic foods that contain amino acids (I like eggs beans and seeds), antioxidants, which fight off free radicals and inhibit damage to collagen (I like pomegranates) and good fats (I like walnuts and avocado). These foods will help your pores keep their shape by encouraging collagen production. Also, do your best to avoid exposure to sun, pollution, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, pesticides, toxins, poor nutrition and stress all contribute to skin damage.
• “Perfectionism leads to Pessimism!” Everybody has pores because we need them! Try not to focus on the things you don’t like about yourself and focus on the things you love about yourself. As Dr. Murad says, “When you learn to be imperfect, your life will be more perfect.”

For more information go to Murad.com, Facebook.com/murad or @MuradCares on Twitter.

Dr. Howard Murad