Teens are at risk for a multitude of skin problems, such as acne, dry skin, sunburn and rashes. One common issue teens face is enlarged pores, which can sometimes be related to acne. Many skin issues are inherited, so if you have always tended toward large pores, there is a good chance your teenager will as well. Luckily, there are ways to improve the appearance of skin.
What Are Enlarged Pores?
Pores are hair follicles, explains KidsHealth. In each hair follicle is a sebaceous -- or oil gland -- that produces sebum, which is an oil. When too much oil is produced and pores get clogged, they can stretch out. In some people, enlarged pores are just a roll of the genetic dice, which means even teens with a perfect skin care regimen can feel their pores are too big.
Causes
According to CosmeticsMD.org, enlarged pores are caused by sebaceous gland activity. Dirt and dead skin cells can build up around pores and block the oil duct that leads to the surface of the skin, and less oil comes out. As a result, the sebaceous gland thinks there's not enough moisture in the skin and makes more oil. But the duct is still blocked, so more oil continues to build up. Over time, pores may get stretched out.
Treatment
Buy scrubs for your teen that have fine beads. These beads get into pores to remove oil and dead skin cells before they have a chance to clog pores. Scrubs can also help pores that are already clogged. Your teen can also try chemical exfoliation with your permission, but this route can be more expensive and irritating to skin. Drugstores also carry disposable nose strips, which can be applied to the nose or other frequently clogged areas. When your teen peels them off, the strips remove the grime and oil from the skin.
Prevention
Advise your teen to avoid cigarette smoke whenever possible, as well as harsh chemical fumes. If he must come in contact with them, he should wash his face as soon as possible with a mild soap or facial cleanser, suggests CosmeticsMD.org. Teens should drink lots of water to keep their entire bodies, including the skin, flushed and healthy. If your teen wears makeup, explain that she should look for makeup that's oil free or noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog pores. Clear pores are less likely to look enlarged.