What does each one look like?
| Feature | Large pores | Acne scars |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Skin surface depressions containing openings for oil or sweat. | Changes left by acne inflammation and the skin's repair process. |
| Shape | Visible openings, sometimes containing blackheads. | Ice pick scars are narrow and deep. Boxcar scars have distinct edges. Rolling scars have sloping edges and create a wavy surface. |
| Why they become noticeable | Oil production, clogged pores, sun damage and loss of skin elasticity. | Loss of tissue creates depressed scars; excess collagen creates raised scars. |
| Useful treatment direction | Reduce clogging and oiliness, and protect skin from sun damage. | Match treatment to the scar's depth, shape and location. |
A narrow ice pick scar can be difficult to distinguish from an enlarged pore at home. A dermatologist uses the appearance and your history of acne to identify scars. Previous acne is a clue, not a diagnosis: acne can also enlarge pores without every opening being a scar.13
Are flat acne marks the same as scars?
Flat red, darker or lighter marks after acne are colour changes, rather than the indentations of depressed scars. Colour changes can occur alongside true scars and often improve over months or longer. Dark marks and keloids, which are raised scars that extend beyond the original lesion, are more common in darker skin.3
What should you do for large pores?
Skincare can make pores less noticeable, but treatments aimed at shrinking them have limited effectiveness. Making pores less noticeable is a realistic goal, while deleting skin openings is a marketing ambition.14
- 1Wash gently morning and evening with warm water and a cleanser labelled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Avoid hot water and scrubbing.
- 2If acne or clogged pores are part of the problem, a salicylic acid cleanser can help unclog pores. If it dries or irritates skin, alternate it with a mild cleanser, using the mild cleanser in the morning.
- 3Apply broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day. Sun damage reduces firmness, making pores more noticeable.
- 4For oily skin, mild acne or reduced firmness, consider retinol or retinyl palmitate before bed. Waiting 30 minutes after washing can reduce irritation. Do not use either during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Picking and squeezing can irritate skin and make pores more noticeable. Exfoliation can help their appearance, but it needs to be gentle enough to avoid damage; ask a dermatologist if you are unsure whether it suits your skin.4
What should you do for acne scars?
Treat active acne before starting scar procedures to reduce further scarring. For existing scars, resurfacing treatments such as peels, lasers and microneedling can improve texture. Fillers lift depressed areas; subcision releases scar bands beneath the skin. Deep scars sometimes need surgical removal. Acne scars can need several kinds of treatment, which is inconvenient for the idea that one bottle should handle the entire job.235
Depressed acne scars do not simply fade away and can become more noticeable as skin loses firmness with age. Treatment can make them less noticeable, but multiple sessions are sometimes needed. Choose treatment with a dermatologist based on scar type, skin type, acceptable downtime and budget.356
Book an assessment if you cannot tell pores from scars, acne is continuing to leave scars, or you want a procedure. Scar treatments can cause pigment changes, infection or further scarring. Tell the dermatologist about current or recent isotretinoin use: the safest timing of invasive procedures needs an individual discussion rather than a blanket waiting rule.35
Where this answer comes from
- 1Enlarged poresdermnetnz.org
- 2Acne Scars: Causes, Diagnosis, Types & Treatmentmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 3Acne Scarringdermnetnz.org
- 4What can treat large facial pores?aad.org
- 5Treating Acne Scars: What's New? Consensus from the Expertspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Scars: Will my scar go away?aad.org
