Clogged pores, congestion, and comedones, oh my! While these terms are often used interchangeably, these symptoms involve much more than an occasional breakout. These skin conditions need professional solutions to resolve textural inconsistencies, remove impurities, and restore a healthy, vibrant appearance. 

ROOT CAUSE 

Clogged pores are normally a result of the buildup of skin cells, oil, and dirt. This condition is most common in people with oily skin and can often lead to acne. While the face is the most common place for this condition to present, it can also appear on the scalp, chest, shoulder, and back. The cause of clogged pores can include dry skin or skin that produces extra skin cells, certain face products like lotions or cosmetics, medications that change how much oil glands produce, and oily skin due to age, hormones, or genetics.1 

Sebum Production  

The rate of sebum production among different individuals is highly variable, and the explanation as to the cause remains to be fully elucidated. Men in general have higher sebum output attributed to higher testosterone levels, although sebum production does increase during ovulation in women, likely secondary to increased progesterone. Sebum also varies according to one’s environment and the time of year. Several studies have described an increase in sebum production during the spring and summer and in more humid climates. In general, in terms of race, Chinese women display notably smaller pore size and lower density while Black individuals have enlarged pore size that can be attributed to higher rates of sebum output.2 

Congestion can also appear as uneven texture with bumps under the surface, whiteheads or blackheads, and an overall dullness as dead skin cells, sweat, impurities, and excess sebum can result in a slower turnover rate. Certain skin types are prone to overactive sebaceous glands, and fluctuating hormones due to age or an imbalance can exacerbate the issue. Clogged pores and enlarged pores are not the same thing; however, they are often related. 

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for, from antiaging facial and, treating acne to minimizing the appearance of scarring and addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes.