Pore-shrinkers- myth or reality?

Myth or Reality? Now, there is a breakthrough treatment to remove blackheads, shrink large pores, and absorb excess oils rapidly. Who says a cover girl complexion are only for cover girls?

Singapore (PRWEB) October 2, 2004 -- Large pores are the bane of many a woman's existence. While we have had the science to send astronauts into space for decades, until now a successful treatment for pores has remained illusive. Traditional Laser Resurfacing is costly, painful and not everyones cup of tea, and those expensive department store creams do nothing but temporarily plump the skin, if at all.

What causes blackheads and enlarged pores? Excess oil production can cause a variety of issues. The most menacing of which are blackheads and enlarged pores. Blackheads are caused by a build up of hardened oil that clogs the pores, expanding their size. This is often accompanied by inflammation, which makes the pores appear even larger. How to make blackheads and pores do a disappearing act? Proper cleansing as most of us have already found out can only do so much. But now savvy ladies are embracing the new Aramis laser for its pores-shrinking effects.

Never heard of it? The Aramis laser is a unique type of laser energy applied in a series of gentle pulses over the skin. Without damaging the surface, the energy of the laser is absorbed by the deeper skin tissue. This triggers your body to rebuild and replenish your own natural collagen. Your skin will begin looking younger, tighter and less porous as your collagen is remodeled. Patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their results so far. Over time you will notice skin texture changes. You will notice that fine and deep lines become less visible and pores gradually begin to disappear. The Aramis Laser also produces a temporary alteration in the size and function of the overactive sebaceous gland (our oil glands). This thermal effect kills bacteria and reduces sebum (oil) production. Shortly after the first treatment, you will start to see a reduction in the number of acne lesions on your skin as well. However, for best results, a series of treatments are recommended. The average number of treatments is 3 to 4 over a period of 2 to 3 months. Best of all, there is no downtime after treatment. You can resume your regular activities immediately.

One of the many ladies who have sought medical treatment for their pore and blackhead problems is Ann, 27, an American-born Chinese.

I started with acne breakouts in my teenage years which left me with enlarged pores. After starting on the Aramis laser treatment my pores have begun to look smaller and less oily. My doctor also did a series of LED photomodulation for me which involves lying under a red light, and that has definitely made the effect even more dramatic. Now I am absolutely hooked on these treatments for making my skin look its best."

Dr Low Chai Ling, Anns physician at The Sloane Clinic in Singapore sees many other patients with similar concerns. At The Sloane Clinic, at least 10 patients a week seek such improvements for their skin without wanting to experience the downtime, pain and expense of laser resurfacing.

We have a pore-minimizer program at the clinic and I usually incorporate the Aramis laser to plump and firm up the collagen, as well as to reduce the size of the oil glands and the LED photomodulation red light to improve cell metabolism and skin healing. Overall, the results have been promising and my patients have been enthusiastic with their results."

However, she does advise that a good cleansing regime at home is still important to keep the skin healthy and clean, and that sun avoidance is essential to prevent premature sun-related aging which may appear as lined, pigmented and coarse skin. For patients who have clogged skin, she recommends a series of deep sonic cleansing at her clinic to remove all the comedones and unclog the skin before starting on the pore-minimizer program. She does warn against forceful extractions which may hurt the epidermis and leave scars on the skin. So the moral of the story seems to be gentle by effective cleansing before starting treatments to shrink your pores. The Pore-minimizer program at The Sloane Clinic involves a series of the Aramis laser treatment and LED Photomodulation therapies.

The downside? For those who think this is a one-off treatment, prepare to be disappointed because though the results are stunning, a series of treatments are needed to stimulate the cell and skin changes. The second minus point is the cost. The Aramis laser starts from US$350, and the LED photomodulation from US$60. Apparently, the treatments are much cheaper when done in the pore-minimizer program but the clinic have declined to reveal the price. So whats in stall for the rest of us checking our wallets in disappointment? Dr. Low does recommend a new Matt & Clear Gel from Skin Inc. Cosmeceuticals designed to absorb excess oil, mattify the skin and give you an illusion of less porous skin. I think for now, that is where I shall begin.

Dr. Low Chai Ling can be contacted at The Sloane Clinic in Singapore on 65-6533 2522 or visit www.sloaneclinic.com

Skin Inc Cosmeceuticals are retailed from The Sloane Clinic. For a further list of medical establishments carrying these products, please contact www.skin-inc.com

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