Enlarged Pores - Do Spa or Derm Treatments Help?

This is my second article on pores, I am always looking for ways to hide or get rid of them! I have HUGE Pores and no, I am not exaggerating. My last article showed how to keep them looking their best and cover them up but this article is going to go through my experience with Spa and Dermatologist treatments.

I have been to three different medical spas, I don't mess with non-medical spas because I want to make sure the person putting chemicals and doing pore extractions on my face is legit and licensed! This is very important because you do not want to pay a huge amount of money and look worse then before you went.

I started out at one medical spa for a consultation. I had concerns about some breakouts and mainly about my huge pores. I wanted to do the smoothbeam but they recommended a series of Micro-dermabrasions which were a lot cheaper so in that regard I trusted them for recommending something cheaper then what I was willing to pay for. Keep in mind I was desperate and really didn't have the money but at that point would have spent anything! The microdermabrasion treatment at that particular spa was very relaxing and not painful, they basically drag a wand over your face a few times sucking off dead skin cells. There are different levels so if it hurts you can ask them to turn it down. The lady doing my micro also did some extractions after wards because when you do a microderm gunk from your pores comes out and needs to be removed. After doing a series of microderms (about 6 of them) and a few facials I was not breaking out but I really couldn't see too much progress in my pores so I had to stop before I went completely broke!

The second spa I went to was an advanced medical spa (biggest mistake ever and most costly). They did Laser microdermabrasions which cost about $500 but you only need one instead of a series so in the long run it would actually be cheaper. So I went in for a consultation and they told me that that alone would not really help with my pores but if I did some lite laser skin resurfacing with it I would get better results, well $2000 later I had suffered through two Laser microderms which were very painful and hideous and some laser treatments which were not too bad, I was basically in the same boat! I wasn't breaking out but my pores were the same! The only good thing I got out of that place was an introduction to Dermacia makeup which I love!!!! Covers pores the best and use it all the time.

I basically gave up after those experiences and just used my regular daily skin care routine. Then after doing some research on line I decided I needed a retinol to rebuild my skin. The only way to get a retinol (Retin A, Tazorac etc ) is to go to a dermatologist. This was the best decision! My derm gave me a prescription for retinol which was covered by my medical because of my breakouts and he started me on smoothbeam treatments. After the smoothbeam treatments I had a chemical peel once a month for 5 months. The chemical Peel is annoying because you peel for a few days but you can go to work. I can't say my pores are gone but I do believe they are much better now with the treatments and the retinol to rebuild the skin after the peels.

I would recommend to anyone a dermatologist over a spa any day! dermatologists have the spa treatments and they are done by professionals and may be covered by insurance. If you cannot afford to do any treatments or they are not covered I would recommend getting a retinol cream, gel or lotion. Its the best product for the skin. You can also do at home MicroDermabrasions and peels along with using your retinol (just don't use a retinol a few days after you do one). Bottom Line is I do not recommend a spa for pores, you can try it for yourself but if you are strapped for cash I would not. Different things do work for different people so this is just my experience.