Visible Characteristics and Structural Modifications Relating to Enlarged Facial Pores

The study aimed to characterize the visible features and micro-environment of facial pores by analyzing 160 women, half with normal-size pores and half with enlarged pores. The research found that enlarged facial pores were denser, more contrasted, and had a more regular organization of keratinocytes, an irregular dermo-epidermal junction, and higher collagen attenuation. Notably, bright tubular structures surrounding hair follicles and enlarged hair shafts were observed in enlarged pores. These findings suggested that alterations in the stroma could lead to changes in skin tension, causing dilation of the infundibulum and enlarged hair shafts, as well as affecting the organization of keratinocytes and the dermo-epidermal junction.