A dilated pore is a condition in which a small skin tumor forms within a hair follicle. Dermatologists often call the resulting bump an open comedo, although it does not have the exact same cause as acne blemishes from excess sebum. This skin problem may also be called a dilated pore of Winer, and it typically appears in adults over the age of 40. Slightly higher numbers of men rather than women usually get one of these skin lesions. Most are harmless, although a small, rare number can turn cancerous. People with these large and noticeable blemishes often seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.
Most of these tumors appear on the face, upper lip, forehead, or neck. A few rare outbreaks can also happen on the chest or back, and one can normally occur as a solitary lesion due to the structure of the follicle tumor. This kind of tumor can form due to several factors associated with the skin's natural aging process. The breakdown of collagen in the skin can allow the walls of a hair follicle to weaken and collapse, trapping dead skin cells and surface dirt so that they are difficult to completely remove. A hard mass eventually results.
Each pore can vary in size and severity, and some people can successfully treat minor cases with exfoliating skin scrubs that their dermatologists recommend. A consistent regimen of skin care for older adults can usually help reduce the appearance of minor dilated pores. Unlike most acne blemishes, most of these pores are not initially red or painful unless sufferers pick at or squeeze them on a regular basis. Skin care experts advise against this habit because it can sometimes cause pores to become infected.
A dilated pore can occasionally form close to an oil gland just under the skin's surface. This type of blemish can grow to a larger size due to regular secretions of sebum that become trapped within the follicle even after exfoliation. A dermatologist can sometimes lance and excise one with a simple surgical procedure, although many patients find that the lesion forms again once the skin heals. Some individuals with severe and persistent pore problems have this procedure done more than once before the issue is permanently corrected.