- So, basically, they're a woven material
with adhesive and polymer.
And when you wet it, it attaches to the skin
and you leave it on for five to 10 minutes usually.
And when you pull it off, you'll see sort of these like
stalagmite, stalactite type things on the strip
and that's actually oil from your skin
that gets oxidized and turns black in color
as well as bacteria, dead skin, hair, dirt,
basically anything that's on the surface
just gets pulled off.
A deep cleansing doesn't happen with these strips.
Although your skin may feel cleaner, smoother,
they really don't do anything
to prevent you from developing blackheads.
I totally get that they're satisfying,
but I don't think over long periods of time,
they do much for you.
Other things should be used.
Retinoids and retinols and chemical peels
can all be used in conjunction with pore strips.
Some people are worried that they can break capillaries.
Very rarely can it cause significant damage
although I do see patients all the time
with lots of irritation,
particularly if they're using it frequently.
Using pore strips responsibly is really important.
You don't want to use them more than once a week.
You want to make sure your skin is clean
before you use them.
You want to follow the directions.
Don't leave them on for longer than they say.
Always remove the adhesive to prevent irritation.
And cleanse your face after.
People who have allergies to different cosmetic products
should just be a little bit careful.
Sometimes I'll tell people to put them on their arms first
just to make sure that they aren't sensitive
and then put them on the face.
Although I really don't tell patients
to use them necessarily,
if people like them, I'm not telling people not to use them.
I mean, I totally get it, they're fun.
I use them too sometimes.