I'm plagued with redness (all over my face), and dry skin mixed with oily patches around my nose. My pores are massive (genetic, my mom has a similar problem) and I'm looking for a solution. I'm extremely fair skinned and am very sensitive to chemicals, dry air and even warm water. Essentially, My face looks like a tomato covered in tiny holes. I'm considering returning to the dermatologist, but I'm not sure what she can/will do. I have mild acne on my face and shoulders. Beyond retin-a, which I have been using for the past two years constantly, what else will she be able to do? Would I be a candidate for accutane? Would this cure the combo skin and large pores?

 

I've tried everything from antibiotics, sulfa, topicals like differin, aczone, fianacea (everything but accutane) and nothing but retin-a provided significant improvement, but even that has begun leveling off. Is there anything else I can bring up as a possibility? I barely have any scarring, I just have terrible texture.

 

Accutane and some types of laser are the only things that will actually shrink your sebaceous glands. Sorry, I don't remember what lasers specifically, you'll have to research that yourself.

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I believe CO2 laser resurfacing is known to substantially decrease the appearance of pores for a long period of time. Supposedly, your skin is supposed to progressively get better even after the resurfacing. I've been looking into laser treatments as you just described my skin lol. Large pores are a ginormous b*tch.