Pore treatment, which one should I get? Cause-by-cause approach

"Can pores be completely eliminated?" This is the most frequently asked question in the consultation room. To be honest, pores are openings for hair connected to sebaceous glands, a normal structure of the skin, so it is impossible to completely eliminate or close them. The goal of treatment is not to make them disappear, but to make them 'less prominent.' You can think of it as refining these holes, which have an average diameter of about 0.02 to 0.05 mm, so they catch the eye less.

And one more thing. The direction of pore treatment is determined only after knowing the cause first. Is it widened due to excessive sebum, sagging due to loss of elasticity, or is it a scar? If the causes are different, the methods that should be used are completely different. In this article, we will slowly unfold the process from identifying the cause to selecting actual treatments from the perspective of Onlif Clinic.

🔍 3 Main Causes of Prominent Pores

Even with the same "large pores," the roots can be different. They are largely divided into three types.

The excessive sebum type is common in oily skin where sebaceous glands are highly active. Round pores on the nose and forehead are typical. The loss of elasticity type occurs when collagen and elastin in the dermis decrease due to aging, causing the pore openings to sag downward, visible as teardrop shapes on the cheeks.

The problem is the third one. The acne scar type looks like pores, but they are actually scars. Since improvement is limited with ordinary pore treatments for icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars, a distinction must be made.

📌 Core Summary: Pores are divided into sebum, elasticity, and scar types, and knowing your type is the starting point for selecting a treatment.

⚙️ What Kinds of Pore Treatments Exist?

Here is a summary of the representative treatments. Rather than one being the correct answer, it is a concept of choosing or combining them according to the cause.

• Fractional Laser: This category is most widely used for improving pores and scars. It is further divided into ablative types like CO₂ and Er:YAG, and non-ablative types.

• Pico Laser: It reduces thermal damage with short pulses and stimulates collagen using the LIOB mechanism. It is highly preferred due to its short downtime.

• Microneedle RF (Radiofrequency Microneedling): Since it directly stimulates the dermis, it is well-suited for elasticity loss and scar types. Epidermal damage is minimal, so the risk of hyperpigmentation is relatively low.

• Chemical Peeling: Acids such as AHA, BHA, and TCA regulate dead skin cells and sebum. It serves as the primary approach for excessive sebum and blackhead types.

• Skinbooster: Injecting hyaluronic acid, PDRN, etc., improves dermal moisture and skin texture. It is often performed in combination with lasers.

• TCA CROSS: This is a scar-specialized method that involves dot-applying high-concentration TCA to icepick scars.

Please also refer to the downtime. Pico and Genesis take several hours to 1 day, microneedle RF takes 2 to 5 days, and ablative fractional takes 5 to 7 days or more.

📌 Core Summary: Since lasers, microneedles, peelings, and skinboosters each have different characteristics, choose by considering both the cause and downtime.

💡 How to Approach by Cause

Onlif Clinic approaches with non-surgical procedures rather than incision surgery under the knife. The direction is about taking away elements that hide the natural texture rather than changing the shape.

In Case of Loss of Elasticity/Sagging Pores

For teardrop-shaped pores on the cheeks, dermal elasticity is the key. Potenza belongs to the microneedle RF category and delivers radiofrequency energy to the dermis via microneedles to induce collagen remodeling. Epidermal damage is low, and its advantage is that the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is relatively low. Surfect, on the other hand, reduces pain and downtime with a more powerful 4MHz radiofrequency and selectively stimulates only the epidermis, inducing reliable skin regeneration without irritation. It is especially considered for elasticity and scar-type pores.

If You Want to Reduce Sebum Secretion Itself

Xeomin Skin Botox is an approach that micro-injects into the shallow layers of the skin to alleviate sebum secretion and prominence of pores. It is closer to the concept of refining texture and oil rather than majorly paralyzing muscles.

Onlif has a Specialist Doctor System in place. Under the premise that one person cannot do everything perfectly, doctors are divided to take charge of the procedures they are best at by area. This method shines brightest for concerns like pores, where distinguishing the cause is crucial.

📌 Core Summary: Onlif approaches according to causes with non-surgical treatments like Potenza, Surfect, and Xeomin Skin Botox, aiming to refine the texture without changing the shape.

📈 When and How Much Do Effects Appear?

It is important to keep expectations realistic. Most pore treatments are not completed in a single session, requiring more than 3 to 5 repeated sessions, and are usually performed at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks.

The reason why the effect is not immediately visible is because of collagen. Collagen remodeling occurs gradually over several weeks to several months after the procedure, and a final evaluation after 3 to 6 months is appropriate. You do not have to be disappointed looking in the mirror the day after the procedure.

For reference, one study reported that pore size decreased by an average of 41% after 5 sessions of pico fractional laser at 2-week intervals. In addition, a survey of 256 adult women showed that 88% perceived their pores as large, and 'pore treatment' ranked 1st at 58.7% in a skincare demand survey.

Furthermore, the effects are not permanent. As long as aging and sebum secretion continue, periodic maintenance is necessary.

📌 Core Summary: 3 to 5 repetitions are standard, final effects are evaluated after 3 to 6 months, and periodic maintenance is required to maintain the effects.

☀️ Post-Treatment Management: Keep These Rules

They say that post-treatment care is more important than the procedure itself. Especially the prevention of hyperpigmentation.

• Sun protection is top priority: Apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, PA+++ or higher, every 2-3 hours during outdoor activities. This is the key to preventing PIH after heat-stimulating treatments.

• Let scabs and dead skin fall off naturally: Forcing them off increases the risk of hyperpigmentation and scarring.

• Temporarily stop heat-generating activities: Avoid saunas, drinking alcohol, and strenuous exercise during the recovery period.

• Utilize home care ingredients: Niacinamide is proven to help regulate sebum and refine skin tone, salicylic acid (BHA) helps with sebum-type pores, and retinoids (retinol, tretinoin) help with dead skin and skin texture. However, retinoids must be discontinued before and after the procedure.

One more thing. If you are taking isotretinoin (Roaccutane), there are restrictions on laser and peeling procedures, so please let us know in advance without fail. Although it is a fundamental treatment for excessive sebum types, combined use with procedures must be carefully evaluated.

📌 Core Summary: Sun protection is key to preventing hyperpigmentation, scabs should fall off naturally, and taking isotretinoin must be disclosed in advance.

🧴 Can't Cosmeceuticals or Ice Solve It?

To answer shortly, fundamental improvement is difficult.

Pore-tightening cosmetics (toners, serums, etc.) can only make pores temporarily look less visible by regulating sebum and dead skin cells, but cannot change the pore structure itself. The same goes for cold water washing or ice massage. It feels like they tighten instantly, but it is a temporary illusion with no structural change.

It is correct to think of home care as playing a role in supporting and maintaining the effects of procedures. It is closer to a companion rather than a substitute.

📌 Core Summary: Cosmetics and ice only provide temporary improvement and illusions; structural improvement is the domain of clinic treatments.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can pore treatments completely eliminate pores?

No. Pores are normal skin structures connected to sebaceous glands, so they cannot be completely eliminated or closed. The goal of the procedure is to improve them to appear less prominent.

How many sessions of pore treatment are needed to see effects?

Most require 3 to 5 or more repeated treatments, usually spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart. Since collagen regeneration occurs gradually, it is appropriate to evaluate the final effect after 3 to 6 months.

Which is more effective, laser or radiofrequency microneedling?

It depends on the cause. For improving sebum and skin texture, lasers or peelings work well, while for loss of elasticity and scar-types, microneedle RF like Potenza is a good fit. Microneedling has a relatively lower risk of hyperpigmentation.

How can I distinguish between pores and acne scars?

Icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars are deep and irregular, and are common on the cheeks and temples. Because improvement is limited with normal pore treatments and requires separate treatments like TCA CROSS or subcision, specialist evaluation is crucial.

Can skin prone to hyperpigmentation also get laser treatments?

It is possible, but caution is required. The darker the skin tone, the greater the risk of PIH after thermal stimulation, so microneedle RF with less epidermal damage or low-energy approaches should be considered, along with rigorous sun protection.

Can I receive pore treatments while taking isotretinoin?

There are restrictions on laser and peeling procedures while taking it. You must inform us of your medication intake in advance and coordinate the timing with a specialist.

Can I exercise or go to the sauna the day after a procedure?

It is not recommended. Avoiding saunas, drinking alcohol, and strenuous exercise that increase heat during the recovery period is necessary to reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation and irritation.

Can men also receive pore treatments?

Yes. Since men tend to have more sebum secretion, excessive sebum-type pores are common, so approaches focusing on peeling, texture management, and sebum regulation are helpful. Treatments are selected based on the causal type.