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

"Can we completely eliminate pores?" This is the most common question I hear in the consulting room. To be honest, because pores are the openings for hair connected to sebaceous glands and are normal skin structures, completely eliminating or closing them is impossible. The goal of treatment is not to eliminate them but to make them "look less prominent." You can understand this as refining these openings, which have an average diameter of 0.02 to 0.05 mm, so they catch the eye less.

And one more thing. For pore treatment, the direction is decided only after knowing the cause first. Is it widened because of excessive sebum, sagged due to lost elasticity, or is it a scar? If the cause is different, the method to be used is also completely different. In this article, I will explain step-by-step from the causes to the actual choice of treatment, from the perspective of Onlif Clinic.

🔍 3 Main Causes of Prominent Pores

Even with the same 'wide pores', the root causes are different. They are largely divided into three types.

The Excess 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 with age, causing the pore openings to sag downward, appearing in droplet shapes on the cheeks.

The problem is the third one. The Acne Scar Type looks like a pore, but is actually a scar. Since icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars have limited improvement with general pore treatments alone, they must be differentiated.

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

⚙️ What Types of Pore Treatments Are There?

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

• Fractional Laser: The most widely used family for pore and scar improvement. It is subdivided into ablative types like CO₂ and Erbium:YAG, and non-ablative types.

• Pico Laser: Reduces thermal damage with short pulses and stimulates collagen through LIOB mechanism. It is highly preferred due to short downtime.

• Microneedle RF (Radiofrequency Microneedling): Directly stimulates the dermis, making it suitable for loss of elasticity and scar types, and has a relatively low risk of hyperpigmentation due to minimal epidermal damage.

• Chemical Peeling (Peel): Controls dead skin cells and sebum with acids like AHA, BHA, and TCA. This is the primary approach for the excess sebum and blackhead types.

• Skin Booster: Injects hyaluronic acid, PDRN, etc., to improve dermal moisture and skin texture. It is often performed in combination with lasers.

• TCA CROSS: A scar-specialized method that spot-applies 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 skin boosters each have different characteristics, make a choice by considering both the cause and the downtime.

💡 How to Approach by Cause

Onlif Clinic approaches treatment through non-surgical procedures rather than incisional surgery. The direction is not to change the shape, but to clear away the factors that mask your natural skin texture.

If it is Loss of Elasticity / Sagging Pores

For droplet-shaped pores on the cheeks, dermal elasticity is key. Potenza belongs to the microneedle RF family, delivering radiofrequency energy to the dermis with fine needles to induce collagen remodeling. Its advantage is that the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is relatively low because epidermal damage is minimal. Surfect utilizes a more powerful 4MHz radiofrequency to reduce pain and downtime, and selectively stimulates only the epidermis to induce 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 where micro-injections are made into the shallow layers of the skin to alleviate sebum secretion and prominent pores. Rather than largely paralyzing muscles, it is closer to the concept of refining texture and oiliness.

Onlif has a Specialist Physician System. Based on the premise that one person cannot do everything well, we divide and assign treatments that each physician excels at the most. This method shows its strength particularly in concerns where identifying the cause is important, such as pores.

📌 Core Summary: Onlif approaches according to the causes through non-surgical procedures such as Potenza, Surfect, and Xeomin Skin Botox, aiming to refine the texture without changing the shape.

📈 When and How Much Do the Effects Appear?

It is important to set realistic expectations. Most pore treatments are not completed in a single session but require 3 to 5 repetitions or more, usually spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart.

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

For reference, one study reported that pore size was reduced by an average of 41% after 5 sessions of Pico Fractional Laser at 2-week intervals. In addition, in a survey of 256 adult women, 88% perceived their pores as large, and 'pore treatment' ranked first at 58.7% in a skin care demand survey.

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

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

☀️ Post-Treatment Care, Be Sure to Keep This

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

• Sun protection is the top priority: Reapply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, PA+++ or higher every 2 to 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 has evidence for controlling sebum and refining tone, Salicylic Acid (BHA) helps sebum-type pores, and retinoids (retinol, tretinoin) help dead skin cells and skin texture. However, retinoids need to be discontinued before and after treatments.

One more thing. If you are taking Isotretinoin (Roaccutane), there are limitations on lasers and peelings, so be sure to inform us in advance. Although it is a fundamental treatment for the excess sebum type, combining it with procedures must be carefully judged.

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

🧴 Can't It Be Done with Cosmetics or Ice?

To answer briefly, fundamental improvement is difficult.

Pore-tightening cosmetics (toners, serums, etc.) can only make them temporarily less visible by controlling sebum and dead skin cells, but cannot change the pore structure itself. Cold water washing or ice massage is the same. It feels like they have tightened 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 the treatment. It is closer to a companion rather than a substitute.

📌 Core Summary: Cosmetics and ice only provide temporary improvement and illusion, and structural improvement is the domain of professional procedures.

💬 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 treatment is to improve them so they look less prominent.

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

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

Which is more effective, lasers or RF microneedling?

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

How do I tell if it is a pore or an acne scar?

Icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars are deep and irregular, and are common on cheeks and temples. Since improvement with general pore treatments is limited and requires separate treatments such as TCA CROSS and subcision, professional differentiation is important.

Can skin prone to hyperpigmentation also receive laser treatments?

It is possible but requires caution. Since darker skin tones have a higher risk of PIH after thermal stimulation, microneedle RF with less epidermal damage or low-energy approaches should be considered, along with thorough sun protection.

Can I receive pore treatments while taking Isotretinoin?

There are limitations on laser and peeling treatments while taking it. You must inform us of the fact that you are taking it in advance and coordinate the timing with a specialist.

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

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

Can men also receive pore treatments?

Yes. Men tend to have high sebum secretion, making the excess sebum-type pores common, so peelings, texture management, and sebum control approaches are helpful. Treatments are chosen based on the causal type.

Pore Treatments, Things to Check Before Choosing a Clinic

Even for the same treatment, the results and recovery process vary depending on where, who, and how it is performed.

Asking these items directly during the consultation will help you make a judgment.

• Is it a place that frequently performs that procedure? — Every clinic has different focus treatments. Check if it is a place that regularly conducts pore treatments.

• Can I verify the products and equipment used? — Ask if you can verify the product name and authenticity (whether it is an imported approved product, if there is an unboxing verification process) during the consultation.

• Do they explain the breakdown of the cost? — Rather than just hearing the total amount, you should hear explanations of which product is used, how much, and on which area to make a judgment.

• Do they design by looking at the entire face? — Even with the same procedure, the injection location and amount vary depending on the face shape, skin condition, and left-right asymmetry.

• Do they explain adverse reactions and recovery processes first? — It is better to judge a place that informs you of potential adverse reactions and how to cope with them, rather than a consultation that only talks about expected changes.

• Is there a follow-up verification path after the procedure? — Check if the timing for checking progress, how to contact if there is an issue, and revisit criteria are set.

This is How Onlif Clinic Performs Pore Treatments

• We divide responsibilities — With the idea that a single doctor cannot cover all procedures, Onlif divides and treats patients with responsible doctors for each field.

• We check products and equipment together during the consultation — We guide you through the products used and the unboxing verification process during the consultation.

• Costs are guided along with the structure after diagnosis — Since the area, dosage, and range vary from person to person, we explain together what costs how much.

• We design by looking at the entire facial balance — We view the face through three axes: texture, balance, and signs of youth, and make plans in a direction to clean up areas that mask the natural impression rather than changing the shape.

• We inform you of adverse reactions and recovery processes first — Along with expected changes, we guide you through individual differences, potential adverse reactions, and coping methods before the procedure.

• We look at the progress after the procedure together — If verification is needed during the recovery period, we guide you through revisit and contact paths.

If you are considering pore treatment, it is best to check first what is possible and what is difficult in your current condition.

Accurate diagnosis and treatment plans can only be determined through in-person consultations. Please check through a consultation at Gangnam Onlif Clinic.