“If you are excited to understand more about minimise enlarged pores, please consult our experienced doctors at Kaiteki Clinic. We will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs! “
Table of Contents
What Are Enlarged Pores and Why Do They Appear?
Pores are the openings of hair follicles + oil glands on the skin. You can’t “open” or “close” them permanently, but they can appear bigger or smaller depending on skin condition. Having pores is completely normal ! We are not amphibians and therefore need to rely on pores to release sweat, toxins and sebum.
Daily Habits That Worsen Enlarged Pores
Common factors that can enlarge pores.
1)Excess oil (sebum overproduction)
More oil stretches the pore opening → pores look bigger, especially on T-zone.
2)Clogged pores (blackheads / whiteheads)
Dead skin + oil build up inside the pore → pushes the pore wider.
3)Loss of skin elasticity (ageing)
As collagen decreases, skin becomes looser → pores lose support and look larger.
4)Sun damage
UV breaks down collagen → pores become more visible over time.
5)Acne history
Repeated inflammation stretches pore walls → permanent enlargement in some areas.
6)Genetics
Some people naturally have larger pores (especially oily skin types).
7)Poor cleansing / heavy makeup
Residue blocks pores → makes them look darker and more obvious.
Why Some Pores Remain Enlarged Despite Good Skincare
Firstly, we need to understand a little more about pores. Did you know that there are different type of pores?
Oily / Sebum Pores
What they look like:
- Large, round, obvious holes
- Shiny skin
- Mostly on nose, forehead, inner cheeks
- Black dots (sebaceous filaments / blackheads)
Why it happens:
- Overactive oil glands
- Genetics
- Hormonal changes
- Hot, humid weather (very common in Malaysia)
Clogged / Congested Pores
What they look like:
- Dark dots (blackheads)
- Bumps (whiteheads)
- Rough texture
- Makeup looks patchy
Why it happens:
- Dead skin not shedding properly
- Heavy makeup / sunscreen not removed well
- Skincare that’s too rich or comedogenic
- Infrequent exfoliation
Ageing / Sagging Pores
What they look like:
- Teardrop / oval-shaped pores
- More obvious on cheeks
- Skin looks loose, less firm
- Pores look worse when smiling
Why it happens:
- Collagen loss with age
- Skin becomes less elastic
- Sun damage weakens skin support
Treatment plans: Lasers
Pico laser (such as PicoSure) helps to improve the appearance of pores by stimulating collagen production and refining overall skin texture. The ultra-short pulses create micro-shock waves in the skin that encourage skin renewal without damaging the surface layer. This makes pores look tighter and smoother over time. Pico laser is most suitable for early or mild enlarged pores, uneven skin texture, and patients who prefer minimal downtime with gradual skin quality improvement.
CO2 laser (fractional ablative laser) works on pores by resurfacing the skin and triggering strong collagen remodeling in the deeper layers. By creating controlled micro-injuries, it tightens the surrounding skin structure that supports the pore walls, making enlarged pores appear smaller. This treatment is particularly effective for aging or sagging pores, pores affected by acne damage, and uneven skin texture. Results are usually more dramatic, but there is downtime due to skin healing and redness after the procedure.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
Radiofrequency microneedling device like Potenza, Sylfirm or Morpheus improves pores by combining microneedling with RF energy to tighten the skin from within. The heat energy stimulates collagen production and helps reduce excess oil activity, which is one of the main reasons pores appear enlarged. As the skin becomes firmer and oil production becomes more balanced, pores appear smaller and skin texture improves.These treatments are suitable for oily pores, ageing pores, and acne-damaged pores, and are often chosen by patients who want noticeable tightening with moderate downtime.
Injectables
Juvelook is a collagen-stimulating injectable that works by strengthening and thickening the skin over time. By improving skin elasticity and dermal support, it helps reduce the appearance of enlarged pores caused by skin laxity and thinning due to ageing. As the skin becomes healthier and firmer from within, pores appear more refined and less obvious. This treatment is ideal for patients with ageing pores, fine lines, and overall loss of skin firmness who prefer gradual, natural-looking improvement.
PDRN (salmon DNA skin booster) improves the appearance of pores by repairing the skin barrier, enhancing hydration, and reducing inflammation. Healthier, better-hydrated skin reflects light more evenly and has smoother texture, which makes pores look less visible. While PDRN does not physically “shrink” pores, it supports skin recovery, improves skin quality, and is often used alongside laser or RF treatments to speed up healing and enhance overall result.
Begin Your Pore-Refining Journey at Kaiteki Clinic
Now that you read all about pore treatments, do understand that there are different type of pores and different patients have different expectations. We will need to understand your skin, examine the pores and curate out a treatment plan for you.
Please do visit our clinics for a detailed assessment and consultation.
