WHAT TO KNOW
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Pores are supposed to be there. They are part of normal skin, not openings that need to be sealed.
What can change is how noticeable they look. Some pores stand out because the skin is oilier. Others become more visible because of the size of the follicle or changes in the support around it. A better question is what is making the pores look more obvious on your skin, as that determines what may actually help.
What Open Pores Mean
“Open pores” is the everyday term for facial pores that look larger or more visible than expected. It is not a diagnosis.
On the face, these openings are part of hair follicles connected to sebaceous glands. Sebum reaches the skin surface through them.
The size and visibility of pores vary naturally from person to person. Having visible pores does not mean the skin is unhealthy.
Why Pores Look Larger
Pore visibility is mainly influenced by three things: surface oil, the support around the follicular opening and the natural size of the follicle itself.
| More surface oil | Less support around the pore | Larger follicle size |
| Higher sebum production can make pores easier to notice. | Reduced elasticity or dermal support can make the opening appear broader. | Some follicles are naturally larger, so their openings look more visible. |
More than one factor can be present. Genetics can influence follicle size. Oil production changes how obvious pores look. UV-related skin change can also reduce the support around them over time.
| Dermatologist’s Perspective: Visible Pores Do Not Mean Dirty Skin Dr Sukhsagar Ratol, MBBS, MD • Founder & Director, Ageology Skin Clinic Oil and congestion can make pores stand out, but visible pores are not a sign that you are not cleansing well enough. Some follicles are simply more noticeable because of their natural size or the support around them. Scrubbing harder will not shrink a normal follicle. If cleansing is already gentle and consistent, the useful question is what is actually making the pores look prominent. |
| PORES VS ACNE SCARS Small acne scars and enlarged pores can look similar in side lighting. The difference is underneath. An acne scar reflects a change in the surrounding dermis. A pore is a normal follicular opening that has become more visible. If you have both, the scarring may matter more when choosing treatment. |
What Can Reduce the Appearance of Large Pores
Once you know what is making the pores stand out, it becomes easier to choose what may help. The pores remain part of your skin, but they may become less noticeable.
The realistic aim of open-pore treatment is to make enlarged pores look less noticeable by addressing the factors that draw attention to them.
If oiliness is the main issue, the approach may focus on sebum and congestion. If texture or reduced support around the pore is more relevant, an in-clinic treatment may be considered.
Skincare for Visible Pores
If oil or congestion is drawing attention to the pores, skincare is the right place to start. It cannot change the basic structure of a pore. It can make the surrounding skin look clearer and less congested.
A practical starting point may include:
• Use gentle cleansing rather than aggressive scrubbing.
• Choose non-comedogenic products when congestion is part of the problem.
• Retinoids may be considered for suitable people when oiliness, acne or reduced firmness is also relevant.
• Use regular sun protection to limit cumulative UV-related skin change.
• Avoid picking or squeezing the skin because this can add irritation.
Retinoids can irritate the skin, especially when first introduced, and are not suitable for everyone. They should be avoided during pregnancy.
| AT-HOME CARE HAS LIMITS. Skincare can help control excess surface oil, reduce congestion and support the skin barrier. Regular sun protection also helps limit cumulative UV-related changes that can reduce skin support over time. Skincare will not change a naturally larger follicle. It will not permanently seal the opening either. Knowing that limit helps you judge whether home care is enough. |
Choosing an Open Pores Treatment
If skincare is not enough, the next step is to identify what is still making the pores noticeable. A large pores treatment should target that factor rather than treating every visible pore in the same way.
• If oiliness and congestion are the main issue, skincare that helps control sebum and keep follicles clear may be the first step.
• If acne scarring or uneven texture is making the area look rougher, treatment may need to focus on the texture rather than the pores alone.
• If reduced firmness around the pore is making it look wider, RF microneedling or another suitable skin-tightening treatment may be considered.
• If the follicles are naturally larger, treatment may make them less noticeable, but it cannot remove the pores or change normal anatomy.
| Skin sensitivity and previous treatment history can also affect the choice. Downtime matters too. If more than one factor is present, a combination may be considered. Each treatment should still have a clear purpose. That assessment helps narrow down which in-clinic options are worth considering. |
In-Clinic Treatment Options
If oil and congestion are under control but the pores still look prominent, texture or reduced support may be playing a bigger role. That is where an in-clinic treatment may be considered. Each option targets something different.
| Option | What it may help with |
| RF microneedling / Morpheus8 | Texture and reduced skin support in suitable cases |
| Selected laser treatments | Texture and the appearance of enlarged pores, depending on the device |
RF microneedling has published evidence for enlarged facial pores. Some laser studies also report improvement. But “laser” is not one treatment, so results from one device should not be applied to another (Ren et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2024).
Not sure what is making your pores look more noticeable?
RF Microneedling and Morpheus8
When texture and reduced dermal support are part of the concern, RF microneedling is one option that may be considered. Morpheus8 treatment is one branded form of fractional RF microneedling.
Fine needles deliver radiofrequency energy into the skin, creating controlled thermal injury that can stimulate remodelling in the treated tissue.
This may be relevant when texture or reduced dermal support is part of why pores look more noticeable.
The important limitation is that pore-specific evidence largely relates to RF microneedling as a treatment category. It does not prove that Morpheus8 is superior to every other RF microneedling device for visible pores (Ren et al., 2022; Parvar et al., 2023).
Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness or pinpoint crusting can occur after treatment. Recovery and suitability should be discussed beforehand.
Skin Tightening and Pore Visibility
Skin tightening only makes sense when reduced support around the pore is part of the problem. If it is not, tightening the skin is unlikely to be the most useful place to start.
Lower elasticity around the follicular opening is one recognised factor associated with enlarged pores. In that situation, a skin tightening treatment that improves dermal support or texture may make pores look less obvious.
That does not mean visible pores alone are a reason to have a tightening procedure. If oil production or follicle size is the main driver, a different approach may make more sense.
| Realistic Results A realistic result is smoother-looking skin and pores that draw less attention. The pores will still be there. Perfectly poreless skin is not a realistic or healthy goal. Results also vary with the reason the pores are visible, the treatment used and how the skin responds. A good consultation should make clear what may improve, what may change only slightly and whether treatment is worth considering for your skin. |
Want to understand what is making your pores look more visible?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which treatments may help visible pores?
There is no single treatment for every type of visible pore. If oiliness is contributing, the approach may be different from one chosen for reduced skin support or texture.
Can open pores be permanently closed?
No. Facial pores are normal follicular openings. Treatment can make some pores look less noticeable, but it does not permanently seal or remove them.
Can skincare reduce large pores?
It can make some large pores look less obvious, especially when oiliness or congestion contributes. Skincare does not remove the pore itself.
Can Morpheus8 treatment reduce the appearance of open pores?
RF microneedling has been studied for enlarged facial pores, and improvement has been reported. Morpheus8 uses this technology, but the pore-specific evidence mainly supports the broader treatment category rather than proving one branded device is superior (Ren et al., 2022; Parvar et al., 2023).
Can a skin tightening treatment make pores look smaller?
It may help when reduced elasticity or dermal support is part of why the pores look more visible. It is less likely to be the main answer when oil production or follicle size is the dominant contributor.
References
American Academy of Dermatology Association (n.d.) ‘What can treat large facial pores?’.
Chandra, S., Mysore, V., Shah, S., Malayanur, D. and S.R., S. (2024) ‘Physics of fractional microneedle radiofrequency: A review’, Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 17(3), pp. 177–183.
Lee, S.J., Seok, J., Jeong, S.Y., Park, K.Y., Li, K. and Seo, S.J. (2016) ‘Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options’, Dermatologic Surgery, 42(3), pp. 277–285.
Liu, X., Zeng, R., Liu, Y., Guo, L., Zhang, M., Zheng, H., Wu, Q., Ge, Y. and Lin, T. (2024) ‘Comparison of the 1064-nm picosecond laser with fractionated microlens array and 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser for the treatment of enlarged pores: a randomized, split-face, controlled trial’, Lasers in Medical Science, 39(1), 80.
Parvar, S.Y., Amani, M., Shafiei, M., Rastaghi, F., Hosseini, S.A. and Ahramiyanpour, N. (2023) ‘The efficacy and adverse effects of treatment options for facial pores: A review article’, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 22(3), pp. 763–775.
Ren, K., Liu, H., Li, B. and Zhou, B. (2022) ‘Fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for enlarged facial pores: A real-world retrospective observational study on 75 patients’, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 21(12), pp. 6742–6753.
