Overview
Pores are a natural skin structure. For this reason, the realistic objective is not to make them disappear completely, but to reduce how visible they are, control oil and congestion, and improve the skin surface.
Why do pores look larger?
High oil production, congestion, dehydration, shallow scars, loss of elasticity, and photographic lighting can all make pores more noticeable. Two people may both see “large pores,” yet their main causes can be different.
Over-cleansing can be counterproductive
When clients try to make the skin extremely dry with strong cleansers or daily acids, the skin barrier can weaken. The skin may continue producing oil while the surface is dry, making the texture appear rougher.
Congestion needs control first
If pores contain a great deal of sebum and blackheads, appropriate cleansing, gentle peel, or supportive active ingredients can make the surface clearer. Using laser alone while congestion continues will make results difficult to maintain.
Pico, RF, and CO₂ have different roles
Pico can support pigmentation and the skin surface in suitable indications. RF Microneedling and CO₂ Fractional act more deeply on structure and are often considered when rough texture, shallow scars, or loss of firmness are present.
No device is the best option for everyone. Skin that is inflamed or sensitive may need stabilisation first.
Skin boosters improve skin quality but do not replace restructuring
Skin boosters can help the skin look more hydrated and smoother, making pores less prominent. However, if the main cause is scarring or structural loss, hydration alone will not be enough.
Results need assessment under consistent lighting
Photos taken under side lighting make pores appear more obvious. Before-and-after images need the same angle, the same lighting, and adequate time after treatment.
DIVA’s Perspective
DIVA distinguishes pores related to oil, congestion, scars, dehydration, or ageing. The approach may begin with cleansing, peel, oil control, recovery, or restructuring technology.
Clients do not need to choose Pico, CO₂, or RF themselves. What matters is identifying the main objective and the level of downtime they can accept.
Conclusion
Pores cannot disappear completely, but they can look smaller and more even when the cause is managed correctly. Results usually come from combining oil and congestion control, structural improvement, and home care.
Are Enlarged Pores Caused by Oil, Loss of Elasticity, or Scars?
Introduction
Pores can be visible because of oil and congestion, loss of elasticity around the follicle, or shallow scars that cast a pore-like shadow. There is no method that permanently “closes” pores, but their visibility can be improved by addressing the correct cause.
Common signs
Oil-related pores are often most visible on the nose, forehead, and cheeks near the nose and may be accompanied by blackheads. With loss of elasticity, pores tend to appear elongated and become more visible with age. If the surface has many fixed depressions that are not exactly at follicle openings, acne scars may be present.
Why does this condition occur?
Genetics, sebaceous glands, congestion, sun exposure, age, acne, and structural injury all play a role. Dehydration can temporarily make the surface rougher and pores more visible, but moisturising does not completely change follicle structure.
Common approaches that make the problem worse
A mistake is using pore strips, extracting the nose, or doing strong peels continuously to make pores disappear. These approaches may create a temporary effect but can easily irritate the skin. Another mistake is choosing a skin booster expecting it to erase every pore when the cause is scarring.
How does DIVA assess the condition?
DIVA assesses oil, congestion, elasticity, scars, and skin tone. Side lighting helps distinguish pores from scar depressions. The plan needs to set expectations around surface improvement rather than promising “complete pore tightening.”
Why is personalisation necessary?
At DIVA, the name of a concern is only the starting point. Two clients may use the same word to describe their skin yet have completely different causes, degrees of inflammation, recovery capacity, and objectives. For this reason, a method is not selected from one photo alone or from the name of a service the client heard about elsewhere. An in-person assessment helps determine what should be done today, what should be postponed, and what the client needs to do at home.
Treatment direction at the clinic
For oil and congestion, the priority is cleansing and keratinisation adjustment. For loss of elasticity, RF, HIFU, or an appropriate regenerative method may be considered. For scars, structural technologies such as RF Microneedling, CO₂, or a combination may be needed depending on scar type.
Why should too much not be done at once?
An important principle is not trying to manage every concern in one session. When the skin has several objectives, DIVA prioritises the issue with the greatest impact on safety or results, then moves to the next stage. This approach may feel slower than “doing a lot,” but it reduces cumulative inflammation and allows the skin’s response to each step to be observed.
The role of home care
Products that control oil and congestion can help pores look smaller, but overly strong use can dry the skin and be counterproductive. Moisturising helps make the surface smoother. Results are better when the routine and procedures both address the main cause.
Assessing results over time
Results should not be assessed only by how the skin feels immediately after a service. Some early visible changes are due to hydration, mild swelling, or lighting; structural and pigmentation changes need more time. Before-and-after photos should be taken at the same angle, under the same lighting, and with the same skin condition to avoid misunderstanding. When progress is not as expected, the plan needs adjustment rather than repeating one method.
When is medical assessment needed?
Pore-like lesions that are inflamed, painful, draining, or changing unusually need assessment. They should not be pierced or deeply extracted at home.
DIVA’s Perspective
Enlarged pores are not one single diagnosis. When DIVA understands which part is caused by oil, elasticity, or scars, it can choose a more realistic method and clearly explain the achievable degree of improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this condition improve on its own? Part of the condition may change over time if the cause of inflammation or irritation has stopped. However, when the problem continues to recur, leaves dark marks or scars, or affects daily life, early assessment helps prevent prolonged issues and reduces the risk of treatment in the wrong direction.
Can I start with one session? Yes. DIVA prioritises starting with one suitable session to assess the real response. After the first session, clients receive care guidance and clear follow-up milestones; there is no need to buy a long package before knowing how the skin responds.
Note: This article provides general information and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. DIVA does not use the title of doctor and will refer clients to a medical facility when an issue is outside the aesthetic scope.
Nguyen Hai Dang — Founder & Treatment Practitioner
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General professional references
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Acne clinical guideline; acne skin-care guidance; isotretinoin patient guidance; post-acne marks and PIH.
DermNet New Zealand: Folliculitis; sensitive skin; contact dermatitis; topical retinoids; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
The articles are interpreted for client education, are not copied verbatim from the sources, and do not replace medical assessment.