Enlarged pores - solving an aesthetic problem

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Enlarged pores

Enlarged pores are a common skincare concern, often linked to excess oil or ageing. While you can’t shrink them permanently, you can make them less noticeable, says Juuli Korkeila, our trained medical skincare nurse.

In this article, we discuss treatments for enlarged pores, from home treatments to aesthetic injections and laser treatments.

 

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Summary

  • Problem: Enlarged pores can make the skin look dull and uneven. The appearance of enlarged pores can be caused by factors such as increased oil production in the skin, genetics, ageing, excessive sun exposure or improper skin care routines. Blackheads and other impurities further exacerbate the problem.
  • Solutions: While you can’t permanently shrink your pores, you can make them look noticeably smaller. A simple, focused home routine—using products with fruit acids, salicylic acid or retinoids, and always applying good sunscreen—can really help. And if you’re after faster, more dramatic results, our in-clinic treatments—microneedling, microbotox, chemical peels and laser—will refine your skin when home care alone isn’t enough.
  • How to get started: if enlarged pores are a concern, a free skincare consultation at E-Beauty can help. The consultation will identify your skin type, the extent of the problem, possible treatment options and your available budget. These will be used to create a personalised treatment pathway that will significantly improve the appearance of pores.

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Tackle Enlarged Pores at Every Age

Several factors can cause pores to appear enlarged. Pores are a normal part of your skin’s structure, letting oil and sweat reach the surface. Yet sometimes they can look larger than usual.

The glass-skin trend highlights smooth, radiant skin, so enlarged pores can be a concern at any age.

Main causes of enlarged pores

  • Oily skin type
    Excess sebum production can enlarge pores. Sebum-induced blockages stretch the pores, sometimes permanently.
  • Ageing
     With ageing, the collagen and elastin content of the skin decreases. This reduction in collagen and elastin causes the skin to sag and become less resilient. As the skin sags and stretches, so do the pores.
  • Genes
     Genes influence the size of skin pores. It is as if a person can inherit enlarged pores from previous generations.
  • Hormonal changes
     Hormonal imbalances can increase sebum production and skin impurities, which sooner or later start to show up as enlarged pores. It is typical for pores to expand, particularly during puberty, pregnancy and the onset of menopause.
  • Sunshine
    The sun's UV rays break down collagen and elastin. These are the connective tissue proteins behind skin firmness and elasticity. If the skin is not protected from the sun, the breakdown of collagen and elastin can be seen, for example, in the elongation of the skin - and pores.
  • Wrong skin care habits
     Poor cleansing or overly heavy products can clog pores. Clogged pores are prone to expanding.

3 tips from Juul:

Bid Farewell to Bad Skincare
Products unsuitable for your skin type often cause impurities. Impurities clog and stretch pores. Ask a nurse qualified in medical skin care for help with product selection.

Smoke Less, Skip the Vape, Stub It Out!
Smoking and heavy drinking slow down your skin’s natural renewal process and break down its support structure—like collagen and elastin. When this structure weakens, the skin starts to sag, and pores become more visible.

Take it easy!
Stress can boost oil production and lead to more breakouts. By taking time to unwind, you’ll do your whole body—and your skin—a favor.

Prevent Enlarged Pores for Smooth, Radiant Skin

Preventing enlarged pores is easier than treating the problem. Regular and proper skin care routines and a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of enlarged pores. If your skin is healthy, conscientious home care alone can keep skin firm and pores undetectable.

The key to preventive care is to use the right home care products for your skin type, to protect yourself from the sun and to have regular skin cleansing by a professional. For help with skin care and choosing the right products for your skin type, contact me and my colleagues," says Juuli Korkeila.

Skincare Made Simple

  • Cleanse your skin every morning and evening.
    Daily skin cleansing removes sebum, dirt and impurities that can clog pores. Gel cleansers are often suitable for oily and combination skin, while creamy options are recommended for dry skin. To help with cleansing, it's a good idea to use face lotion or 'skin care wipes'. It is also a good idea to exfoliate your skin according to professional instructions, but not too much.
  • Choose the right products for your skin.
    Choose products that suit your skin type. Lightweight, non-comedogenic creams and serums help keep pores clean. Retinoids (e.g. retinol) and BHA (salicylic acid) products can also reduce sebum production and prevent congestion.
  • Consider enzymatic or acid peeling - also at home.
    Regular chemical or enzyme peels remove dead skin cells and prevent them from accumulating as impurities in the pores. Light AHA and BHA products for home care are particularly suitable for deep cleansing of pores.

    • If your skin type is normal or dry, you can choose from AHAs, such as mandelic acid.
    • If you have oily or combination skin, choose salicylic acid (BHA).
    • When pore enlargement is associated with skin ageing, glycolic and lactic acid derivatives often offer the best help.
  • Protect your skin from the sun
     Sunlight can make your skin sag and slow its recovery, which can permanently stretch your pores. To protect your skin, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day.
  • Lighten your make-up load.
    A thick base of makeup applied daily can clog and widen pores. Choose the right foundation for your skin type and wash it off thoroughly at the end of the day. Makeup-free days are a joy for your skin.
  • Beauty sleep and other magic tricks!Limit smoking and heavy drinking—they can sap your skin’s firmness and elasticity. Aim for plenty of rest, a balanced diet, and regular exercise to keep your skin radiant and resilient.

You can do a lot for your pores with small, daily choices. Taken care of, healthy skin looks bright and even.

Choosing the right skincare products and sticking to a simple daily routine are your best defense against enlarged pores. Gently cleanse and shield your skin every morning and evening to keep it healthy—and a clear, glowing complexion never goes out of style, whether you’re 25 or 65.
—Nurse Juuli Korkeila

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medical skin care for enlarged pores

Medical skin care

Quality skincare products have a significant impact on the appearance of pores. Properly selected products keep skin clean, healthy and regenerative.

Product recommendations for enlarged pores:

  • Proper Cleansing
    Find the best cleanser for your skin by consulting a skincare expert. If your skin is oily, a gel cleanser can help control shine. Dry skin benefits from creamy or milky formulas that add moisture. And if your skin is easily irritated, choosing a gentle, soothing cleanser is essential.
  • Peeling products
    Regular chemical exfoliation with products such as AHA and BHA-based products accelerates skin regeneration and removes dead skin cells.
  • Hydrating
    Proper hydration gives your skin a smooth, even glow. Choose a lightweight moisturizer that nourishes without clogging your pores. Once your skin’s natural barrier is strong, you’ll often need very little extra moisture.
  • Retinoids
    Retinols and other vitamin A derivatives exfoliate the skin's surface, purify the skin and gently stimulate the skin's own collagen synthesis.
  • Sunscreen products
    Daily use of a quality UV sunscreen prevents sun damage. A small amount of sunlight is good for your skin, but the sun's UV rays cause skin to sag and pores to enlarge. There are many sunscreen products available, and a product that is not right for your skin can even increase the appearance of impurities and enlarged pores. Ask a medical skin care professional to help you choose a sunscreen.
  • Masks
    Clay and sulphur-based masks are particularly suitable for oily and combination skin.

Quantity is no substitute for quality. The product arsenal can be scarce but still very effective.

Refine Pores with Retinol

Retinol accelerates skin regeneration, increases collagen and elastin production and improves the skin's moisture balance. Continuously regenerating skin cells and strong collagen strands make the skin firm and bright. Healthy, bright and firm skin also makes pores less noticeable than usual.

Benefits

  • Accelerates the regeneration of skin cells, smoothing and brightening the surface of the skin.
  • Removes blockages from pores.
  • Thickens and tightens the skin gently. In full, firm skin, pores are less visible than in flabby, thin skin.

Efficacy

  • The results depend on the retinol content of the product and how well and over what period of time the retinol contained in the product is released into the skin.
  • The results of light retinol products are visible after an average of 12 weeks of use.
  • The results of 0.5% and 1% retinol products start to show more quickly.
  • Strong retinols often cause more side effects in the early stages of treatment than light retinols. On the other hand, the stronger the retinol, the more visible the result.
  • Retinol works when used regularly, preferably as prescribed by a professional.
  • There will be restrictions on the sale of retinol products in 2026. The sale of 0.5% and 1% retinols will only be allowed until this year. From 2026, the maximum permitted retinol content in cosmetic products will be 0.3%.
  • Tretinoin is the stronger sibling of retinol in the vitamin A family. Tretinoin creams are prescription medicines used mainly to treat acne but also other skin problems such as age-related changes and enlarged pores.

Retinoids are one of the most effective ways to treat enlarged pores. They speed up skin cell renewal, remove blockages and strengthen the skin, making pores appear smaller and skin look smoother," says nurse Juuli Korkeila.

chemical peeling helsinki

Refine Pores with Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are an effective way to treat enlarged pores by deep cleansing the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving the overall quality of the skin. Although pores cannot be reduced or closed, chemical peels are one way to fade them.

Main Benefits:

  • Remove dead skin cells that clog pores and enlarge them.
  • Balance the production of tallow, reducing the amount of new pollutants.
  • Break down sebum and impurities that build up in the pores.
  • Reduce inflammation, leaving skin looking smoother and brighter.

Other benefits:

  • Collagen production increases. The increased collagen firms the skin. In plump skin, pores are less visible than in flabby skin.
  • Exfoliation improves the absorption of skin smoothing and firming actives.

Classification of chemical peels

  • Light peels: quick and easy lunchtime treatments, after which you can get straight back into the swing of everyday life.
  • Medium depth peels: usually cause redness and flaking for a few days. On the other hand, the results are also clear.
  • Deep peels: significantly improve the condition and appearance of the skin. Long recovery time.

Light chemical peels - AHA and BHA solutions

A light chemical peel removes the outermost cells of the skin. This type of peel is suitable for the treatment of incipient fine lines, acne, dry skin and pigmentary lesions. Light peels can be performed every 2-5 weeks. The most common active ingredients are glycolic acid, salicylic acid or Jessner's solution.

A light chemical peel is a quick procedure; recovery is also straightforward. This peel is suitable for most skin types, including dark skin. Good results can only be achieved with a series of treatments.

Medium-strength chemical peel - TCA

A medium-strength chemical peel removes skin cells from the epidermis and partly also from the upper layers of the dermis. This peel smoothes the surface of the skin, fades pores and acne scars and lightens pigmentation spots. After the peel, the skin may show redness, swelling and even mild scarring for about a week. The effects of a TCA peel are more intense than those of a light AHA/BHA peel. TCA peels are particularly suitable for fair skin types. In most cases, two treatments are sufficient. Aftercare instructions should be followed with particular care.

Deep chemical peeling - phenol

Deep chemical peeling extends to the deep layers of the dermis. It is particularly suitable for the treatment of deep wrinkles, scars and in some cases even precancerous lesions. This treatment is carried out with strong chemicals, most often phenol. The treatment is always carried out by a trained doctor or surgeon. Phenol peels cause significant redness, swelling and other symptoms. Recovery takes several weeks. This peel gives dramatic results and does not need to be repeated. Because phenol can cause serious health risks - even arrhythmias - treatment requires close medical supervision and careful, long-term aftercare.

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microneedling pores

Microneedling treatment to fade pores

Nurse Essi Ojala performed two Skinpen microneedling treatments for the client in the photos.
The series of treatments will be continued in a few months.

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Microneedling for enlarged pores
pores microneedling
enlarged pores
Microneedling of skin pores

The power of microneedling

Microneedling is a popular cosmetic treatment that helps shrink enlarged pores and more. Fine needles create tiny micro-injuries, prompting your skin’s natural repair process and boosting collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin.

Benefits of microneedling

Collagen stimulation

  • Collagen is an important part of the skin's natural support structure. It keeps the skin firm and smooth.
  • Microneedling accelerates the production of collagen in the skin. New collagen strands tighten the skin. As tissue fusion improves, enlarged pores are also reduced.

Elastin stimulation

  • Elastin is a partner of collagen. It makes the skin supple and elastic.
  • Microneedling also stimulates the production of new elastin. As the skin's elasticity and resilience improve, the tendency for pores to expand is reduced.

Many microneedling clients report visible improvements in pore size and skin texture after just a couple of treatments, says our nursing team.

Risks and factors to consider

Possible side effects

Redness, swelling or mild bruising may occur after treatment. These are usually temporary.

Who is not suitable for microneedling?

Pregnant women and people with certain skin conditions may not be suitable for microneedling.

What about recovery?

Recovery from the treatment can take several days, especially if the treatment is done with longer needles than usual.

Is the effect permanent?

  • Microneedling can visibly reduce pores, but the effects are usually not permanent. Results can be maintained by one-off re-treatments, for example at the change of season.
  • The results of treatment vary from person to person - for some, the effects of just a couple of sessions can last for a long time. Others may need several sessions to achieve long-lasting results.

Microneedling is an effective way to smooth the skin and fade enlarged pores. Repeat treatments are needed to maintain the results.

enlarged pores microbotox

Tighten Pores with Microbotox

Microbotox is a modern skin treatment that shrinks pores for several months. It works by applying tiny amounts of Botox just beneath the skin’s surface to smooth and refine your complexion.

Benefits

  • Reduces the size of pores and their visibility.
  • Reduces excessive sebum production and skin shine.
  • Improves the texture of the skin and makes it even.
  • Smoothes out superficial wrinkles on the skin.
  • Reduces facial skin oiliness and perspiration.

Microbotox is an excellent treatment for the temporary reduction of enlarged pores. The treatment should be done traditionally with a needle and syringe. (Surgeon Ville Männistö)

The study compared two microbotox methods:

  • needle-injection technology
  • microwave technology

The study was carried out on the faces of 20 patients. The microbotox solution was microinjected on one side of the face. On the other side of the skin, the microbotox solution was applied after microneedling. The results were evaluated after one and four months.

Key results

  • Patients were more satisfied with needle-injection treatment than microneedling.
  • Microbotox treatment with needle-injection technique significantly reduced the size of skin pores and calmed down sebum production.
  • The treatment results were long-lasting (up to 4 months).
  • The needle-injection treatment reduced pore size by 87.2% on average.
  • On a Likert scale (0-5), the average patient satisfaction was 4.7.
  • During the study, no serious side effects were found to be associated with microbotox treatment.
  • Applying a botulinum solution to the skin surface after microneedling did not work as well as the needle-injection treatment. The pores were reduced, but the effect faded relatively quickly.

Other results

  • Age and skin elasticity affected the results. With age, a decrease in skin firmness and skin elasticity reduces the treatment response.
  • In women, microbotox treatment produced better results than in men.
  • Non-smoking and indoor work improved treatment outcomes. Smoking and sun exposure reduce skin condition and treatment response.

Side effects

  • The injection treatment was more effective than microbotox, but caused more pain than the microneedling treatment.
  • The injection technique increased the risk of bruising. Microneedling was associated with only minor redness and swelling.

Conclusion

If the aim of microbotox treatment is to shrink enlarged skin pores, it is best to use the traditional needle-injection technique. Results are achieved in a single treatment and last up to four months.

Treatment process

  • Microbotox injecting diluted botulinum toxin into the upper layers of the skin in small micro-doses.
  • The treatment takes about 30 minutes and requires no recovery time.
  • The stings hurt a little. The anaesthetic relieves the pain.
  • Typical side effects of the treatment include redness, swelling and small bruises at the injection sites.

Duration of treatment and follow-up

  • The effects of Microbotox last on average 4 months, and in some patients up to 6 months.
  • Results are maintained by repeating the treatment, for example every four months.

skin pores laser

Refine Pores with Laser Therapy

Laser treatments are one of the most effective ways to fade enlarged pores. The treatment stimulates the production of collagen in the skin and renews the surface layer of the skin.

Effects of laser treatment

  • Improves skin elasticity and firmness.
    In firm and elastic skin, pores are less visible than in flabby skin.
  • Deep cleans pores.
    Laser opens and cleans clogged pores effectively.
  • Also fades scars and unevenness.
    The treatment can also smooth out acne scars and other skin imperfections.
  • Prevents excessive oiling.
    Laser reduces excessive sebum production, which helps keep pores clean.
  • Gives long-lasting results.
    The results of laser treatment usually last for several months. Serial treatment can achieve very long-lasting effects.

Planning a laser treatment and defining an individual protocol requires medical expertise. The treatment can be carried out by a nurse working under a doctor who is trained in laser treatments.

Laser treatment is an effective and precise method for treating enlarged skin pores. It can be used to stimulate collagen production and repair the skin's surface. The pores fade and are well-defined with smooth, clear and firm skin. (Surgeon Ville Männistö)

Different types of laser treatments

Enlarged pores can be faded with many different types of laser.

  • Nd:YAG targets large pores and pigment changes in the skin. The treatment uses multiple wavelengths and the results are good and long-lasting.
  • The erbium laser exfoliates the skin. Exfoliation reduces pores and improves the youthfulness of the skin.
  • The CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser is a very powerful laser used to treat, for example, enlarged skin pores.

One study found that 80% of people treated for enlarged pores were satisfied or very satisfied with the results.

Benefits of laser treatments

  • Non-invasive (non-extensive) measures
  • As collagen stimulation treatments, they improve skin firmness and elasticity.
  • Tailorable for different skin types and problems.
  • Often only minimal recovery time (not because of CO2 laser).

Disadvantages of laser treatments

  • Redness and swelling after treatment.
  • In a small number of cases, scarring or hyperpigmentation may occur, especially when performed by an inexperienced professional.
  • May require several treatments.
    • After the carbon dioxide laser, you need to allow time to recover. The downside of a long recovery period is that good results can be achieved in just one treatment.
    • After gentle laser treatments, recovery is fast. On the other hand, serial treatments are also quite long.

Laser treatments are an effective and versatile solution for treating enlarged pores. The choice of laser technology and treatment results depend on the skin type. Consulting an experienced doctor or dermatologist is an important part of the treatment process.

Combination treatments give the best results

Even one session can make pores look smaller, and combining treatments delivers the most lasting improvement.

Personalized Treatment Bundles

  • Effective home care routine and microbotox
    Combining medical-grade skincare, a gentle home routine, and microbotox helps regulate oil, brighten your complexion, and visibly shrink pores.
  • Chemical peel and microneedling treatment
    Pairing a chemical peel with microneedling refreshes your skin’s surface, boosts collagen production, and makes pores virtually disappear.

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