Enlarged Pores Treatment in Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

Why pores look enlarged

Every hair follicle on the face has an opening, and each is attached to a sebaceous (oil) gland. Pores cannot open and close like doors, but how large they look changes with oil output, the firmness of the skin around them and what is sitting inside them. In practice, most people have one dominant pattern.

Oily round pores

Common on the nose, central cheeks and forehead. Sebaceous glands enlarge under the influence of hormones and genetics, and a high flow of oil stretches the follicle opening. These pores tend to look round and often worsen in hot, humid months.

Sagging, elongated pores

From the 30s onwards, collagen and elastin around each follicle weaken and the skin begins to descend slightly. Pores on the outer cheeks then look teardrop-shaped or line up into a pattern of small furrows. Sun damage speeds this up. Here, the issue is support rather than oil.

Congested pores

Dead skin cells mixed with sebum form plugs — blackheads and whiteheads — which hold the opening wide and make it look darker. Heavy makeup, insufficient cleansing and slow cell turnover contribute.

Past inflammatory acne can also leave pores with damaged, less elastic walls. Understanding which pattern you have is the first step, because treating sagging pores with oil-control alone, or oily pores with collagen boosters alone, usually disappoints.

How Doje Clinic assesses pores

In a 1:1 consultation, Dr. Byun Jeik examines pore shape, distribution and oiliness, together with overall skin firmness. Mark-View 3D skin analysis gives objective data on pores and texture, which is useful both for planning and for comparing progress later.

Doje’s Skin & Energy menu groups pore care under a dedicated pores and texture line — autologous exosome with Potenza, exosome with Potenza pumping, and GOURI or Re2O — but the combination is selected for your skin rather than applied as a fixed package.

Options from mild to advanced

1. Daily routine. Gentle double cleansing, non-comedogenic products and daily sunscreen. Prescription retinoids, where appropriate, are managed by a dermatologist or your doctor.
2. Deep cleansing. Aquapeel is used as supportive care to clear congestion and hydrate, often before other treatments.
3. Skin Botox. Micro-doses of toxin placed superficially can reduce oil output and refine the look of oily pores. See Skin Botox.
4. RF microneedling with exosome. Potenza delivers radiofrequency energy through fine needles to stimulate collagen around the pores; exosome + Potenza pumping pairs this with exosome delivery to support recovery and texture. Doje’s autologous exosome can be used in the same way.
5. Collagen boosters. GOURI or Re2O aim to strengthen the dermal support that sagging pores have lost.
6. Address sagging. When elongated pores are part of mid-face descent, lifting the tissue — through energy devices or a thread lift — can change pore appearance more than surface work alone.

Where Doje’s programs fit

Most pore concerns are handled with single treatments or a short course from the pores and texture line. If pores are one sign of broader ageing, Dr. Byun may fold pore care into a Signature Program so that lift and skin quality are planned together.

When a dermatologist is more appropriate

Active acne, painful cysts, rosacea, or small yellowish bumps that may be sebaceous hyperplasia should be diagnosed first. Medical treatment of acne or rosacea, including prescription medication, is the role of a dermatologist; pore refinement can follow once the skin is calm.

What to expect

1. 1:1 consultation and pore-type assessment.
2. Mark-View 3D analysis to record baseline pores and texture.
3. A plan matched to oily, sagging or congested pores.
4. Treatment; RF microneedling typically leaves redness for a day or a few days.
5. Review after the course, comparing analysis data.

Cost

Fees vary with the treatments and number of sessions, so they are quoted after a 1:1 consultation. Korean aesthetic fees are non-covered (비급여); ask for a written quote.

Frequently asked questions

Can pores be permanently shrunk?

Pore size is partly genetic, so treatment refines their appearance rather than changing them permanently. Maintenance and sun protection help keep results.

Which treatment suits oily pores?

Skin Botox is often considered for oily pores because it can reduce oil output. Congestion is addressed with cleansing care.

Why are my cheek pores teardrop-shaped?

Elongated cheek pores usually reflect loss of collagen support and mild sagging. Collagen stimulation or lifting tends to suit them better than oil control.

How much downtime does Potenza have?

Redness and mild swelling typically settle within a day to a few days, depending on settings and skin.

Can I treat pores if I still have acne?

Active acne should be treated by a dermatologist first; pore refinement is planned once the skin is calm.

How much does pore treatment cost?

It is quoted after a 1:1 consultation. Korean aesthetic fees are non-covered and set per plan, so request a written quote.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Rough skin texture
• Acne scars
• Potenza
• Exosome + Potenza vs Potenza alone
• Botox vs Skin Botox
• GOURI vs Re2O
• Reading your skin analysis

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.