Enlarged Pores Split Into Three Causes | Pore Treatment in Gangnam Seoul, Korea K-Beauty Guide

When discussing pores, it's common for people to use the same words to describe completely different conditions.

Pores that appear enlarged due to excess oil and pores that are elongated due to reduced elasticity are different issues.

However, it's common for people to come in after receiving only one "pore treatment that's good for pores" found through a search.

If the approach is misaligned, increasing the number of sessions may not lead to a noticeable improvement.

Please take just one minute to read this.

There's a way to check when you look in the mirror.

If your pores are noticeably less visible when you lie down, the proportion of elasticity issues is likely significant.

If they remain the same regardless of your posture, the proportion of oil or skin texture issues is likely significant.

If you have excessive sebum secretion and enlarged pore openings, the approach will first be to manage secretion and dead skin cells, and then refine the skin texture.

If strong regenerative treatments are applied at this stage, the oily condition may remain, and the results may not last long.

By reversing the order, managing oil first and then refining the skin texture, you may experience a different outcome.

(※ Effects and reactions may vary depending on individual skin condition, and suitability for treatment is determined through consultation with medical staff.)

If your pores are not round but elongated downwards, you should look at the elasticity of the surrounding skin rather than the pores themselves.

In this case, treatments targeting only the pores have limitations.

Combining this with an approach that boosts dermal elasticity may help to smooth out the elongated shape.

This is similar to how the shape of a hole in a bag made of the same material changes when it's taut versus when it's stretched out.

This is the case when you have suffered from acne for a long time or have uneven skin texture due to repeated inflammation.

In such cases, surface refinement alone is insufficient, and an approach that stimulates dermal regeneration is considered.

However, for this type, recovery tends to take longer, and post-treatment reactions can be significant, so it may be safer to approach it with multiple sessions at varying intensities.

We often receive requests like, "Please give me the strongest treatment."

However, if a strong regenerative treatment is applied to an oily type, it may only increase the recovery burden while the underlying cause, sebum, remains unchanged.

Conversely, if only surface refinement is repeatedly applied to an elasticity type, the elongated shape will persist.

Direction comes before intensity.

And usually, rather than a single pure type, two types are often mixed, so the combination is determined by assessing the proportions.

Do I only need one pore treatment?

It's rare for the cause to be a single factor. It may be more effective to determine the combination by assessing which proportion of oil, elasticity, or regenerative power is greater.

What is the approach for pores that appear enlarged due to excessive oil?

It may be suitable to first manage sebum secretion and dead skin cells, and then refine the skin texture. If regenerative treatments are applied while the oily condition remains, the results may not last long.

My pores appear elongated downwards.

There is a possibility that reduced elasticity is a significant factor. This is especially true if they are less visible when you lie down. We consider an approach that addresses not only the pores but also the surrounding dermal elasticity.

Is there swelling or pain after pore treatment?

Depending on the method, temporary redness, swelling, and stinging may occur. The degree and duration vary from person to person.

What if I haven't felt any effect from previous treatments?

Rather than repeating the same treatment, we recommend re-evaluating which pore type is closest to yours. If the approach is misaligned, it can be difficult to feel a difference even with increased sessions.

Approaches that refine the surface generally result in redness that subsides within a day or two.

Approaches that stimulate dermal regeneration may involve swelling and peeling that lasts for several days.

If you have a schedule, it's best to adjust the timing depending on the chosen approach, so please inform us during the consultation, and we will design the plan accordingly.

The cost of pore management is not determined by the price of a single treatment.

It varies depending on the combination tailored to your type, how many treatments are performed together in one session, and how many sessions are planned in total.

Whether pre-diagnosis and post-treatment soothing care are included also affects the cost.

The exact cost can be accurately provided after a consultation to confirm your pore type.

O.N Clinic is conveniently located near Gangnam Station, making it easily accessible by subway.

Before your visit, you can easily inquire about any questions you have by chatting with us now, and through a consultation, you can coordinate your pore type, treatment combination, and appointment schedule.

The most accurate way to determine the right combination is to confirm your skin condition during an in-person consultation.

Written by: Dr. Oh Seung-min (Representative Director of O.N Clinic, graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Academic Committee Chairman of the Korean Laser Dermatology and Hair Society). For more details on his background, please refer to Meet Our Team. First published 2026-08-12 / Last reviewed 2026-08-15

This article is for general informational purposes only, and the appropriate treatment and results may vary depending on individual conditions.