When consulting about enlarged pores, even if they appear to be the same 'wide pores,' the causes are often different.
Pores that appear wide due to sebum and pores that are sagging downwards due to a depleted dermal layer require different approaches.
Therefore, in the clinic, before combining Retigen and Oligio X as a set, we first differentiate the reasons why the pores have become enlarged.
(※ The degree and duration of improvement may vary depending on the individual's skin condition.)
Take just 1 minute to read this.
Enlarged Pores: You Must First Differentiate 'This'
Many people initially notice makeup settling slightly or pores becoming more prominent in the afternoon.
It's common for people to seek consultation only after their pores have visibly enlarged to the point where makeup can no longer conceal them.
We often hear stories of people trying pore care cosmetics first during this period but feeling frustrated due to no noticeable change.
If you spend time only on cosmetics without accurately identifying the cause, you might realize too late that your pores are sagging downwards due to reduced elasticity.
The first two distinctions made in the clinic are:
- Pores that appear wide due to excess sebum — approached primarily with sebum and dead skin cell management.
- Pores that are sagging downwards because the dermal collagen layer is depleted.
- Pores that are sagging and enlarged due to reduced elasticity.
These are different issues, so identifying your pore type first is the starting point for determining the treatment direction.
In the early stages, it may be relatively easier to determine the direction, but this also varies depending on the skin condition.
Can Depleted and Enlarged Pores Be Filled with Retigen?
Retigen is known as a treatment that helps replenish collagen in the dermal layer.
To use an analogy, it's akin to the principle of helping the sponge inside a deflated mattress to plump up from within.
When the area around the pores is filled from the inside, it creates a supporting force for the pore openings, which may help manage enlarged pores.
When collagen in the dermal layer decreases, the structure supporting the pores weakens, which can lead to the pore openings sagging downwards.
Therefore, Retigen is one of the treatments considered for addressing pores that are depleted and enlarged.
(※ However, treatment effects and reactions may vary depending on the individual's skin condition, and swelling, pain, or redness may occur. The applicability of the treatment is determined through consultation with medical staff.)
The process of checking the skin first before recommending Lifting & Tightening devices, including Oligio X, was also discussed in the same context in Reasons Why We Examine the Skin First in the Clinic Before Recommending Oligio X.
In Which Cases is Oligio X Suitable?
Oligio X is a Lifting & Tightening treatment that delivers high-frequency thermal energy to the dermal layer.
It is known to immediately contract existing collagen while also inducing the creation of new collagen in the skin through thermal stimulation, which may help with elasticity management.
If Retigen was likened to the process of a sponge plumping up, Oligio X can be compared to the final step of pressing and securing the plumped sponge and smoothing its surface.
It is a treatment that can be considered as an approach for pores that are enlarged due to weakened elasticity.
Even with the same high-frequency treatment, the appropriate energy settings and treatment area vary depending on skin thickness and the degree of sagging. Therefore, we believe that assessing the skin condition first, rather than just numbers, is the correct order.
(※ Oligio X also has individual differences in effects and reactions, and swelling or redness may occur after the treatment, so sufficient consultation with medical staff should precede.)
The reasons why different approaches are recommended for different high-frequency devices are explained in detail in Reasons for Recommending Oligio Kiss and Onda Lifting Differently.
If you have any questions, you can easily ask them via Chat for consultation now.
Why Design Two Treatments Together?
Enlarged pores often do not arise from a single cause.
It is common for pores to be both depleted and to have weakened elasticity simultaneously, so a single treatment may have limitations in its approach.
We believe that designing a combined approach, where Retigen fills the foundation around the pores and Oligio X then tightens it, may be more helpful for elasticity management.
The targets of the two treatments are summarized as follows:
| Category | Retigen | Oligio X |
|---|---|---|
| Primarily targets | Pores that are depleted and enlarged due to reduced dermal collagen | Pores that are sagging and enlarged due to reduced elasticity |
| Principle | Helps replenish dermal collagen | Induces contraction and collagen creation with high-frequency heat |
| Analogy | Filling the mattress sponge from within | Pressing and securing the filled sponge and smoothing it |
| Common precautions | Possible swelling, pain, redness; individual differences | Possible swelling, redness; individual differences |
At O.N Clinic, after analyzing skin condition with an AI skin analyzer, we recommend treatment combinations tailored to each individual's degree of sagging and skin thickness.
In some cases, other devices such as Thermage FLX may be considered instead of Oligio X.
The reason why even widely known devices like Thermage are not judged solely by the number of shots was discussed in Reasons Not to Judge Thermage Shots by Number Alone.
The key is to find the right combination for your pore type.
Rather than deciding on a single laser first, we recommend confirming whether your pores are enlarged due to depletion or weakened elasticity through consultation, and then determining the direction.
How Do Pore Cosmetics Differ from Treatments?
Many people delay visiting a dermatologist, thinking that pores can be managed with home care.
Cosmetics can primarily help temporarily refine sebum or dead skin cells on the skin's surface.
However, for pores that are enlarged due to reduced collagen in the dermal layer or decreased elasticity, it is often difficult to achieve noticeable changes with surface management alone.
Treatments differ in that they directly act on the dermal layer to help replenish collagen or improve elasticity.
That doesn't mean treatment is the only answer.
Surface management and treatments target different layers, so which one is needed can only be determined after checking the pore type.
When Consulting for Pore Treatment, Use 'These Criteria'
Sometimes, people try only one treatment and stop because they don't feel any change.
Often, this is due to the sequence of deciding on a treatment before confirming the pore type.
Here are some criteria that may be helpful to check when choosing a consultation center:
- Does it meticulously analyze your skin condition to determine your pore type?
- Does it propose a customized treatment combination based on the analysis results?
- Does it offer a variety of devices and options, not limited to just one?
No single approach is the only correct answer.
We recommend consulting thoroughly at several places and directly confirming which combination is suitable for your pore type and skin condition.
The perspective of differentiating between sagging first and elasticity first continues in Is Sagging First or Elasticity First? Criteria for Choosing Lifting & Tightening.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What pore types are Retigen and Oligio X suitable for?
Retigen may be helpful for pores that are depleted and enlarged due to reduced dermal collagen, and Oligio X can be considered for pores that are sagging due to decreased elasticity.
When both conditions appear simultaneously, combined treatments may be considered, and the appropriate combination varies depending on the skin condition, so it is best to decide through consultation with medical staff.
Can swelling or pain occur after pore treatment?
Both Retigen and Oligio X may cause swelling, pain, or redness after the treatment.
The degree of reaction and recovery period vary depending on the individual's skin condition, so we recommend thorough consultation with medical staff before treatment.
When do the effects of pore treatment appear?
The timing and extent of effects vary depending on the individual's skin condition.
Treatments that induce collagen creation often show gradual changes over a certain period, and the number of treatments or management direction is also determined individually through consultation.
Can other devices be substituted for Oligio X?
Depending on the skin condition and degree of sagging, other devices such as Thermage FLX may be considered instead of Oligio X.
It is advisable to determine which device is suitable through analysis using an AI skin analyzer and consultation with medical staff.
What is the difference between cosmetic pore care and dermatological treatments?
While cosmetics can primarily help temporarily manage sebum or dead skin cells on the skin's surface, it is often difficult to achieve noticeable changes with cosmetics alone for pores that are enlarged due to reduced collagen in the dermal layer or decreased elasticity.
Dermatological treatments directly act on the dermal layer to help replenish collagen or improve elasticity, so consultation for treatment can be considered depending on the pore type.
Recovery and Downtime: Recovery Patterns After Retigen and Oligio X
After high-frequency Lifting & Tightening like Oligio X, a sensation of heat, redness, or numbness may remain in the treated area, but it usually subsides within a few days, and there are individual differences.
For treatments injected into the dermal layer like Retigen, slight swelling or marks at the injection site may be temporarily visible, and these also often fade over time.
(※ Recovery patterns and duration vary depending on skin condition and treatment area, so we recommend scheduling with ample time.)
How is the Cost Structured?
It is difficult to state a single fixed price for pore treatments.
The cost structure varies depending on whether Retigen and Oligio X are performed together, whether it's the entire face or a specific area, the number of shots or treatment sessions, and whether pre-analysis like AI skin measurement and post-care are included.
The exact cost will be provided after confirming your pore type and degree of sagging through consultation.
Visit and Consultation Information
O.N Clinic is located on Gangnam-daero in Seoul, close to Gangnam Station Exit 11.
From confirming your pore type to determining whether to combine Retigen and Oligio X, you can easily inquire about any questions through online consultation or by making a reservation.
Author: Dr. Oh Seung-min (Chief 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 Medical Staff Introduction. First published 2026-06-05 / Last reviewed 2026-08-15
This article is for general information purposes only, and appropriate treatment and results may vary depending on individual conditions.
