Types and Causes of Visible Pores: Skincare Tips and Treatments Explained by a Cosmetic Dermatologist

Shinya Sasagawa, MD | Chairman, Shingetsukai Medical Corporation
Houreisen Skin Clinic (Osaka / Tokyo / Nagoya)

“I’m concerned about my pores. What should I do?”

This is a question we often hear during consultations.

Some people are bothered by tiny black dots on their nose. Others notice enlarged pores on their cheeks or feel that their pores have become more visible with age.

Although these concerns may look similar, the most suitable skincare and treatments depend on what is causing the pores to appear more prominent.

For some people, the main issue is a buildup of sebum and keratin plugs. For others, it is a loss of skin firmness.

That is why cleansing and exfoliation alone are not always enough to improve the appearance of pores.

In this article, we explain the different types of visible pores, their causes, what you can do at home, and the treatments available at a dermatology clinic.

Types of Visible Pores and Their Causes

Pores are openings through which sebum reaches the surface of the skin and from which hairs grow.

How large or noticeable they appear depends on factors such as sebum production, buildup of keratin plugs, and skin elasticity.

Visible pores can be divided into several types according to their underlying causes.

1. Clogged Pores | Buildup of Sebum and Dead Skin Cells

If you notice small white bumps on your nose or chin, or your skin feels rough to the touch, your pores may be clogged with keratin plugs.

These plugs form when sebum mixes with dead skin cells.

They are more likely to develop when the skin produces excess sebum or dead skin cells accumulate around pore openings.

Sometimes a plug looks black at the surface. This may be related to oxidation of its contents or melanin and does not necessarily mean that the skin has not been cleansed properly.

For clogged pores, it is important to remove excess dead skin cells through treatments such as chemical peels and establish a routine that helps prevent new blockages.

However, forcibly squeezing plugs out with your fingers can do more harm than good. It may damage the surrounding skin, cause inflammation, and ultimately make pores look more noticeable.

Removing a plug also does not address why it formed, so the pore may become clogged again.

2. Enlarged Pores | Sebum Production and Skin Elasticity

Enlarged pores appear round and more open than usual.

They tend to be especially noticeable in areas with more active sebum production, such as the nose and inner cheeks.

Excess sebum can contribute to their appearance, but reduced elasticity in the skin surrounding the pores may also play a role.

Some enlarged pores are clogged with keratin plugs, but not all enlarged pores are caused by blockages.

If excess sebum and congestion are the main concerns, appropriate cleansing and chemical peels may help.

If the pores are more noticeable because the skin has lost firmness, treatments such as Potenza Prime may be considered.

3. Sagging Pores | Loss of Skin Firmness

If pores on your cheeks look elongated or teardrop-shaped, they may be what we call sagging pores.

As we age, collagen and elastin in the skin decrease or undergo structural changes, reducing skin firmness and elasticity.

As the tissue supporting the pores becomes weaker, the openings may appear stretched vertically.

Long-term UV exposure, as well as aging, can contribute to the loss of firmness.

For sagging pores, removing keratin plugs alone may not provide sufficient improvement.

Treatments aimed at improving skin firmness are therefore important.

Learn more about the causes and treatments for sagging pores

4. Pigmented Pores | Darkening Around Pore Openings

If the skin around your pores appears brown, melanin pigmentation may be a contributing factor.

UV exposure, friction, and inflammation following acne can increase melanin production and leave pigmentation around pore openings.

However, melanin is not the only reason pores can look dark.

Keratin plugs, hair color, or shadows created by shallow depressions around pores may also make them appear black.

It is therefore important to identify the cause of the discoloration before choosing treatment.

If pigmentation is responsible, options may include sun protection, skincare containing brightening ingredients, and laser treatments.

5. Acne-Related Pores | Blockages, Inflammation, and Acne Scars

When sebum and dead skin cells block pores, whiteheads and blackheads may form.

These are called comedones and are an early form of acne.

If inflammation develops, the lesions may become red, swollen, or filled with pus.

Repeated episodes of severe inflammatory acne can leave depressions or scars that make the pores appear unusually large.

For recurrent whiteheads and blackheads, prescription topical treatments such as adapalene or benzoyl peroxide may help address clogged pores.

If acne has healed but left uneven skin texture or pitted scars, treatments such as Potenza Prime may be recommended to improve the appearance of these irregularities.

Skincare Tips to Make Pores Less Noticeable

The right approach depends on the condition of your skin, but a good starting point is to review your cleansing, moisturizing, and sun-protection habits.

Ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C may also help improve the appearance of pores.

Cleanse Gently, Generally Twice a Day

When you are concerned about blackheads or excess oil, you may feel tempted to wash your face repeatedly.

However, washing too often or using harsh cleansers can strip away the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

As a general guide, cleanse in the morning and evening using a gentle cleanser. If the product is designed to foam, lather it well and avoid rubbing the skin.

Use lukewarm water rather than hot water, which can contribute to dryness.

After cleansing, moisturize with an appropriate lotion, emulsion, or cream rather than relying on a hydrating toner alone.

Avoid Squeezing Pores or Repeatedly Using Pore Strips

Many people have tried squeezing plugs out of their nose or removing them with pore strips.

It can certainly feel satisfying to see the plugs come out.

However, squeezing too forcefully or using pore strips frequently can damage the skin and lead to redness or inflammation.

Persistent inflammation may cause post-inflammatory pigmentation, making dark-looking pores even more noticeable.

Even if a pore strip removes a plug, it does not correct the underlying tendency for new plugs to form.

Instead of repeatedly extracting them, focus on care that helps reduce future blockages.

Make Sun Protection a Daily Habit

UV exposure contributes not only to pigmentation around pores but also to a loss of skin firmness.

Daily sun protection is particularly important if you are concerned about sagging pores on your cheeks.

Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and a PA rating, and apply an adequate, even layer.

Reapply after sweating or wiping your face with a towel.

Consider Adding Retinol to Your Routine

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that influences epidermal cell activity and collagen metabolism.

With continued use, it may help improve skin texture and fine lines. Its strength varies between products, and it is also used in skincare routines for people concerned about visible pores.

At our clinics, we carry professional skincare brands including ZO Skin Health, GAUDISKIN, and Revision Skincare.

Retinol can, however, cause redness, dryness, or peeling when first introduced.

Start with a small amount based on your skin’s condition, and adjust how often you use it if irritation occurs.

It is also important to distinguish cosmetic products containing retinol from prescription medications such as adapalene, which is used to treat acne.

If you repeatedly develop whiteheads or blackheads, medical acne treatment may be necessary in addition to cosmetic skincare.

Avoid retinol during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and consult a doctor before use if you are planning to become pregnant.

Learn more about ZO Skin Health

Learn more about GAUDISKIN

Browse our Revision Skincare products

Consider Vitamin C Skincare

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties and plays a role in collagen production.

It also helps inhibit melanin production and is commonly used in skincare for concerns about pigmentation.

Products containing vitamin C may be particularly useful for people concerned about brown discoloration around their pores.

However, vitamin C alone is unlikely to remove keratin plugs or correct pitted acne scars. Skincare should be chosen according to the underlying cause of the pore concern.

Professional Treatments for Visible Pores

At Houreisen Skin Clinic, we offer chemical peels, Potenza Prime, skin booster injections, laser treatments, and IPL therapy. For patients concerned about pores as well as skin firmness or uneven tone, we may recommend a program combining several treatments.

Each option has a different purpose: chemical peels help address clogged pores, Potenza Prime may improve uneven texture caused by acne scars, and skin booster injections can be considered when sebum production or reduced firmness contributes to visible pores. Laser and IPL treatments may be suitable when pigmentation or redness is also present.

1. Chemical Peels | Keratin Plugs, Congested Pores, and Rough Texture

A chemical peel uses ingredients such as acids to remove excess dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.

When dead skin cells accumulate around pore openings, they can mix with sebum and form plugs.

Chemical peels promote exfoliation and help normalize the buildup of dead skin cells around pores.

They may therefore help improve congestion, dark-looking clogged pores, and rough skin texture.

We offer several types of peels, and their effects and intended uses are not identical.

For concerns involving clogged pores or acne, we often recommend salicylic acid macrogol or glycolic acid peels.

If visible pores are accompanied by a loss of firmness or fine lines, Massage Peel or Milan RePeel may also be considered.

Chemical Peels (Salicylic Acid Macrogol and Glycolic Acid)

Salicylic acid has an affinity for sebum and can help reduce clogged pores and remove excess dead skin cells.

Glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells from the surface and is used to address rough texture and acne.

At Houreisen Skin Clinic, we offer salicylic acid macrogol and glycolic acid peels.

Price: ¥6,600 per session (tax included)

Learn more about salicylic acid macrogol peels

Massage Peel

Massage Peel is a treatment that uses a solution containing trichloroacetic acid (TCA), hydrogen peroxide, kojic acid, and other ingredients.

Rather than simply removing surface dead skin cells, as with conventional chemical peels, it is designed to stimulate the skin and encourage collagen production, with the aim of improving firmness, radiance, fine lines, and the appearance of pores.

It generally causes relatively little peeling, although temporary redness, dryness, or mild flaking may occur.

Price: ¥12,000 per session (tax included)

Learn more about Massage Peel

Milan RePeel

Milan RePeel uses a peeling solution containing several acids, including TCA.

In addition to exfoliating dead skin cells, it may help improve skin firmness and texture.

We recommend considering it for concerns such as clogged pores, roughness, and dull-looking skin.

Peeling is more likely than with Massage Peel, and mild flaking may appear approximately 3–7 days after treatment.

Price: ¥12,000 per session (tax included)

Learn more about Milan RePeel

After a chemical peel, temporary redness, dryness, or stinging may occur. If the skin begins to peel, do not pull it off. Keep the skin moisturized and protect it from UV exposure.

The following article explains the differences between our peel treatments in more detail.

Compare Milan RePeel and Massage Peel

2. Potenza Prime | Enlarged Pores, Sagging Pores, and Acne Scars

Potenza Prime is an option for patients concerned about enlarged pores, sagging pores, or uneven texture caused by acne scars.

It is a skin treatment that combines microneedles with radiofrequency (RF) energy.

Fine needles enter the skin and deliver RF heat, helping stimulate collagen production and skin remodeling.

The treatment is intended to address visible pores, reduced firmness, and uneven acne-scar texture.

Our clinics use the newer Potenza Prime device.

We use VMLS mode for concerns such as enlarged pores and redness, while drug delivery mode is used for issues such as uneven acne-scar texture.

VMLS Mode

VMLS uses microneedling and radiofrequency heat to improve overall skin quality.

We use this mode for concerns including enlarged pores, redness, uneven skin tone, and skin texture.

This mode does not deliver an injectable skin booster; it works through the effects of microneedles and RF energy.

Drug Delivery Mode

Drug delivery mode combines microneedling and RF treatment with the application of a selected skin-boosting preparation.

At our clinics, we use MacCoom and Juvelook.

MacCoom contains PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) as its main ingredient.

It is used to encourage collagen production and is particularly considered for uneven acne scars, pitted scars, and enlarged pores.

Juvelook combines PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid) with non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid.

It may be recommended for patients who want to improve enlarged pores as well as skin firmness, fine lines, and overall texture.

We use one vial of MacCoom or Juvelook per treatment session.

As a general guide, we may recommend around 3–5 sessions at approximately four-week intervals. The number of sessions varies depending on the condition of the pores and the depth of acne scars.

Potenza Prime Prices

Treatment	Regular Price per Session (Tax Included)
VMLS (full face or neck)	¥39,800
Drug Delivery – MacCoom (1 vial)	¥66,000
Drug Delivery – Juvelook (1 vial)	¥77,000

* Prices include anesthesia and a soothing mask. Potenza Prime is available at our Osaka, Tokyo, and Nagoya clinics.

Possible side effects after treatment include redness, stinging, swelling, and bruising.

Learn more about Potenza Prime

Potenza Prime Patient Cases

You can also view examples of patients who have undergone Potenza Prime treatment at our clinics.

Man in His 30s: Potenza Prime + MacCoom

This patient was concerned about redness, rough skin texture, and dark-looking pores.

We show his results one month after a single session of Potenza Prime with MacCoom.

View the case photos: man in his 30s

Woman in Her 50s: Potenza Prime VMLS

This patient was concerned about redness and uneven skin tone on her cheeks, as well as visible pores.

The case shows changes before treatment and one month after a VMLS session.

View the case photos: woman in her 50s

* Results vary between individuals. Please refer to each patient case page for treatment details, costs, and risks.

3. Skin Booster Injections | Enlarged and Sagging Pores, Excess Oil, and Shine

Some people with enlarged pores have excessive sebum production, while others find that dryness or reduced skin firmness makes their pores look more visible. Skin booster injections may be an option for these concerns.

Skin booster treatment involves injecting small amounts of selected preparations into the superficial layers of the skin using very fine needles. We use a device called HYCOOX to deliver multiple small injections across the face. HYCOOX skin booster injections are available at our Osaka and Nagoya clinics.

For patients with excess oil, shine, and noticeably round pores, Skin Botox (micro-Botox) may be considered. Small amounts of a botulinum toxin preparation are injected superficially to help reduce sebum production and make pores appear less noticeable.

For patients concerned about reduced cheek firmness, dryness, fine lines, and visible pores, we offer preparations intended to improve skin hydration and elasticity, including the following:

• Sunekos Performa: Contains non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and amino acids. Used for concerns about reduced firmness and elasticity, fine lines, and visible pores.
• Vitaran / Rejuran: Formulations primarily containing polynucleotides (PN), intended to improve skin texture, firmness, and the appearance of pores.
• Pluryal Densify: Contains PN, non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid, and mannitol. Used when dryness, redness, and reduced firmness are also concerns.
• Cytocare: Combines non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid with amino acids, vitamins, and other ingredients. Used to care for skin affected by dryness or a lack of radiance.

If excessive sebum, dryness, and reduced firmness are contributing to visible pores at the same time, we may combine Skin Botox with a skin booster preparation. However, using more products does not necessarily lead to better results.

Skin booster injections aim to improve overall skin quality. They do not directly remove clogged keratin plugs or fill deep pitted acne scars, so the treatment should be selected based on the cause of your concern.

Prices start from ¥29,800 per session for Cytocare 2.5 cc (tax and anesthesia included) and vary depending on the preparation and treatment combination. Possible side effects include redness, swelling, needle marks, and bruising. Allergic reactions or infections may occur in rare cases.

Learn more about skin booster preparations, benefits, and downtime

View current skin booster prices and combination packages

Learn more about Skin Botox for visible pores

4. Laser Treatments | Pigmentation, Enlarged Pores, and Skin Firmness

Our clinic uses the Tribeam Premium laser system for PTP Toning and Gen Rejuvenation.

Although both use the same device, they differ in how laser energy is delivered and what concerns they are intended to treat.

PTP Toning

PTP Toning is a laser treatment that targets melanin pigment.

It is used to address concerns such as uneven skin tone, melasma, and dullness.

It may also be considered for pigmentation around pores after a consultation to determine the underlying cause.

However, if dark-looking pores are caused by keratin plugs, laser treatment will not directly remove the plugs.

In that case, chemical peels or an appropriate skincare routine may be more suitable.

Gen Rejuvenation

Gen Rejuvenation uses laser heat to stimulate collagen production in the skin.

It may help improve the appearance of enlarged pores, skin firmness, and fine lines.

Unlike Potenza Prime, this procedure does not involve needles, making it an option for people who prefer to avoid needle-based treatments.

However, laser treatment alone may not provide sufficient improvement for deep pitted acne scars or significant skin laxity.

Laser Treatment Prices

Treatment	Regular Price per Session (Tax Included)
PTP Toning	¥8,800
Gen Rejuvenation	¥8,800
PTP Toning + Gen Rejuvenation	¥14,800

* Available at our Osaka clinic only.

Possible side effects include temporary redness, irritation, and pigmentation changes. Excessive repetition of laser toning can sometimes lead to areas of reduced pigmentation (hypopigmentation), so the number of sessions and treatment settings must be chosen carefully.

Learn more about Tribeam Premium

5. IPL (Lumecca) | Pigmentation and Redness Around Pores

If you are concerned about visible pores along with cheek redness, dark spots, or uneven skin tone, Lumecca intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy may be an option.

Lumecca delivers pulses of light absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin in the skin. By addressing pigmentation and redness around pores, it may help the complexion appear more even. The thermal effects of light may also improve skin texture and firmness, making pores appear less noticeable.

However, IPL does not remove clogged keratin plugs. It also has limited effects on deep, pitted acne scars, so another treatment may be more suitable depending on the cause of the concern.

At our clinics, Lumecca is available only at the Tokyo clinic and costs ¥22,000 per full-face session (tax included). Temporary redness, stinging, or darkening of pigmented spots may occur after treatment. IPL may worsen melasma, so we carefully assess the skin before treatment.

Learn more about Lumecca IPL treatment

6. Skin Redesign Program | Pores, Firmness, Dark Spots, and Redness

For patients concerned not only about enlarged pores but also reduced cheek firmness, dark spots, or redness, we offer combination treatments.

Our Skin Redesign Program is a treatment package at the Tokyo clinic combining InMode FORMA, Massage Peel, and Lumecca. FORMA uses radiofrequency energy to support firmness and skin tightening; Massage Peel helps improve texture and radiance; and Lumecca targets pigmentation and redness.

This program may be considered by patients who want to improve the appearance of pores while also addressing overall skin firmness and uneven tone. However, it is not designed to directly correct deep pitted scars. Possible side effects include redness, dryness, and stinging. If melasma is present, we carefully assess whether IPL is appropriate.

View details and patient cases for the Skin Redesign Program

Consult Houreisen Skin Clinic About Your Pore Concerns

Even when pores look enlarged or dark, the most appropriate approach depends on whether the cause is keratin plugs, pigmentation, reduced skin firmness, or a combination of factors.

At Houreisen Skin Clinic, we assess the condition of your skin and recommend care tailored to your concerns, from at-home skincare to in-clinic cosmetic dermatology treatments.

If you are concerned about visible pores, please feel free to book a consultation.

Book a consultation at Houreisen Skin Clinic