Pore size reduction is much harder than it looks. At Cutis we match the size of the pores together with the colour of your skin. Here are just some of the lasers we employ to reduce the size or pores-

• 1927 Thulium Fraxel: Best for skin type 1-2
• 1927 Thulium LaseMD Best for skin type 1-4
• 1927 Diode Clear + Brilliant: Best for skin type 1-4
• CO2 fine spot: Best for skin type 1-4
• Pico Lasers: Best for skin type 1-5
• Nano Spectra Lasers: All skin types
• Ablative erbium laser: Skin type 1-3
• eMatrix RF: All skin types
• Genius RF: All skin types
• Vascular lasers: Skin type 1-4 with associated rosacea

Day 8 after fully ablative laser for pore size reduction. Lasers can make you red for up to 2 months after treatment.

All these methods can reduce pore size, especially fractional lasers such as Fraxel, Clear & Brilliant, & LaseMD.

RF eMarix can remodel collagen using RadioFrequency to reduce pore size by 20-50%. 4-5 treatments are needed, downtime following eMatrix is only 1-2 days.

• Fractional laser such as Fraxel can reduce pore size by up to 60%, however 2-3 treatments are required.
• Fractional Pico lasers are useful in darker skin type
• Fractional eCo2 combined with TCA is best for medium to large enlarged pores
• Contrary to belief, Omnilux Blue / Red light LED does not reduce pore size, however this treatment is useful for treating acne in pregnancy.

Pico lasers are only useful for the management of enlarged pores in darker skin types (Asians, Latinos, Middle Eastern). This is because Pico targets pigment through a mechanism known as photoacoustic treatments. For collagen remodelling laser requires a target to hit, in turn producing growth factors (complex LIOB’s). Dark skin means more target. More target means better collagen tightening, in turn shrinking pores.

I did use Picosure in the past, but I have replaced this first generation laser with third  generation Pico Laser. To see if pico is suitable for your skin type, book an appointment with my laser nurses or myself.

Microneedling can reduce the size of some pores. I do not routinely offer microneedling at Clinic Cutis for a few reasons.

1. This treatment can be performed safely at home with a 0.25 mm needle. You do not need to needle deeply to get a good results. Dermarollers containing 256 or 512 needles can be bought online for around $4 to $8. With careful ‘home use’ these are safe & effective. I have done several instructional videos on @101.skin demonstrating ‘how to microneedle.’
2. Lasers & peels give superior results compared to microneedling. Lasers & devices, including RFM or radiofrequency microneedling generate controlled heating. This heat stimulates more collagen per treatment than devices that do not employ heating.
3. Size matters. When it comes to fine enlarged pores, the use of a device that has a smaller beam or hole profile than a pore gives better & safer results. If you have fine or small diameter enlarged pores find a solution that is smaller than the problem itself. By using larger diameter needles, you may run the risk of making pores worse.

If inappropriate procedure are conducted, pores can enlarge. A classic example is widening of nose pores with TCA (midline lesions). Microneedling or RFM can also enlarge small pores. If you have enlarged ‘small size’ pores I prefer small spot lasers such as 1927 Thulium or short PD CO2 lasers over microneedling, skin needling & even RF microneedling.

Removing enlarged pores forever is harder than it looks. Its because pores are shaped like a flask, and laser has to go below the lowest point of the flask. This is why it takes so long for the healing time (up to 8-12 days).

Yes, once I achieve pore size reduction, it is permanent, at least until one looses the supporting collagen network. This is called ageing. TCA & laser resurfacing gives the most predictable results for open and enlarged pores.

Scars and open pores like these are best treated with TCA & laser.

Yes. If you produce lots of oil, reducing oil production with Vitamin A tablets such as Roaccutane may help reduce sebum (oil), decrease acne, and also may reduce the size of pores. Consult a medical dermatologist regarding this non-procedural method of oil reduction. The use of anti-hormone tablets such as spironolactone & cyproterone acetate may also help females with oily skin and acne.

Disclaimer: I am a procedural dermatologist, for medical management of enlarged pores including prescription creams &/or tablets, please consult a medical dermatologist.

This is what a pore looks like. See how it opens up the deeper you go. For permanent reduction, laser needs to go below the widest opening of the pore.

• TCA cost $490 to $990 per treatment. You will need 2-3 treatments. These are conducted by my clinical team to help keep costs down
• Peels start at $92 (Lactic, glycolic, salicylic & retinoic acid)
• Fractional laser can give a good reduction in pores size. Cost is $790 to $1290. You may require 2 treatments for best results.
• Laser resurfacing starts at $4900. This is performed by myself for the treatment of pathological pores- acne scars that are severe in nature.

Some patients with deep pores will require two to three TCA followed by one deep laser resurfacing procedure. Other patients will require only one fully ablative laser session without the TCA CROSS procedure. Most cases are NOT covered under Medicare, unless pores are associated with severe facial scars. A Medicare rebate only applies to deep ice pick scars.

For an accurate clinical assessment of pores & associated costs, please arrange a consultation with my clinical nurses @cliniccutis