Big pores on the nose and cheeks are one of the most common things patients point at in our mirror. In Chennai, the oil, sweat and sun make them look worse for most of the year. This page explains what we actually do for open pores at VK Allure, what you can do at home, and where treatment has limits.
Last updated: 1 November 2026 · VK Allure Dermaclinic, Kilpauk, ECR-Uthandi & Ambattur, Chennai
Open pores treatment is a set of clinic procedures and home care that make enlarged pores look smaller and the skin smoother. We usually combine oil control, a chemical peel or carbon laser, and collagen work like RF microneedling for stretched pores. Pores can't be closed for good, but they can look clearly finer.
Not for you right now if you have an active skin infection, a flare of cystic acne, are pregnant (for some peels and lasers), or have taken isotretinoin recently. Tell us if you get keloids.
| Session time | About 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the procedure |
|---|---|
| Typical sessions | Often 3 to 6, about 3 to 6 weeks apart [CHECK]; we confirm after seeing your skin |
| Downtime | None for carbon laser and most light peels; 2 to 4 days of redness after RF microneedling [CHECK] |
| When results show | Less oil in days; finer-looking pores over 2 to 3 months |
| Comfort | Mild warmth or prickling; numbing cream before needling |
Mostly oil, heat and sun. Pores are the openings of oil glands. When the glands make more sebum, the openings stretch and fill with oil and dead skin, so they show more. Chennai's humidity keeps the skin shiny almost all year.
Age adds to it. As collagen thins in your 30s, the skin around each pore sags a little and the opening looks wider. Sun damage speeds this up, and a daily commute on a two-wheeler is a lot of sun. Genes matter too; some families simply have bigger pores. Squeezing blackheads and harsh scrubs make things worse, not better.
No. Pores are part of normal skin, and no treatment closes them for good. What we can do is make them look clearly smaller by cutting down oil, clearing the plugs inside, and building collagen around them so the walls look tighter.
The results last as long as you keep up the basics. Stop sunscreen and oil control, and pores slowly return to how they looked. Most patients need a maintenance session every few months [CHECK]. We'd rather tell you that now than have you disappointed later.
It depends on why your pores look big. Oily pores and stretched, scarred pores need different things. In the clinic we usually pick one or two of these after looking at your skin under good light.
A thin layer of carbon is applied and a laser passes over it. You feel a warm snapping on the skin. It reduces oil for a while and clears the surface, so it suits oily, shiny skin before an event. There's no downtime. On its own it won't fix pores stretched by old acne. More on the carbon laser facial and the similar black peel.
Salicylic acid peels go into oily pores and loosen the plugs. They help blackheads and mild acne along with pores. On Indian skin we start gentle and build up slowly, because a strong peel on brown skin can leave dark patches. See chemical peels.
Fine needles deliver radiofrequency heat into the deeper skin to trigger new collagen. This is the one we lean on when pores look large because of old acne or loose skin. Expect redness and some pinpoint marks for a few days [CHECK]. Read about RF microneedling.
Stronger than RF microneedling, with a week or so of healing [CHECK]. We keep it for pores mixed with deeper acne scars, and we're careful with settings on darker skin. Details on the CO2 fractional laser page.
A Hydrafacial cleans pores nicely before a function, but the effect is short. Honestly, it's a good add-on, not the main treatment. [ADD DOCTOR EXAMPLE: which combination you usually advise for oily skin vs acne-scar pores]
Usually 3 to 6. Oily pores often look better after 2 or 3 carbon or peel sessions. Pores stretched by acne scars need more, because collagen builds slowly over months. We space sessions about 3 to 6 weeks apart [CHECK] and review after the third one. If you're not seeing change by then, we change the plan instead of repeating the same thing.
Carbon laser feels like warm flicks on the skin. Peels sting for a few minutes. With RF microneedling, the numbing cream takes most of the edge off; you'll feel heat and some pressure. After carbon laser or a light peel, most people go back to work the same day. After RF microneedling, plan for 2 or 3 days of pink, slightly rough skin [CHECK]. Don't book it the week of a wedding.
Quite a lot, and it matters as much as the clinic sessions. Wash twice a day with a gentle gel cleanser, not five times. Niacinamide and salicylic acid serums help oily pores. A retinoid at night helps over months, though it can sting at first, so start slowly with our advice. Use a light, oil-free sunscreen every day, even in the monsoon.
Skip pore strips, ice cubes, lemon and baking soda. They give a tight feel for an hour and irritate the skin. Don't squeeze blackheads; it stretches the pore and leaves marks on Indian skin.
Yes, a few, and pigmentation is the main one. Strong peels or lasers can leave dark patches on brown skin, especially if you go into the sun soon after. That's why we use gentler settings, prepare the skin first when needed, and insist on sunscreen. Redness, dryness and a few small breakouts after a session are common and settle in days. Infection is rare when aftercare is followed. [CHECK]
Read more: American Academy of Dermatology: how to treat large pores; Facial pores: definition, causes and treatment options (review, 2016).
Want us to look at your pores? Book at our Kilpauk, ECR Uthandi or Ambattur clinic. WhatsApp us or call +91 96009 58060. Not sure which laser suits you? Read our guide to laser treatments, or see acne scar treatment if your pores come with scars.
No. Pores are a normal part of skin and can't be shut for good. Treatment makes them look smaller by reducing oil and building collagen, and the result lasts as long as you keep up sunscreen and oil control.
Usually 3 to 6. Oily pores often improve in 2 or 3 sessions; pores stretched by old acne need more. We review after the third session and change the plan if needed.
It depends on the cause. Carbon laser and salicylic peels suit oily pores. RF microneedling or fractional laser suit pores stretched by acne scars or loose skin. Many patients do best with a mix.
Yes, for oily pores, for a while. It cuts oil and clears the surface with no downtime. It won't do much for pores widened by acne scars on its own.
Yes, it is one of the better options when both are present. It builds collagen around the pores. Expect a few days of redness and results over 2 to 3 months.
No. They give a tight feel for a short time but don't change pore size. Strips can irritate the skin, and squeezing stretches pores further.
Yes. Niacinamide helps with oil, and a retinoid at night helps over months. Start slowly, since retinol can sting at first, and always wear sunscreen with it.
More heat and humidity means more oil. The pores fill up and stretch, so they show more. Oil control and a light sunscreen help a lot in Chennai weather.
Yes, when the settings are right. The main risk is dark patches after strong peels or lasers. We use gentler settings, prepare the skin when needed, and ask you to use sunscreen daily.
Some months, not forever. Oil and age keep working on the skin. Most people keep results with good home care and a maintenance session every few months.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lokeshwari
Dermatology Specialist, lead medical reviewer at VK Allure Dermaclinic. Sees patients for acne, pores, pigmentation and laser care in Chennai. Read more about our dermatologist.
This open pores treatment information is written by our clinical team and medically reviewed by Dr. Lokeshwari, Dermatology Specialist and lead medical reviewer at VK Allure Dermaclinic. Last reviewed: . Read our editorial policy.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general education and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Results vary from person to person. Please consult our dermatologist before starting any procedure.
