SeoulSkin Guides · Pores
Korean skin doctors are famously good at explaining pores. Most of it is in Korean. We went through 9 doctors' videos and wrote down what they agree on, and what you can actually get in New York.
You might expect a list of lasers. The most common advice was the opposite. Seven of the nine doctors covered at-home care, and several said to start there. One video is literally titled “Please don't start with a procedure.”
They also agreed on one honest point: pores never disappear completely. They can look much smaller. Anyone promising “poreless” is overselling.
Real questions from our clients, and our answers.
Squeezing your pores
Even trained aestheticians struggle to clear a pore without damaging the skin around it. That damage is what makes pores look bigger.
Pore strips
They pull the plug out and irritate the skin around the pore at the same time.
Hot water, then cold water
It does not shrink pores. It just stresses the skin.
Cleansing oil on oily skin
Watching the plugs melt feels satisfying, but on oily skin it can clog pores and trigger more oil.
Paying for "pore-minimising" cosmetics
Most only tighten the skin for a day. The one topical with real evidence is a prescription retinoid.
Every doctor started the same way: work out why your pores look big, then pick a treatment. Most people have more than one type.
Shiny T-zone, blackheads, round open pores. Most common in your 20s and 30s.
Get the oil under control first. One doctor put it simply: laser a pore while oil is still pouring through it and it will not hold.
Oval or teardrop-shaped pores on the cheeks that start to line up into fine lines. Usually from your late 30s.
These come from lost firmness, not oil. Rebuild collagen. One doctor said he does not use skin botox for this group, because it can dry the skin too much and make expressions look stiff.
Acne scars and an uneven surface that makeup sits in.
Remodel the skin directly. Expect several sessions and a few days of redness each time.
Blackheads, visible hairs, a rough feel on the nose and chin.
Keep them clear gently. Squeezing and pore strips damage the skin around the pore and make it look bigger.
How many of the nine doctors brought up each option in their pore videos.
Captions were generated automatically and often misspell treatment names, so these counts are minimums.
Korean clinics use products and devices that are not approved here. This is the part most Korean videos can't tell you.
| Treatment | In New York | At SeoulSkin |
|---|---|---|
| Skin botox | Available | Yes, $300 full face |
| RF microneedling (Potenza and similar) | Available | Not offered |
| Isotretinoin | Prescription only, through a dermatologist | Not offered |
| Thermage | Available | Not offered |
| Ultherapy | Available | Yes, from $490 |
| Rejuran | Not FDA-approved as an injection. Offered with microneedling | Yes, with microneedling, from $290 |
| Juvelook | Not FDA-approved | Not offered |
Three of the most-followed channels we reviewed. The videos are in Korean. Turn on captions and choose auto-translate to English.
Dr. Lee Sang-wook 동네 의사 이상욱 · 772K subscribers
Pores never disappear completely. Bring the oil down first, then protect firmness with moisturiser and sunscreen. Most "pore-minimising" cosmetics only tighten for a day.
Dr. Park Kyung-yeol 박경열의 피부상담소 · 339K subscribers
Diluted botox placed shallowly across the whole face cuts oil, tightens pores and can calm redness. It is a different technique from wrinkle botox.
Dr. Sung Hyun-chul 피부는 성현철 · 243K subscribers
Start at home: a short, gentle cleanse, BHA, retinol and sunscreen. In the clinic, RF microneedling is the most direct fix. Skin boosters suit people who want to avoid needles and downtime.
This page summarises public videos. It is not medical advice, and none of these doctors is affiliated with or endorses SeoulSkin.
Skin botox is where we would start. $300 for the full face. Your provider checks your pore type at your visit before anything is done.
Not sure which type you are? Text us at (929) 713-0059