Recommended Treatments and How to Choose for Pore Reduction (Potenza/Juvelook/Rejuran/Retuo/Fraxel Laser/Peeling)

Hello. I am Dr. Jo Won-jin, and I have been providing dermatologic care in Hongdae, Hapjeong for 10 years.

I’ve tried everything because of my pores,

but I don’t feel like they’re shrinking.

My friend said Fraxel laser worked for them,

but isn’t that bad for you?

There are three major reasons pores become enlarged: excess sebum, decreased elasticity, and accumulated dead skin cells.

The treatment you need differs depending on the cause,

and Fraxel laser can also be used safely and effectively depending on how it is performed.

Today, I will organize the features and recommended uses, along with practical tips, for six pore-reduction treatments:

(Potenza/Juvelook/Rejuran/Retuo/Fraxel laser/peeling)

and also explain how to choose the one that fits your skin.

Table of contents

• Why pores become enlarged

• Potenza

• Juvelook

• Rejuran

• Retuo

• Fraxel laser

• Peeling

• Summary of how to choose a successful pore-reduction treatment

1. Why pores become enlarged

Pores are openings for hair follicles and pathways through which sebum and sweat are released.

There are three main reasons why these pathways appear enlarged.

First, the passage physically expands due to excessive sebum production. Second, the surrounding skin sags because of reduced elasticity, making the pores more noticeable. Third, the pores become hyperkeratinized.

If the cause is reduced elasticity but you only keep managing sebum?

You miss the underlying cause, so the results won’t feel meaningful.

That is why, before choosing a treatment, your pore type must be properly diagnosed.

2. Potenza

Potenza is a treatment that combines microneedles and radiofrequency (RF).

Tiny needles penetrate the skin, and heat energy is delivered from their tips at the same time.

The photo above shows Potenza’s fine needles penetrating the skin and delivering heat energy.

Because of this, collagen regeneration in the dermis and partial reduction of the sebaceous glands can occur at the same time.

It tends to respond well in overall enlarged pores and pores caused by reduced elasticity.

When people talk about pore treatments, Potenza is usually the first one mentioned, so it must be effective enough for this kind of discussion to come up.

“I didn’t see any effect from Potenza.”

In many such cases, the treatment was likely done as Potenza alone.

Potenza is less about its standalone effect and more about being a device that helps medicinal ingredients that regenerate the skin

be delivered effectively, which creates strong synergy.

So, if you introduce ingredients such as Juvelook or exosomes,

and also apply radiofrequency stimulation together,

you can understand it as helping regeneration work better.

Looking at the photo above, there are larger acne scars mixed in, but even after just one session, you can see that the smaller pores have improved significantly.

3. Juvelook

Juvelook is a PDLA collagen booster.

When Juvelook is placed into the skin,

it stimulates your own collagen to grow over time.

The photo above shows Juvelook; in the case discussed in this post, it refers to Juvelook Skin on the left.

In particular, for people whose pores have stretched vertically because collagen has decreased,

rebuilding collagen makes the pores tighten up more.

It is an approach that increases the overall volume and elasticity of the skin, making pores less noticeable.

It is a good fit for people with clearly reduced elasticity.

But the number one concern people have when getting Juvelook is nodules, right?

I have written below about how to prevent nodules, based on methods refined through treating 30,000 vials.

4. Rejuran

“Isn’t Rejuran something you get when your skin is dry?”

You might think that, but Rejuran is also a medicine that is injected into the dermis to help regenerate the skin and promote collagen formation.

If you look at the photo below, you can see that the pores appear smaller and less prominent.

As shown in the photo above, Rejuran also helps smooth the skin surface.

It does not directly target pores themselves, but as skin texture and elasticity improve, pores become less noticeable.

It is especially suitable for sensitive or thin skin.

Rejuran may not be effective if you simply get it without the right approach.

If you read the article below, you will understand why.

5. Retuo

Retuo is a skin booster based on ECM (extracellular matrix) components.

Our skin maintains its structure through a dense network of fibers such as collagen and elastin.

Retuo supplies the very components that make up the skin, such as collagen and elastin.

So the idea is that it strengthens elasticity and thereby helps reduce the appearance of pores.

6. Fraxel laser

If the treatment is performed with an appropriate energy level while allowing enough time between sessions for skin recovery, it is very effective for hyperkeratinized pores.

However, as I keep saying, it should not be overdone,

and it should only be done carefully and lightly when needed, depending on the type.

7. Peeling

Peeling is a treatment that removes dead skin cells and old sebum to tidy up the pore openings.

There are different types of peeling suited to different skin types, such as Aqua Peel and Lala Peel.

The photo above shows Lala Peel in progress.

For people whose pores keep enlarging because of excessive sebum, applying a sebaceous gland laser can help.

As sebum secretion decreases, the pores can naturally become smaller as well.

In addition, there are approaches such as removing the dark hairs that make pores stand out more,

(which makes the skin look much cleaner and smoother)

and, for large scar-like pores, using a technique called subcision to cut the tethering tissue underneath,

(more details are written in the article below)

There are also methods such as radiofrequency tightening (Thermage, Sylfirm, etc.) to stimulate collagen production.

Pore-reduction treatments vary so much from case to case.

However, since even deciding on a single treatment takes a lot of energy (time and cost),

proper diagnosis and treatment skills need to be in place as well.

I always try to write with your concerns in mind, thinking about what people may find difficult and what decisions may be hard to make.

Since today’s post condenses the key information, save it and refer back to it when you decide to get treatment.

I’ve written below about how to choose a good dermatology clinic, so I hope that helps.

8. Summary of how to choose a successful pore-reduction treatment

To summarize today’s content:

• Reduced elasticity type → Potenza + Juvelook combination

• Skin texture, regeneration, and matrix support → Rejuran and Retuo are effective

• Excess sebum and blackheads → Sebaceous gland laser

• Dead skin cells and surface refinement → Peeling, Fraxel laser

If you repeat treatments without diagnosing the cause, the cost can add up while the results remain hard to feel.

It is not too late to first get your skin type properly checked and then decide on a treatment.

Thank you. This was Jo Won-jin.