What Exactly Is Injected in a Pore Injection Treatment?

Hello.

I’m Ha-won Kim from Beauty’s Doctor.

When you look closely in the mirror,

the pores on your cheeks or beside your nose may look especially enlarged,

which can be bothersome.

When you search for solutions,

you often come across the term “pore injection.”

The name may make it sound like a single type of treatment,

but in practice, its meaning can vary somewhat from one clinic to another.

Some clinics use the term to refer to the superficial injection of toxin,

while others also include skin booster treatments

under the term “pore injection.”

So rather than simply hearing that “one pore injection treatment will make your skin smooth,”

it is important to first check what is actually being injected.

The Treatments Included Under the Name “Pore Injection”

Pore injection treatments can broadly be divided into two categories.

One involves injecting toxin very superficially

into the dermis in multiple small doses.

This is also commonly called skin Botox.

Rather than injecting a large amount into one area like conventional Botox,

the product is diluted and injected superficially across multiple points.

This approach is often considered in connection with sebum production, superficial skin texture, and redness,

rather than pore size alone.

The other category involves injecting skin booster products

into the dermis.

Products with different ingredients and purposes, such as PN, PDLLA + HA, and HA + glycerol,

fall into this category.

Products such as Rejuran, Juvelook, and Belotero Revive

may be included in this group.

Even when they are all called pore injection treatments,

the treatment approach can differ depending on whether the product is a toxin or a skin booster.

The Categories We Offer at Our Clinic

At Beauty’s Doctor, the pore injection treatments we offer

can broadly be divided into toxin-based and skin booster-based treatments.

For toxin-based treatments, we use Xeomin.

Xeomin is known as a purified type A botulinum toxin formulation

from which complexing proteins have been removed.

However, superficial microinjection into the dermis

is a separate application from the approved indications of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety,

which include glabellar, crow’s-feet, and forehead wrinkles.

In other words, it should not be understood to mean that

the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved a pore treatment.

For skin boosters,

we consider different products depending on the treatment area and purpose.

Rejuran is a PN-based product,

Juvelook is a product containing both PDLLA and HA,

and Belotero Revive can be considered a moisturizing skin booster

containing HA and glycerol.

The choice may differ depending on whether the goal is to stimulate skin texture,

or to address hydration and skin texture together.

What We Assess First During a Consultation

The first thing we assess in the consultation room

is “what is causing the pores currently visible?”

We check whether the skin texture is associated with high sebum production,

whether the pores have become enlarged due to reduced elasticity,

or whether they look more prominent because of dead skin cells or buildup.

We also check whether redness or acne is present as well.

Even if the concern appears to be simply enlarged pores,

the approach may differ if skin irritation, rosacea, or acne is also involved.

If these factors are not distinguished first,

it is difficult to determine whether toxin microinjections are appropriate,

whether a skin booster would be more suitable,

or whether cleansing and daily-care measures should come first.

Factors That Vary from Person to Person

The course of pore injection treatment can vary from person to person.

If your skin is thin and sensitive,

the same injection method may feel more irritating.

Accumulated sun exposure, lack of sleep, eating habits, stress,

and hormonal changes can also affect sebum production and pores.

If you have previously undergone peeling, laser treatment, or microinjection procedures,

your skin’s recovery status and the interval since those treatments must also be considered.

Therefore, even when the same product is injected the same number of times,

everyone will not follow the same course.

Toxin-based treatments are temporary, as their effects wear off over time,

while skin booster treatments are also often administered

in multiple sessions spaced over time.

Determining Whether Treatment Is Necessary After a Consultation

Although they are grouped under the single name “pore injection,”

the ingredients, injection depth, and number of sessions

can all vary.

Among those who come in for a pore consultation,

there are also cases where, after an examination,

we advise that cleansing, sun protection,

and oil control should come before treatment.

At Beauty’s Doctors, we first assess the current condition of your pores, sebum, and skin texture through a consultation.

If treatment is needed,

we then explain whether a toxin-based treatment or a skin booster-based treatment is more appropriate,

as well as the interval at which it should be performed.

Because skin conditions vary from person to person,

no particular treatment is necessary for everyone.

If your pores are bothering you,

it is best to first determine whether the cause is sebum,

reduced elasticity,

or a combination of dead skin cells and skin irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will one pore injection treatment make my pores smaller?

It is difficult to view this as something that can be resolved in a single session.

The effects of toxin-based treatments wear off over time,

and skin booster treatments are also sometimes administered

over multiple sessions.

Q. Are skin Botox and pore injections the same treatment?

The terms are used differently depending on the clinic.

Some clinics call toxin microinjections pore injections,

while others use the term to include skin boosters as well.

Therefore, the most accurate approach is to confirm during the consultation

which ingredients will actually be injected.

Q. Wouldn’t proper skin care alone be enough?

Cleansing, sun protection, and oil control

are important basic measures.

However, when sebum production, enlarged pores,

and skin irritation are combined,

the extent to which cosmetics alone can help may be limited.

If the issue does not become clear,

it is a good idea to have the contributing factors assessed through a consultation.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

This was Ha-won Kim.