Enlarged pores

Enlarged Pores Treatment in Glasgow

At our Glasgow clinic, enlarged pores are one of the most common skin concerns we treat. The right approach depends on the condition of your skin overall: where pores are the main issue, light-based treatment can gradually refine the complexion, while where they sit alongside uneven texture or pigmentation, laser resurfacing can address several concerns at once. 

Enlarged Pores Treatment in Glasgow

At our Glasgow clinic, enlarged pores are one of the most common skin concerns we treat. The right approach depends on the condition of your skin overall: where pores are the main issue, light-based treatment can gradually refine the complexion, while where they sit alongside uneven texture or pigmentation, laser resurfacing can address several concerns at once. 

Woman looking off into the distance

Enlarged Pores Treatment Overview

Pores are the small openings that release the oil keeping skin hydrated, and everyone has them. They become more visible when their walls stretch, which happens with age, sun exposure, excess oil and the after-effects of acne. Because a pore cannot physically be shrunk, effective treatment is not about closing anything. It is about improving the quality and firmness of the surrounding skin, so the openings are less pronounced and the skin looks smoother and more even.

Close-up of woman's face highlighting smooth skin texture and facial contours

Choosing Enlarged Pores Treatment

The right treatment depends on whether pores are your only concern or part of a wider picture. Where the skin is otherwise in good condition, a course of light-based treatment refines the surface gradually with minimal interruption. Where enlarged pores sit alongside texture, pigmentation or sun damage, fractional laser resurfacing addresses several of those at once. An assessment allows us to decide which approach is most appropriate for your skin. 

Clinician examining patient’s chin and jawline during aesthetic consultation

Non-surgical Enlarged Pores Treatments vs. Other Treatments

There is no surgical treatment for enlarged pores, and nothing that closes them. The treatments we use work by improving the quality of the surrounding skin and differ mainly in the depth and intensity of treatment. Broadband light improves tone and clarity across a course, typically with no downtime. Fractional laser resurfaces the skin itself for a more pronounced change in texture, in exchange for a few days of recovery. The choice is about matching the depth of treatment to how much change your skin needs.

Black and white portrait of a woman with arms raised, highlighting toned upper arms and smooth skin

Enlarged Pores Related Concerns We Address

Enlarged pores are often seen alongside other changes in skin quality, including:

Because the treatments we use to improve the appearance of pores can also address some of these concerns, we assess the skin as a whole rather than focusing on pore size in isolation.

Our Enlarged Pores Treatments

We treat the appearance of enlarged pores by improving the skin around them, using light and laser resurfacing matched to how much change your skin needs. The options below range from gentler treatments with minimal interruption to fractional laser resurfacing.

BBL® Treatment

Suited to skin that is in good condition overall, where refining tone and clarity is the goal. This broadband light treatment improves the complexion, typically with no downtime, helping the skin look clearer and more refined over a course of treatments.

Pores can be improved by a course of BBL treatment, although when they are especially bothersome and combined with other texture issues we often recommend fractional skin resurfacing using the Halo laser. As well as reducing the appearance of pores, the Halo laser improves the overall quality of the skin, refining the complexion to make it clearer and brighter.

Halo Laser Treatment

Best where enlarged pores sit alongside texture, sun damage or pigmentation. This fractional laser resurfaces the skin to improve several concerns in one treatment, leaving it clearer and brighter, with a few days of recovery.

In Action

See how this restoration was achieved.

Treatment Options

A tailored approach to your treatment

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and the results you are looking to achieve.

BBL® treatment

HALO Laser Treatment

Are you ready to start your consultation?

Finding the right treatment for you is the most important factor in ensuring that you are on the correct path to achieve the results you desire. Our pre-consultation enquiry helps us to identify your needs and, ultimately, gets you on the right path to achieving your optimal results.

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Patient Reviews

Hear from our patients about their experience at McKeown Medical.

More about Enlarged pores

More about Enlarged Pores

Before, During, and After Enlarged Pores Treatments

These are non-surgical skin treatments, so what follows is relatively straightforward. Recovery varies depending on the treatment you have, with BBL requiring very little interruption and HALO needing a few days for the skin to settle.

What To Expect Before Enlarged Pores Treatments

Every treatment begins with a skin assessment. We look at the condition of your skin overall, what is making the pores more visible, and whether other concerns such as texture or pigmentation are present. That determines which treatment, and how many sessions we recommend.

What To Expect During Enlarged Pores Treatments

Comfort is planned for. Cold air cools the skin throughout to offset the heat of the laser, and numbing cream is applied before Halo treatment for added comfort. Each session is delivered in the clinic, and you will know what is happening at each stage.

What To Expect After Enlarged Pores Treatments

Recovery depends on the treatment. Broadband light usually leaves the skin red for a few hours only, with most patients back to normal the same day. Following HALO laser treatment, you will typically need around five days for redness and swelling to settle, during which you can still work from home.

Common Questions

What are the benefits?

Our bespoke laser treatments enable us to rejuvenate the skin, while stimulating new collagen and refining the complexion. While it is impossible to physically shrink the pores, a course of treatment can help to minimise their appearance.

Which anaesthetic is used?

We use cold air to cool the skin and provide a comforting sensation during laser procedures, distracting from any heat generated as a by-product of the treatment. When we use the Halo laser, we also use some numbing cream for additional comfort.

What's the downtime?

When we use BBL on it’s own, there is typically no downtime. The skin is usually red for the first few hours although most patients are back to normal after that. Occasionally patients may experience some swelling after BBL, although that is uncommon. Following Halo laser you typically need around five days of downtime to allow the redness and swelling to settle. You can still work during this period, for example if you are able to work from home, but you will not want to attend social events or face-to-face meetings in this period.

When will I see results?

You should notice improvement after each treatment session, although best results will be visible after completion of the course of treatment. We recommend patients maintain their results with a single maintenance session every six months.

What causes enlarged pores?

Pores become more visible when their walls stretch and lose firmness. The usual causes are ageing, sun exposure, naturally oily skin and the after-effects of acne. Genetics also play a part, since skin type influences pore size from the outset.

 

Does squeezing or extracting pores help?

Squeezing the skin is unlikely to make enlarged pores less visible and can sometimes cause irritation or inflammation. If congestion is contributing to the appearance of the skin, we would assess that separately and recommend the most appropriate skincare or treatment rather than repeatedly extracting the area.

 

Can you permanently shrink enlarged pores?

No. A pore cannot physically be closed or permanently shrunk. What treatment can do is improve the quality and firmness of the surrounding skin, making enlarged pores less noticeable and the complexion appear smoother and more refined. Maintenance treatments can then help preserve the overall improvement in skin quality.

 

What is the best treatment for enlarged pores?

There is no single answer, because it depends on your skin. Where pores are the only concern, broadband light refines the surface gently. Where they sit alongside texture or pigmentation, fractional laser resurfacing addresses more at once. Your assessment will point to the right one.

 

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on the treatment and the condition of your skin. Light-based treatments are typically delivered as a course, with improvement building after each session. We will set out how many are likely to be needed and what to expect at each stage.

 

Your Expert Team

Dr. Darren McKeown

Founder & Medical Director

Dr Darren McKeown

Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.

Dr Rhona Cameron

Medical Director, Women's Health

Dr Rhona Cameron

Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.

 

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