How to Get Rid of Large Pores: What Actually Works

Written by Nancy Siphonexay-Vadnais, Lead Esthetician. Reviewed by Dr. Keith Chapman, DDS, Owner. Last updated: October 2026.

You cannot close or permanently erase a pore, but you can make large pores look noticeably smaller. The approaches that actually work do two things: they keep pores clear of oil and debris, and they firm the skin around each opening so it holds its shape. Daily cleansing, a retinoid and sunscreen handle the first part at home. Collagen-building treatments such as radiofrequency microneedling handle the second.

Each pore is the opening of a hair follicle connected to an oil gland. When oil builds up, or the skin around the opening loses firmness, the pore stretches and catches the light. Here in Franklin, TN, we see clients of every age frustrated by visible pores on the nose, cheeks and forehead. Both causes respond to the right care, and this guide covers what helps, what does not, and when a professional treatment makes sense.

What Causes Enlarged Pores?

Most large pores causes fall into four groups, and many people have more than one at work. A dermatology review of facial pore causes and treatments lists high oil output, reduced skin elasticity around the follicle and increased hair follicle size as the main drivers.

Oil production

Oily skin is the most common reason pores look big. When the oil glands are very active, sebum mixes with dead skin cells and fills the opening. A filled pore looks wider and darker, especially across the T-zone. Heat and humidity push oil output higher, so pores often look worse in a Tennessee summer.

Age and loss of firmness

Collagen and elastin act like a supportive ring around each pore. As we age, the body makes less of both, and the skin around the opening relaxes. A pore that looked tight at 25 can look oval or stretched at 45 even with the same oil level. This is the same loss of support that shows up as skin tightening in Franklin, TN concerns along the cheeks and jaw.

Sun damage

Years of ultraviolet exposure break down collagen faster than the skin can replace it. Sun-damaged skin also thickens on the surface, which makes texture look rougher and pores more obvious. Cumulative sun exposure is one of the few pore causes you can actually control.

Genetics

Some people simply inherit larger follicles and more active oil glands. You cannot change your genes, but you can change how much oil sits in each pore and how firm the surrounding skin stays.

At-Home Habits That Help

If you want to know how to minimize pores without a clinic visit, start with consistency rather than new products. Three habits do most of the work.

Gentle, twice-daily cleansing

Wash your face in the morning and at night with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water. For oily skin, a cleanser with salicylic acid can reach inside the pore and loosen buildup. Harsh scrubbing does the opposite of what you want: it irritates the skin and can trigger more oil. The American Academy of Dermatology offers practical dermatology guidance on oily skin and clogged pores, including choosing products labeled non-comedogenic or oil-free.

A nightly retinoid

Retinoids speed up cell turnover so dead skin does not collect in the pore, and over months they support collagen. Over-the-counter retinol is a good starting point. Begin two or three nights a week, use a pea-sized amount, and build up slowly to avoid dryness and flaking. Skip retinoids if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen

Sunscreen protects the collagen that keeps pores looking tight. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, including cloudy days, and look for a lightweight or gel formula if your skin is oily. The AAD explains how to select a sunscreen that suits your skin type.

Also remove makeup fully before bed, and try a weekly clay mask if your skin is very oily.

What Does Not Work: Common Pore Myths

A lot of pore advice sounds convincing but does little.

• Hot water opens pores and cold water closes them. Pores do not have muscles, so temperature cannot open or shut them. Cold water may briefly reduce redness, but the pore size stays the same.
• Pore strips shrink pores. Strips pull out the top of a clog and some fine hairs. The pore refills within days, and frequent use can irritate the skin.
• Squeezing clears pores for good. Pressing on the skin can stretch the opening, push debris deeper and leave marks or scars.
• Toners permanently tighten pores. Astringent toners can make skin feel tight for an hour. They do not change the structure of the pore, and alcohol-heavy formulas can dry and irritate.

Professional Options: RF Microneedling and Skin Resurfacing

When home care keeps pores clear but they still look large, the issue is usually the support around them. That is where in-office treatments come in. A review of treatment options for facial pores found that energy-based and collagen-building treatments tend to give more visible improvement than topical products alone.

RF microneedling

RF microneedling is the treatment we reach for most often for pores. At Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness we use Exion Fractional RF on the FDA-cleared BTL Exion platform. Fine, sterile needles deliver radiofrequency heat into the dermis, which prompts the skin to produce new collagen and elastin around each pore. The result is smoother texture and pores that look tighter and less noticeable. A clinical study on RF microneedling also looked at skin barrier function after treatment and supports its use as a well-tolerated option.

Most clients plan on a series of three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Sessions take about 30 to 45 minutes after numbing cream, and you can expect one to two days of redness. Many people notice smoother skin within one to two weeks, with fuller changes building over two to three months as collagen forms. You can read more about RF microneedling in Franklin, TN, including what a visit looks like and how to prepare.

Needle-free firming

If you prefer to avoid needles or cannot take a day of redness, Exion Face with radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound is a needle-free option focused on firmness and hydration. It boosts the skin’s own hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin with no downtime. For pore texture, RF microneedling is usually the stronger choice.

Resurfacing for tone and texture

Traditional resurfacing, such as lasers and chemical peels, can also refine pores. We do not offer those treatments. Instead, when uneven tone, sun spots or old acne marks make pores look worse, we may pair RF microneedling with Exion Clear for pigmentation and acne scars. Exion Clear treats red and brown pigmentation and acne scars. It is not a treatment for active acne.

How to Choose the Right Treatment for Your Skin

The best plan depends on why your pores look large. A few questions help sort it out:

• Are your pores filled or stretched? Pores that look dark or clogged usually respond to better cleansing and a retinoid first. Pores that look empty but wide point to lost firmness, which responds to collagen-building treatment.
• How much downtime can you take? RF microneedling means a day or two of redness. Needle-free options have none.
• Are you pregnant, or do you have a pacemaker or metal implants in the face? These can rule out some treatments, so share your health history at consultation.

An in-person skin assessment is the fastest way to answer these questions. Nancy looks at your pores, oil level, texture and firmness, then builds a plan around your goals. You can explore all of our facial rejuvenation at Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness to see how treatments fit together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of large pores?

You cannot remove pores, but you can make them look much smaller. Keep them clear with gentle twice-daily cleansing, a nightly retinoid and daily sunscreen. If pores still look large, collagen-building treatments like RF microneedling firm the skin around each opening so pores appear tighter and less visible over a few months.

What causes enlarged pores?

Enlarged pores usually come from high oil production, loss of collagen and elasticity with age, cumulative sun damage and genetics. Oil and debris stretch the opening from the inside, while weaker supporting skin lets the pore sag from the outside. Most people have a mix of these factors, which is why combining home care with treatment works best.

Can you shrink pores permanently?

Pores cannot be shrunk permanently because they are part of your skin’s structure. You can make them look smaller for a long time by keeping them clear and rebuilding collagen around them. Results from professional treatment last longest when you keep up sunscreen, a retinoid and occasional maintenance sessions as your skin continues to age.

Does microneedling help with large pores?

Yes, microneedling can help large pores look smaller, and adding radiofrequency energy makes it more effective. RF microneedling delivers heat into the deeper skin layer, which prompts new collagen around each pore. Most clients complete a series of three to four sessions and see gradual improvement in texture and pore appearance over two to three months.

Do pore strips work?

Pore strips remove the top of a clog for a short time, but they do not shrink pores. The pore usually refills within a few days. Frequent use can irritate the skin and remove fine protective hairs. A salicylic acid cleanser and a weekly clay mask are gentler ways to keep pores clear.

How long do results last?

Results from a series of RF microneedling sessions can last up to a year or more, depending on your age, skin type and habits. Collagen keeps building for a few months after the last session. Daily sunscreen, a retinoid and a maintenance session once or twice a year help you keep pores looking refined.

Book a Skin Consultation in Franklin, TN

If you are ready to see what professional care can do for your pores, book a consultation with Nancy at Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness. We will look at your skin, talk through your goals and recommend a plan that fits your schedule. Pricing is personalized and quoted at your visit. Call (615) 628-7419 or reach us through our contact page. We are at 1111 Battlewood St, Ste 3, Franklin, TN 37069, open Tuesday and Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

This article is educational and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an in-person skin assessment. Individual results vary.

References

1. Lee et al., Dermatol Surg. (2016). Facial Pores: Definition, Causes, and Treatment Options. PMID: 26918966.
2. Dong et al., Cutis. (2016). Enlarged facial pores: an update on treatments. PMID: 27529707.
3. Parvar et al., J Cosmet Dermatol. (2023). "The efficacy and adverse effects of treatment options for facial pores: A review article". PMID: 36440737.
4. Wu et al., Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). (2022). Can Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency System Treatment Impair the Skin Barrier Function in Chinese Patients? A Prospective Clinical Trial. PMID: 36129670.
5. Waldorf et al., J Drugs Dermatol. (2025). Pin-Based Fractional Radiofrequency: 2024 International Consensus Recommendations for Aesthetic Skin Indications. PMID: 40773612.