Skin concern
Large pores
Enlarged pores across the nose, cheeks and forehead, congestion you can never quite scrub away, and a rough texture that catches the light.
- 3Key causes
- 4Matched treatments
- 7UK clinics
The condition
What is actually happening with large pores
Pore size is largely genetic, you cannot permanently shrink the structural opening of a pore. What you can change is how visible the pore appears: by clearing the oil, dead skin and debris that stretches it open, by stimulating the collagen scaffold around it, and by refining the surface texture of the surrounding skin so light catches more evenly.
Pores look larger when they are filled with congestion (blackheads, sebaceous plugs), when the surrounding collagen has weakened with age or sun damage, and when the skin is oily enough to constantly refill them after cleansing. Each of those drivers needs a different treatment.
At CoLaz we treat large pores in two phases. The first session usually focuses on clearance, extracting congestion and resurfacing the upper layers. The course then builds longer-term refinement through collagen stimulation and consistent home care.
- 01
Excess oil
Active oil glands stretch the pore opening from the inside, so oilier skin tends to show larger pores.
- 02
Trapped debris
Oil, dead cells and everyday grime collect in the pore and hold it open, making it look darker and wider.
- 03
Loss of firmness
As the supporting collagen around the pore declines with age and sun, the opening slackens and appears more pronounced.
Matched to this concern
Treatments we would consider for large pores
No single treatment suits everyone. Your clinician pairs the right one to your skin type, how severe it is and where it appears.
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01 · Deep cleanse Hydrafacial A six-step in-clinic facial that cleanses, exfoliates and extracts congestion from the pores with a gentle vacuum, then infuses bespoke serums to refine and hydrate. The pore appearance is visibly cleaner within an hour, with no downtime. Best for: blackheads, congestion, oily skin, T-zone refinement From £99 View treatment -
02 · Surface resurfacing Chemical Skin Peels Salicylic-acid peels are oil-soluble, they penetrate inside the pore and clear the trapped sebum that fuels new congestion. A course of three to six light-medium peels delivers visibly refined pores and a smoother surface. Best for: oily skin, blackheads, congested T-zone, mild scarring From £99 View treatment -
03 · Collagen stimulation Dermapen Microneedling Dermapen microneedling triggers controlled collagen and elastin remodelling around each pore, tightening the surrounding skin so the pore opening appears smaller. A course of four to six sessions four weeks apart delivers visible refinement. Best for: enlarged pores from sun damage, mature skin, overall texture From £149 View treatment -
04 · Oil control LED Light Therapy Blue LED light suppresses the bacteria that drive inflammatory congestion; red LED calms the surrounding skin. A painless, no-downtime course of six to ten sessions reduces breakouts and the congestion that stretches pores open. Best for: oily skin, mild inflammatory acne with congestion, sensitive skin From £55 View treatment
How we approach it
Clear the congestion, then refine the structure.
- Phase 1
Clear and resurface
The first session is usually a Hydrafacial or a salicylic-acid peel to clear congested pores, extract blackheads and resurface the upper layers. Most patients see immediate visible refinement within an hour, with pores looking cleaner and the surface smoother.
- Phase 2
Build longer-term refinement
Once the surface is cleared, the course builds longer-term refinement through Dermapen microneedling for collagen stimulation, and ongoing salicylic peels to control oil and prevent new congestion. Maintenance sessions every six to eight weeks plus a barrier-supporting home routine hold the result.
At home
What you can do alongside your plan
- Use a salicylic-acid cleanser two to three times a week, oil-soluble exfoliation penetrates into the pore
- Add a topical retinoid (start at the lowest strength), proven to refine pores by speeding cell turnover
- Avoid heavy occlusive moisturisers and oils on the T-zone, they trap sebum and worsen congestion
- Use a non-comedogenic SPF 50 daily, sun damage weakens collagen around pores, making them appear larger over time
- Avoid pore strips and DIY extraction, both stretch the pore opening further and damage surrounding skin
You cannot shrink the structural opening of a pore, but you can make it look dramatically smaller by clearing what is filling it and tightening the skin around it. The fix is structural, not topical.
Common questions
About large pores treatment
Something else? Message your nearest clinic and a clinician will answer.
Can large pores be permanently shrunk?
The structural opening of a pore is largely genetic and cannot be permanently changed. What in-clinic treatment does is reduce the *appearance* of pore size, by clearing the congestion that fills the pore, by stimulating collagen around the opening so the surrounding skin tightens, and by refining surface texture so light catches more evenly. With a structured course most patients see a dramatic visible reduction in pore appearance, even though the underlying structure is the same.
Which treatment is best for my pores?
It depends on the underlying driver. Oily, congested skin with frequent blackheads responds best to Hydrafacial plus a salicylic-acid peel course. Enlarged pores from sun damage and ageing respond best to Dermapen microneedling for collagen stimulation. Inflammatory congestion with active spots responds best to LED light therapy. Mixed cases benefit from a combination, agreed at consultation with photographs and a written plan.
How long until I see results?
Hydrafacial shows visible pore refinement within an hour of the session. Salicylic peels show a visible change after the first one to two sessions, with the most meaningful refinement across a course of four to six sessions over three to four months. Dermapen microneedling delivers a result that builds across the course and continues to mature for three months after the final session. Photographs are taken at the start so progress can be tracked objectively.
Will the result last?
With maintenance, yes. Pores stay refined when oil production is managed (peel maintenance every six to eight weeks plus a home retinoid), when collagen is supported (a microneedling top-up every six months for mature skin), and when sun exposure is moderated. Without maintenance, congestion returns within four to six weeks and pores look the same again. We plan the maintenance rhythm in the written plan at consultation.
Is there any downtime?
Hydrafacial and LED light therapy have no downtime. Light salicylic peels cause mild flaking for two to three days. Dermapen microneedling causes redness for twenty-four hours and mild flaking for two to three days. Medium-depth peels may cause five to seven days of visible flaking. The expected recovery is confirmed at consultation so you can plan around any events.
Can I have pore-refining treatment if I have active acne?
Some treatments yes, some no. Salicylic-acid peels and LED light therapy are appropriate during active acne and often help. Hydrafacial is fine on most active acne but is paused during severe inflammatory flares. Dermapen microneedling is paused until active inflammation is controlled, because needling through active spots can spread bacteria. We assess this at consultation and sequence accordingly.
How much does large-pores treatment cost at CoLaz?
Hydrafacial starts at the entry-level Express session price. Chemical peels and Dermapen microneedling are sold per session with discounts on a course of three. LED light therapy is sold per session. The full plan price is agreed in writing at your free consultation before any session is booked, with no upsells in the chair.
Our locations
Find your nearest CoLaz
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CoLaz Derby 21-23 Pear Tree Road, Derby DE23 6PZ View clinic -
CoLaz Wembley 17 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley HA9 8AF View clinic -
CoLaz London Paddington 31 Southwick Street, London W2 1JQ View clinic -
CoLaz Slough 183 Farnham Road, Slough SL1 4XP View clinic -
CoLaz Reading 292 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1AD View clinic -
CoLaz Southall 247 The Broadway, Southall UB1 1NF View clinic -
CoLaz Hounslow 435-437 Great West Road, Hounslow TW5 0BY View clinic - Not sure which is nearest? Maps, opening hours and directions for all seven clinics. All clinics
Bring your skin in, we will match the plan
The first consultation is free and there is no obligation to book. We look at your skin, your history and your home routine before recommending anything.