- Estika’s Dermapen Therapy, a controlled micro-needling device that triggers the skin’s own collagen-building response
- Excess sebum, age-related loss of skin elasticity, and Malaysia’s heat and humidity all work together to stretch pores wide open
- Thousands of micro-channels created by Dermapen Therapy signal the skin to rebuild collagen around each pore, gradually tightening its appearance from within
- “Orange peel” texture, persistent blackheads, a shiny T-zone by midday, and makeup that won’t sit evenly on the skin
- Estika Medispa’s Dermapen Therapy are one of open pores treatment that designed to refine texture and visibly tighten enlarged pores over a series of sessions
Understanding Open Pores
Open pores are caused by excess sebum and age-related collagen loss stretching the follicle opening wider, they can’t be “closed” with creams, but a collagen-rebuilding treatment like Dermapen Therapy can make the surrounding skin firmer and the pore visibly tighter over a series of sessions.
If your foundation seems to “sink into” your skin by noon, or your nose and cheeks look permanently dotted no matter how often you cleanse, you’re likely dealing with open (enlarged) pores rather than just oiliness. It’s one of the most common skin concerns in Malaysia’s hot, humid climate and one of the most over-treated with products that were never going to fix it.
Open Pores Root Cause
- Hyper-seborrhea (excess oil production): overactive sebaceous glands stretch the pore opening wider to release more sebum
- Loss of skin elasticity: as collagen naturally declines with age, the skin around each pore loses its ability to “spring back,” leaving it permanently stretched
- Malaysia’s climate factor: heat and humidity increase sebum pooling at the skin’s surface by as much as 15%, making pores look more obvious year-round
- Chronic sun damage: UV exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, weakening the structural support around pores
- Improper extraction: squeezing or picking at blackheads stretches the follicle wall, often making the pore look permanently wider afterward
Symptoms of Open Pores
- A visible “orange peel” texture across the nose, cheeks, or forehead, especially under direct lighting
- Persistent blackheads that return within days of extraction
- A shiny T-zone that reappears within hours of cleansing
- Makeup or sunscreen that looks patchy or “sinks into” certain areas of the face
- Pores that look noticeably more obvious in photos or close-up mirrors than in everyday life
Progression of Open Pores
Left unmanaged, excess sebum builds up faster than the skin can clear it, stretching the follicle opening wider while debris collects inside to form blackheads. As collagen around the pore continues to weaken with age and sun exposure, the opening loses any ability to “shrink back” until both excess oil and reduced elasticity together leave pores at their most visible.
Related: Greasy Skin? Follow These Skin Care Steps for Oily Skin
Open Pores Myths vs Reality
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Pores can be “closed” permanently | Pores don’t have muscles that open and close, they can only appear tighter when the surrounding skin is firmer |
| Cold water shrinks pores | Cold water causes a brief, temporary tightening effect at most; it doesn’t change pore structure |
| Only oily skin gets open pores | Aging skin with normal or dry surface texture can still have enlarged pores due to lost elasticity, not just oil |
| Pore strips fix open pores | Pore strips only remove surface debris from blackheads; they don’t address the size of the pore opening itself |
What the Research Says About Open Pores & Collagen Loss
Peer-Reviewed Dermatology Data
- DermNet identifies increased sebum production, larger hair follicle size, comedogenic product use, age-related loss of skin elasticity, and sun damage as the key contributing factors behind enlarged pores
- A 2022 real-world retrospective study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology followed 75 patients treated with fractional microneedle radiofrequency (FMR), a micro-needling-based technology for enlarged facial pores and found visible improvement increased progressively with each additional session, supporting why a full treatment series outperforms a single visit
- The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that clogged, inflamed, or sun-damaged skin makes pores look more noticeable and that non-comedogenic skincare, gentle cleansing, and consistent SPF use are foundational to managing their appearance
- The Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia (PDM) emphasises that proper, dermatologist-guided skincare habits, not expensive products alone, matter most for long-term skin texture and pore health
Estika internal observation (based on client consultation patterns, not a published clinical trial): clients with oily, sebum-heavy skin tended to see more visible texture improvement than clients with purely age-related pore stretching, and the most common concern raised was months or years spent on pore-minimising creams before realising surface products can’t rebuild lost collagen.
How We Assess Your Open Pores
At Estika Medispa, treating open pores always starts with finding out why yours are visible not just applying a generic facial:
- Pore type identification: distinguishing oily/circular pores, aging/droplet-shaped pores, clogged pores (blackheads), and acne-related pores
- Sebum & oiliness analysis: checking whether excess oil is the primary driver of your pore size
- Skin elasticity check: assessing how much age-related collagen loss is contributing to the stretched appearance
- Sun damage review: evaluating cumulative UV exposure, which can independently worsen pore visibility
- Personalised treatment mapping: building a realistic plan based on your pore type, skin goals, and budget
Understanding Dermapen Therapy
Science Behind Dermapen Therapy
Dermapen Therapy uses controlled micro-needling to create thousands of microscopic channels in the skin’s surface. This deliberately triggers the body’s natural wound-healing response, stimulating fresh collagen and elastin production around the treated area, including around each pore opening. As collagen rebuilds, the skin surrounding the pore becomes firmer and less able to stretch open as easily, gradually refining its appearance.
Dermapen Therapy Procedure
- Double cleanse to fully remove oil, makeup, and debris
- Topical numbing cream applied for comfort
- Micro-needling pass across the treatment area using a sterile, controlled-depth device
- Calming serum or mask infusion to support healing immediately after treatment
- SPF application before you leave, since skin is more sun-sensitive post-treatment
Dermapen Therapy Downtime
Most clients experience redness for 1–3 days, similar to a mild sunburn. Makeup can usually be reapplied the following day, though Estika therapists generally recommend giving the skin at least 24 hours to settle.
Dermapen Therapy Results
| Timeline | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Mild redness, similar to sun exposure |
| Weeks 1–2 | Initial smoothing as the skin completes its healing cycle |
| Month 1–2 | Visibly refined pores and smoother surface texture |
| Month 3+ | Continued improvement with a full treatment series |
Why Dermapen Therapy Works for Open Pores
Benefits
- Targets the underlying loss of collagen, not just surface oil
- Refines the appearance of oily/circular, aging/droplet-shaped, and clogged pores in one treatment
- Improves overall skin texture and tone, not just the area around pores
- Builds toward longer-lasting results rather than a one-time, temporary fix
Suitable For
- Anyone with visibly enlarged, oily, or clogged pores, or those who’ve tried pore-minimising creams without lasting improvement
- People noticing “orange peel” texture or persistent blackheads on the nose, cheeks, or forehead
- Malaysians dealing with humidity-triggered oiliness and congestion
Not Suitable For (Without Modification)
- Active acne, open wounds, or skin infections. Wait until skin has fully healed
- Certain medical conditions or pregnancy. Consult your therapist, as suitability may depend on the specific protocol
- Recent use of strong retinoids (e.g. isotretinoin). Disclose this during consultation, as it may affect skin healing
Our Certified Skin Therapists
Estika’s certified beauty specialists are trained to distinguish between oily pores, aging pores, and clogged pores because treating all three the same way rarely gives the best result. Every treatment plan follows protocols reviewed by a registered medical practitioner.
Why Dermapen Therapy Is a Cost-Effective Option
Many clients spend months, sometimes yearsrotating through pore-minimising creams and serums before realising surface products can’t rebuild lost collagen. Because Dermapen Therapy works at the collagen level rather than masking pores temporarily, results build and compound over a series of sessions instead of needing constant repurchasing of new products.
Advantages of Estika Solution
- Targets the real cause; collagen loss and excess sebum instead of just minimising the look of pores temporarily
- Non-invasive technology designed to minimise downtime while supporting real collagen renewal
- Certified therapists trained specifically in pore-type assessment and management
- 37 branches nationwide, including across the Klang Valley/Greater KL area, recognised with the Nona Superwoman Award 2023
Book Your Dermapen Therapy at Estika Medispa
Treatment Journey for Open Pores
Your journey starts with a consultation and skin analysis to identify your pore type, followed by a personalised Dermapen Therapy plan tailored to your oil level and skin goals. After your first treatment session, you’ll move through progressive sessions spaced to allow your skin to rebuild collagen gradually, with regular progress reviews to track texture improvement and adjust your plan as needed.
When to Go For A Dermapen Therapy?
Home skincare can help manage surface oil and mild congestion, but it cannot rebuild the collagen that keeps pores looking tight. Consider professional treatment when:
- Pore-minimising creams and serums haven’t made a visible difference after consistent use
- Your pores look noticeably wider in photos, makeup, or close-up mirrors
- You’re dealing with persistent blackheads that return shortly after extraction
- You want a clinically guided plan instead of trial-and-error with new products
Open Pores & Dermapen Therapy FAQ
1. Can pores actually be shrunk permanently?
Pores don’t have muscles, so they can’t be “closed” the way creams often claim. What Dermapen Therapy can do is rebuild collagen around the pore, making the surrounding skin firmer so the pore appears visibly tighter and less noticeable over time.
2. How to get an appointment for an open pores consultation at Estika?
Book online via estika.com/services/, through WhatsApp, or walk into any of our 37 branches nationwide, including across the Klang Valley and Greater KL area for a skin assessment and transparent, treatment-specific pricing.
3. Is Dermapen Therapy suitable for oily, acne-prone skin?
It can be, once any active breakouts are under control. Our therapists assess your skin first and may recommend stabilising active acne before starting, to ensure safe, effective results.
4. How many sessions are required for visible improvement?
Most clients notice initial texture improvement within a month, with a full treatment series, typically several sessions spaced a few weeks apart, recommended for the most visible, lasting pore refinement.
Open Pores? Read Skin Problem FAQ Here
Sources
- DermNet — Enlarged Pores, March 2017, updated 23-May-2024. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/enlarged-pores
- PubMed / NCBI — Ren K, Liu H, Li B, Zhou B. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for enlarged facial pores: A real-world retrospective observational study on 75 patients. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Dec-2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36038248/
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — What Can Treat Large Facial Pores? https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/treat-large-pores
- Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia (PDM) — Official public education resource on skin health and dermatology in Malaysia. https://www.dermatology.org.my/
- Our Open Pores Treatments — https://estika.com/services/
- Open Pore Problem Guide — https://estika.com/skin-problem/open-pore/
This clinical guide has been reviewed and approved for medical accuracy by:
Dr. Abdul Haq Ab Wasa Founder of Estika Medispa Registered Medical Practitioner with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC No: 63574). All protocols at Estika Medispa adhere strictly to KKM (Ministry of Health Malaysia) regulations and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System guidelines to ensure patient safety and clinical excellence.
