Pores are functional openings in the skin, so they cannot be permanently closed or removed — anyone promising that is overselling. What treatment can do, and do well, is make pores look significantly smaller by clearing the oil and debris inside them and by firming the skin around them. The honest goal is minimised, tighter-looking pores maintained over time, not permanent elimination.

Three main things: how much oil your skin produces, how much elasticity the skin around the pore has, and how clogged the pore is. Oily skin types have naturally larger pores, sun damage and ageing loosen the support around them so they look bigger, and trapped oil and dead skin (blackheads) stretch the opening. Genetics set your baseline — larger pores are common in South Asian skin.

They can appear larger with age. As skin loses collagen and elastin — accelerated by sun exposure — it loses the firm support that keeps pores looking tight, so they seem more open. This is why treatments that rebuild collagen, like RF microneedling and laser, help improve pore appearance in older skin.

Because those areas — the nose, inner cheeks and the T-zone — have the highest concentration of oil glands. More oil activity means more visible pores, which is why enlarged pores are usually most noticeable there.

There isn't one single fix — the best results come from combining oil-clearing and skin-firming approaches. Carbon peel and HydraFacial deep-clean and reduce oil; RF microneedling and fractional laser rebuild collagen to tighten the skin around pores; chemical peels renew the surface. A daily routine with a retinoid, niacinamide or salicylic acid and sunscreen maintains it. Dr. Sania Khan matches the plan to your skin at consultation.

You can improve their appearance at home: cleanse twice daily, use a retinoid, niacinamide or salicylic acid (BHA), avoid heavy comedogenic products, and wear sunscreen daily to protect elasticity. This keeps pores clear and supported. Deeper, longer-lasting improvement usually needs in-clinic treatments that reduce oil and rebuild collagen.

Pore strips remove some surface blackheads temporarily, so pores may look cleaner for a day or two, but they don't reduce pore size and can irritate the skin if overused. They're a cosmetic quick-fix, not a treatment — regular cleansing and professional treatments give far better, lasting results.

Both work by stimulating collagen to firm the skin around pores, and both are effective. RF microneedling is often preferred for darker Pakistani skin because it's considered safe across skin tones with less pigmentation risk, while fractional laser offers strong resurfacing for suitable cases. The right choice depends on your skin type and how much downtime you can take — which is decided at consultation.

Yes. Higher oil (sebum) production is one of the main reasons pores look enlarged, so oily and combination skin types tend to have more visible pores. Controlling oil — through the right skincare and treatments like carbon peel or HydraFacial — is a key part of managing them.

It depends on the treatment. Chemical peels start from PKR 4,000, HydraFacial from PKR 5,000, carbon peel from PKR 6,000 and RF microneedling from PKR 15,000. Because pore treatment usually combines a couple of approaches over a few sessions, the clinic gives you a clear plan and estimate at your free consultation. Prices are the same at the Islamabad and Karachi clinics.