Open Pores & Oily Skin (Khule Masaam)
Shiny by midday, with pores you can see in the mirror? Open pores (khule masaam) are pore openings stretched by oil, clogged dead skin and, with age, loosening skin around them. They can’t be closed for good, but a HydraFacial or carbon laser peel makes them look smaller and less oily straight away, and RF microneedling firms the skin around them over months.
Also known as khule masaam, enlarged pores or greasy skin.
Is this you?
- Pores you can see on your nose, cheeks or forehead
- Shine by midday, even after washing
- Blackheads or whiteheads that keep coming back
- Make-up settles into pores or slides off by evening
See a doctor first if breakouts are deep, painful or leave scars, or oiliness came on suddenly with changes such as irregular periods or new facial hair.
What causes open pores and oily skin?
- Oily skin More oil stretches the pore opening and makes it look bigger and shinier.
- Clogged pores Dead skin and oil plug the pore, so it widens and turns into a blackhead.
- Heat and humidity Hot weather raises oil, which is why pores look worse in summer.
- Age and sun Skin loosens as collagen falls, so pores stretch and look oval rather than round.
- Genes Pore size and oiliness run in families.
How we treat open pores and oily skin, step by step
- MildStep 1 · MildHydrafacialSuction and a mild acid peel clear oil and blackheads from inside the pores, so skin looks cleaner after one session.
- Every 2–4 weeks, then monthly
- None: back to work the same day
ModerateStep 2 · ModerateCarbon Laser PeelA laser lifts a carbon layer away with oil and dead cells; studies show smaller-looking pores and less oil.- 2–4 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart
- None: mild redness for hours
StubbornStep 3 · StubbornMicroneedling RFHeat through fine needles builds collagen around the pores, so they keep looking smaller over 3–6 months.- 3–4 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart
- Redness for 1–3 days
Free consultation
Not sure which one suits you?
A doctor checks your skin and goals, then tells you honestly what will work, and what won’t. No obligation.
Meet our 50 doctorsWe usually reply within 15 minutes.
What results to expect
Cleaning treatments work fast. Skin looks cleaner after one HydraFacial, and in a study six sessions reduced pore size. A carbon laser peel brightens skin straight away; studies show smaller-looking pores and less oil, and in an acne trial about 59% fewer inflamed spots. RF microneedling is slower, with pores and firmness improving for 3–6 months as new collagen forms.
The honest limit: pores are part of healthy skin, so they can’t be closed or removed for good. Treatment makes them look smaller and keeps oil down, and regular top-ups with the right skin care keep them that way.
Sources
- Enlarged pores treated with Q-switched and micropulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with and without topical carbon suspension: a split-face trial
- Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Effectiveness of radiofrequency microneedling in dermatological conditions: a systematic review
- American Academy of Dermatology: Chemical peels FAQs
Caring for your skin at home
- Wash twice a day with a gentle gel or foaming cleanser; scrubbing harder leaves skin red, not less oily.
- Use a salicylic acid (BHA) cleanser or toner a few times a week: it dissolves into oil and clears pores.
- Still moisturise with a light, oil-free gel; skipping it doesn’t make skin less oily.
- Sunscreen every day: a light, oil-free SPF 30+, because sun damage loosens the skin around pores.
- Don’t squeeze blackheads: it stretches pores and can leave marks.
Questions people ask
Straight answers from our doctors to what people ask most about open pores and oily skin.
Choosing a treatment 5
01What is the best treatment for open pores?
It depends on what makes them look big, which the doctor checks first.
Oil and blackheads respond to HydraFacial or a salicylic acid peel; shine and large pores to a carbon laser peel; and pores stretched by loosening skin to RF microneedling.
02Carbon laser peel or HydraFacial?
Both clean out pores with no downtime; they work differently.
HydraFacial uses suction and a mild acid peel to clear oil and blackheads, and suits clogged, breakout-prone skin. A carbon laser peel lifts oil and dead cells with a laser and gives an instant glow, often before an event.
03What helps very oily skin?
A course of salicylic acid peels, because salicylic acid dissolves into oil and travels deep into pores.
Skin feels smoother and less oily within a week of the first peel, and your doctor may add a prescription cream if oil comes with acne.
04Do open pores cause acne?
Not on their own, but the same oil and clogging behind them also cause blackheads and breakouts.
In a study, six HydraFacial sessions two weeks apart took many people with mild to moderate acne to clear or almost clear skin.
05Do pore strips and home remedies work?
They clean the surface for a day or two but don’t make pores smaller.
Strips, harsh scrubs and squeezing can stretch pores and irritate the skin; a gentle salicylic acid cleanser does more good.
Cost & results 3
06Can open pores be closed permanently?
No; pores are part of healthy skin.
Treatment makes them look much smaller and less oily, and top-ups with the right skin care keep them that way.
07How many sessions will I need?
Usually 2–4 carbon peels or 3–6 salicylic peels, 2–4 weeks apart, or 3–4 RF microneedling sessions, 4–6 weeks apart.
HydraFacial is often monthly to keep pores clear.
08How much does open pore treatment cost?
It depends on the treatment and the number of sessions you need, so the doctor gives you an exact price at your free consultation.
For a first opinion, send a photo on WhatsApp.
Safety & recovery 2
09Is there downtime?
Usually none.
After HydraFacial or a carbon laser peel you go straight back to your day; a salicylic peel can flake for a few days, and RF microneedling leaves redness for 1–3 days.
10Who shouldn’t have these treatments?
They aren’t done over sunburn or broken skin, or soon after isotretinoin, and anyone allergic to aspirin or salicylic acid should say so before a HydraFacial or salicylic peel.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
اردو میں خلاصہ
کھلے مسام چہرے پر، خاص طور پر ناک، گالوں اور ماتھے پر، نظر آنے والے بڑے مسام ہوتے ہیں۔ زیادہ تیل، بند مسام، گرمی اور عمر کے ساتھ ڈھیلی ہوتی جلد انہیں بڑا دکھاتے ہیں، اور اکثر ان کے ساتھ چہرے پر چمک، بلیک ہیڈز اور دانے بھی ہوتے ہیں۔
کیا کھلے مسام بند ہو سکتے ہیں؟ مسام ہمیشہ کے لیے بند نہیں ہوتے، لیکن صحیح علاج سے یہ کافی چھوٹے دکھائی دیتے ہیں اور چہرے کا تیل کم ہو جاتا ہے۔
علاج: ہمارے ڈاکٹر پہلے آپ کی جلد کا معائنہ کرتے ہیں، پھر ہائیڈرا فیشل، کاربن لیزر پیل یا آر ایف مائیکرونیڈلنگ تجویز کرتے ہیں۔
گھر پر: دن میں دو بار نرم فیس واش استعمال کریں، ہلکا تیل سے پاک موئسچرائزر اور سن اسکرین لگائیں، اور بلیک ہیڈز کو مت دبائیں۔
مفت مشورے کے لیے ہمیں واٹس ایپ کریں۔
