Pore Tightening in Myeongdong Seoul at RE:BERRY Clinic

Why Pores Enlarge: Structural and Sebaceous Factors

Enlarged pores result from a combination of excessive sebum production, loss of perifolicular collagen support, and chronic UV-induced elastosis. The pilosebaceous unit — comprising the hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and surrounding dermal matrix — determines visible pore size. When collagen fibers around this unit degrade due to aging or photodamage, the pore loses its structural scaffold and dilates. Simultaneously, overactive sebaceous glands produce excess oil that stretches the pore opening. Flament et al. (2015) quantified these factors in a multi-ethnic study of 2,585 women and found that pore visibility increased 28% per decade of aging, with the T-zone and cheeks showing the most significant dilation. This dual mechanism explains why effective pore tightening in Myeongdong requires both collagen rebuilding and sebum regulation.

Fractional RF Microneedling: Rebuilding the Pore Scaffold

Fractional radiofrequency microneedling directly addresses the collagen component of pore enlargement. By delivering bipolar RF energy through insulated micro-pins at controlled depths, the treatment creates micro-zones of thermal coagulation in the mid-dermis. This triggers a wound-healing response that produces new type I and type III collagen fibers specifically around the perifolicular region. Alexiades-Armenakas et al. (2011) demonstrated in a histological study that bipolar fractional RF produced 67% new collagen formation at 3 months, with clinical measurements showing an average 31% reduction in pore diameter across 35 subjects. The insulated needle design used in the Potenza system at RE:BERRY Myeongdong protects the epidermis while focusing energy at the dermal target depth.

PDLLA Microspheres: Sustained Collagen Biostimulation

The addition of poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) microspheres after RF microneedling introduces a biostimulatory scaffold that extends collagen production far beyond the initial thermal response. PDLLA particles are gradually absorbed over 8-24 weeks, during which they provoke a controlled foreign-body response that deposits organized collagen fibers in the treated area. Park et al. (2020) studied PDLLA-HA (the Juvelook formulation) in a prospective trial and reported 37% improvement in skin firmness and 29% reduction in pore severity scores at 16 weeks. The combination of RF-induced thermal collagen and PDLLA-induced biostimulatory collagen creates a dual mechanism that produces more durable pore tightening than either approach alone.

Sebum Regulation Through Energy-Based Treatments

Energy-based pore tightening devices also modulate sebaceous gland activity. The thermal energy from RF microneedling partially ablates overactive sebaceous glands, resulting in measurable reductions in sebum output. Tanaka et al. (2015) documented a 42% reduction in sebum production 4 weeks after a single fractional RF session, persisting for up to 6 months. At RE:BERRY Myeongdong, this sebum-reduction effect is enhanced by the Aqua Peel pre-treatment, which removes existing sebum plugs and allows deeper RF penetration into the pilosebaceous unit. The combination of reduced oil production and tightened collagen scaffold produces the comprehensive pore tightening effect that patients observe.

Flament F et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:303-312. doi:10.2147/CCID.S79858

Alexiades-Armenakas M et al. Lasers Surg Med. 2011;43(6):545-552. doi:10.1002/lsm.21096

Park KY et al. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2020;22(4-5):218-223. doi:10.1080/14764172.2020.1796967

Tanaka Y et al. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30(1):295-301. doi:10.1007/s10103-014-1649-7