2026-10-03
Why Potenza Is So Effective at Shrinking Enlarged Pores – Hongdae Dermatology
Explains why Potenza RF microneedling can help reduce enlarged pores by restoring the dermal structure that supports them, with tips on precautions and skin booster pairings.
“Doctor, can pores that have already enlarged really be shrunk?”
Hello, I’m Dr. Lee Go-eun of Nine Clinic, a dermatology clinic in Hongdae 🙂
Have you ever come across the claim online
that “once pores have enlarged, they never shrink back”?
Have you heard it before?
It may have been true in the past,
but treatment options have come a long way,
and the way we approach skin has changed a lot too.
Of course, it’s difficult to reverse them naturally.
However, with a dermatological approach,
there are treatments that can actually change the structure of the pores themselves,
and they really do exist.
So today,
the procedure most frequently mentioned for “pore treatment” these days,
Potenza is what I want to talk about.
Some of you may already have heard of Potenza,
but there are “precautions” you really should know before treatment,
as well as key points that many people overlook.
I’ll cover all of them in today’s post.
Just take three minutes and read through to the end.
You’ll start to look at pores in a new way 🙂
Doctor! What’s the real reason pores get enlarged?
To cut to the chase,
the real reason pores get enlarged
is that the structure of the dermis breaks down.
Many people think, “If I just reduce sebum, my pores will get smaller,” right?
Unfortunately, that only looks at the surface-level result.
In reality, as the structure of the dermal layer deep inside the skin collapses,
pores become enlarged.
Our skin is made up of layers from the outside in: epidermis → dermis → subcutaneous fat.
A pore is a kind of passage that pierces the epidermis
and connects to the sebaceous glands deep in the dermis.
Within the dermis, components such as collagen and elastin keep the skin firm and supported.
But when these are damaged by factors such as aging, UV exposure, or inflammation,
the “walls” that held the pores in shape collapse,
and the openings sag and widen.
On top of that, when sebum is excessive or inflammation keeps recurring,
more substances that break down collagen are released,
and the breakdown happens faster.
That’s why simply exfoliating and managing sebum has its limits.
If the structure underneath has already collapsed, the gaps will just open up again 🥲
For this reason, pore treatments these days are shifting toward regenerating the dermal layer itself
and replenishing collagen.
Why does Potenza come up so often in Hongdae dermatology pore treatments?
As I mentioned earlier,
pores get enlarged because the structure underneath collapses.
So naturally, treatment needs to rebuild what’s underneath.
That’s why dermal regeneration devices are extremely popular at dermatology clinics these days,
and Potenza is mentioned the most among them.
This Potenza device
delivers radiofrequency energy deep into the skin
to stimulate new collagen production.
But here’s the key point!
It doesn’t simply fire radiofrequency energy,
but rather uses a very fine needle
that is gently inserted into the skin to deliver the energy.
Why is that?
▶ The surface skin is less damaged
▶ and only the deeper structure is precisely stimulated.
So the surface looks fine,
but regeneration begins from within.
Another advantage is that
the needle depth and energy level can be adjusted.
Deeper for areas with deep pores, shallower for sensitive areas.
Because it can be tailored precisely, it’s both safe and effective.
So Potenza isn’t just a “good machine,”
but a device recognized for being able to address
why pores became enlarged in the first place.
If you’re this type of person, consider trying Potenza!
1. “I’ve been diligently caring for my pores, but it’s not working.”
Even if you’ve been consistently doing exfoliation, sebum control, pore masks, and so on,
and your skin looks clearer on the surface but your pores still feel wide and rough,
this may mean the skin underneath has already weakened.
Because Potenza stimulates collagen production deep within the skin,
you can expect not just a smooth surface, but a sense of your skin being rebuilt from the inside out.
2. “My pores are one thing, but my skin texture is rough.”
Your pores have gotten smaller, but your skin texture is still uneven
and lacks radiance, right?
This isn’t simply a pore issue,
but a sign that the overall density and texture of the skin need attention.
Because Potenza can target both pore and skin texture improvement at the same time,
it may be more effective for people with these combined concerns.
3. “My skin is sensitive, and I’m worried about scarring or irritation.”
Approaches that strongly stimulate the skin and peel it away, like traditional lasers,
can be a burden for people with sensitive skin.
Because Potenza is designed to minimize epidermal damage while stimulating only the dermis,
it can be approached safely even for sensitive skin or skin with acne scars.
Doctor! Are there any precautions to keep in mind when getting Potenza?
Of course.
Like other dermatological procedures, Potenza also requires a different approach depending on skin condition,
and that is extremely important!
For example,
If the skin is thin and the treatment is too strong?
→ Pigmentation can develop, the skin can become red, and recovery can take longer.
If the skin is thick and the treatment is too gentle?
→ The results may be weaker than expected.
That’s why I place great importance on first
carefully assessing the skin’s condition.
▶ If the skin is thin → use needles that cause less thermal damage
▶ If the skin is thick → use needles that can stimulate deeper layers
▶ I also adjust the approach for different areas of the face.
In closing,
today I’ve written about Potenza and pore treatment at a Hongdae dermatology clinic!
Rather than just saying “it’s famous” or “it works well,”
I wanted to explain why this procedure is needed,
and how it works.
I hope you now have a clearer understanding of it.
You can’t know skin just by looking at its surface.
And changing only the surface doesn’t last long either.
Oh, and one more tip before I wrap up:
These days, many people also combine Potenza
with skin booster treatments.
▶ Collaster → Firms the dermal structure and promotes collagen production
▶ Juvelook → Smooths skin texture, adds radiance, and improves hydration and volume
▶ Rejuran → Soothes skin, reduces irritation, and strengthens the skin barrier
Combinations like these work by filling the gaps that each treatment may easily miss,
so the results appear more multidimensional and balanced than with a single treatment.
(Through imaging with a professional skin diagnostic device called Markview,
we identify what the skin lacks and recommend the skin boosters that are needed.)
Let me close today’s post like this!
“We want you to look more beautiful every single moment.”
This was Dr. Lee Go-eun of Nine Clinic, a dermatology clinic in Hongdae!
By the way,
did you know we also have a YouTube channel?
We share short, helpful information about a variety of treatments,
so please stop by and take a look 😊
#HongdaeDermatology #HongikUnivDermatology #HongdaeStationDermatology #HapjeongDermatology #SinchonDermatology #HongdaeDermatologyRecommendation #HongdaePotenza #PotenzaLaser #PoreLaser #PoreTreatment #PoreReduction #PoreCare #PoreTherapy #PotenzaReview #PotenzaPrice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the root cause of enlarged pores?
The root cause of enlarged pores is the breakdown of the supportive structure of the dermal layer beneath the skin. When collagen and elastin in the dermis are damaged by aging, UV exposure, or inflammation, the walls that hold pores in place weaken, causing the openings to sag and widen. Sebum control alone has limits when it comes to restoring the structure of the dermis.
How does the Potenza procedure improve pores?
Potenza uses fine microneedles to deliver radiofrequency energy directly into the dermal layer, stimulating collagen regeneration. Because it minimizes epidermal damage while precisely stimulating the deeper structure, it restores firmness deep within the pores, helping to tighten sagging pores and smooth rough skin texture at the same time.
Can people with sensitive skin receive Potenza treatment?
Yes, people with sensitive skin can receive treatment by adjusting the needle depth and energy to match their skin condition. Since Potenza does not peel the skin away, it causes less epidermal irritation, which means less risk of scarring or irritation. However, areas with thinner skin require careful adjustment to prevent redness and pigmentation.
What precautions should be taken during Potenza treatment?
It's important to adjust the energy level and penetration depth to match each person's skin thickness and condition. Treating thin skin too aggressively can cause redness or pigmentation and delay recovery, while treating thick skin too gently may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Can Potenza be combined with skin boosters?
Yes, Potenza can be combined with skin booster treatments depending on your skin concerns. Pairing Potenza with Collaster, which helps promote collagen production, Juvelook, which improves radiance and hydration, or Rejuran, which helps calm the skin and strengthen the barrier, may lead to more balanced skin improvement than a single treatment alone.