Pores look bigger after microneedle RF? It can be normal healing. Know the warning signs.
Published -
Updated -

Author
Wi Young-jin · Chief director
Seoul National University College of Medicine · Seoul National University Hospital Specialist
→
My pores look larger right after the procedure,
is something wrong?
After the procedure, I looked in the mirror
and felt surprised if my pores seemed more noticeable.
I clearly had it done to improve them,
but it feels like they’ve gotten even larger.
Even when I search for reviews, I only see posts saying it got better,
so I start to worry that maybe I’m the only one doing something wrong.
This stage is actually part of the recovery process
that many people go through.
The appearance right after the procedure
is not the final result—
keeping that in mind can help you feel a little more at ease.

It may look temporarily
more pronounced during recovery
Microneedle RF is a procedure that
creates tiny channels in the skin with fine needles
and delivers heat into them.
Right after the procedure,
the skin is left with tiny puncture marks and mild swelling.
At this time, spots that look like pores
may appear more distinct than usual.
After a few days, the swelling subsides,
and as the surface marks settle, the skin texture becomes more refined again.
The real change appears gradually over the following weeks
as collagen is newly produced in the dermis
and slowly improves the skin.
So the impression that "it looks worse right after the procedure"
is simply one part of the natural healing process.

Basic steps that support recovery
Reducing irritation during the recovery period
can affect your results.
Avoid strong cleansing, hot water, saunas, and strong UV exposure
for a few days,
and make sure to pay extra attention to
moisturizing and sun protection.
The schedule and precautions you were given after the procedure
can influence the outcome,
so it’s best not to take them lightly.

In these cases,
it’s a good idea to have a follow-up consultation
Temporary redness,
tiny scabs, and mild swelling are common during recovery.
However, if the pain becomes progressively worse,
if oozing continues for a long time, or
if the redness does not subside and spreads,
it may be a sign that goes beyond normal recovery.
In that case, rather than relying on self-judgment,
it’s safer to check again with
the clinic where you had the procedure or with a specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Even after several days, my pores
still look the same. Did the treatment fail?
A. Microneedle RF is a treatment where changes appear
over several weeks, not immediately after the procedure.
Collagen regeneration usually takes
time, and
if you still have more sessions left,
you should also look at the cumulative effect.
Q. I developed tiny scabs or marks at the treatment site.
Can I squeeze them off?
A. Manually picking or squeezing them off
is not recommended because it can leave
pigmentation or scars.
It’s safer to wait until they naturally come off
and keep up with moisturizing and sun protection.
Q. During recovery,
can I exercise or go to a sauna?
A. Right after the procedure, it’s best to avoid exercise that causes heavy sweating,
saunas, and Korean spas (jjimjilbang) for a few days.
The most accurate guide is
the recovery period explained by the clinic where you had the procedure.
Content

skin
Why Does Fractional CO2 Take Longer to Heal?

Contouring & Volume
How Many cc Does Forehead Filler Need?

skin
Why Is My Skin Oily but Tight in the Fall?

Hair Removal
Underarm Laser Hair Removal Cost: Do the Math

Tattoo removal
Laser Before a Cover-Up: How Many Sessions?

skin
큐어젯 다운타임, 다음 날 출근과 화장은 언제부터 될까요?



![[Wi Young-jin] CureJet vs Potenza: cleanse or remodel?](https://framerusercontent.com/images/2raXkXYV4e1v80g7u2Tb6KKkCQ.jpg?width=1080&height=1080)



