Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores | Treatments to Know in Korea
If you struggle with acne scars, uneven skin texture, or enlarged pores, you may have noticed that these concerns can be difficult to improve with skincare alone.
Acne can leave behind more than just temporary breakouts. After inflammation has healed, some people are left with depressed acne scars, uneven texture, enlarged-looking pores, or changes in skin tone. Fortunately, Korea offers a wide range of aesthetic treatments designed to improve skin texture, support collagen production, and create a smoother-looking complexion.
Among the treatments commonly used for acne scars and enlarged pores are MTS microneedling, RF microneedling such as Potenza, Juvelook Skin, skin tox, and subcision. Depending on your skin concerns, a combination of treatments may also be recommended.
Here’s what to know about each option.
What Causes Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores?
Acne scars can develop when inflammation from acne affects the deeper layers of the skin. The result can be depressed or uneven areas that remain after the original acne has disappeared.
Common types of atrophic acne scars include:
• Rolling scars: Broad depressions with smooth, sloping edges
• Boxcar scars: Depressed areas with more defined edges
• Ice pick scars: Narrow, deeper indentations
Enlarged pores are a separate concern, although they can sometimes appear more noticeable when the skin has uneven texture or acne scarring. Pore visibility can also be influenced by sebum production, skin elasticity, genetics, and the structure of the pore itself.
Because everyone’s skin is different, there isn’t one treatment that works for every type of scar or pore concern. A consultation can help determine which treatment—or combination of treatments—is most appropriate.
1. MTS Microneedling
MTS microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fine needles to create controlled microchannels in the skin. This process stimulates the skin’s natural repair response and can encourage collagen production.
Microneedling is commonly used to improve the appearance of:
• Acne scars
• Uneven skin texture
• Enlarged pores
• Fine lines
• Overall skin quality
Because the treatment creates numerous tiny channels in the skin, microneedling can also be used alongside topical skin boosters. At Lienjang, we offer two of our own skin booster lines—L’ebss and Lumivion—that can be administered with microneedling to address additional skin concerns.
Depending on the formulation selected, these treatments may be used with goals such as supporting skin regeneration, brightening, and hydration.
Microneedling can be particularly appealing for people who want to address overall skin texture rather than focusing on a single acne scar.
MTS Microneedling at Lienjang
At Lienjang, MTS microneedling can be combined with our L’ebss or Lumivion skin booster lines for a more comprehensive skin treatment.
Your treatment plan can be customized according to your individual skin concerns, whether you’re primarily looking to improve acne scarring and texture or want to address additional concerns such as dullness or dehydration.
2. RF Microneedling
If you’re looking for a treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy, RF microneedling is another option to consider.
Unlike traditional microneedling, RF microneedling delivers radiofrequency energy into the skin through the treatment tips. The combination of controlled microneedling and RF energy is designed to stimulate collagen and support improvements in skin texture.
RF microneedling devices, such as Potenza, may be used for concerns including:
• Acne scars
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin texture
• Fine lines
• Skin firmness
The depth and energy settings can be adjusted according to the treatment area and individual skin concerns.
Lienjang’s RF Microneedling Device: TwinPixel
Lienjang also offers its own RF microneedling device, TwinPixel.
TwinPixel combines microneedling with radiofrequency technology to target the skin at different depths. Like other RF microneedling treatments, it is designed to stimulate collagen and improve the appearance of skin texture.
Having different RF microneedling options allows treatment parameters to be customized according to each person’s skin condition and goals.
If your primary concerns are acne scars and enlarged pores, your provider can assess your skin to determine whether RF microneedling may be appropriate for you.
3. Juvelook Skin
Juvelook Skin is a skin booster treatment that combines hyaluronic acid with poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA).
Rather than simply focusing on adding hydration, Juvelook is designed to support collagen production while providing the skin with a smoother, more hydrated appearance.
It may be considered for people concerned with:
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin texture
• Fine lines
• Acne-related textural concerns
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Overall skin quality
Juvelook Skin can be particularly beneficial for people who want to improve the overall quality and texture of their skin rather than targeting a single deep acne scar.
Because acne scars vary significantly in depth and shape, Juvelook may also be incorporated into a broader acne-scar treatment plan rather than used as the only treatment.
4. Skin Tox
This treatment, commonly known as Skin Botox, uses small amounts of botulinum toxin injected more superficially into the skin compared with traditional muscle-targeting tox injections.
One of the reasons skin tox is popular for people concerned about pores is its potential to create a smoother-looking skin surface and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
It may also be used to address:
• Excessive oiliness
• Visible pores
• Fine lines
• Uneven skin texture
Skin tox is different from conventional botulinum toxin used to relax facial muscles. Because it is administered more superficially, the treatment focuses more on the skin itself.
While skin tox can help with the appearance of pores and skin texture, it generally isn’t considered a standalone treatment for deeper, depressed acne scars. For deeper scars, treatments that target the underlying scar structure may be more appropriate.
5. Subcision
For certain types of depressed acne scars, particularly rolling scars, the problem isn’t only at the surface of the skin.
Some acne scars are connected to underlying tissue by fibrous bands. These bands can pull the skin downward and create a visible depression.
Subcision is a procedure designed to release these fibrous connections beneath the scar. A specialized needle is inserted underneath the skin and moved beneath the scar to separate the tethered tissue.
By releasing the underlying bands, the depressed area can have an opportunity to become more elevated and even over time.
Subcision is generally considered when acne scars have an underlying tethered component. It is therefore different from treatments like MTS or RF microneedling, which primarily work by creating controlled injury and stimulating the skin’s repair and collagen-production processes.
For some patients, subcision may be combined with other treatments to address both the underlying scar and the skin’s surface texture.
Which Treatment Is Best for Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores?
There isn’t one universal “best” treatment for acne scars or enlarged pores because the right approach depends on the type and severity of the concern.
For example:
| Concern | Treatments that may be considered |
|---|---|
| Enlarged pores | Skin tox, RF microneedling, MTS microneedling, Juvelook Skin |
| Overall uneven texture | MTS microneedling, RF microneedling, Juvelook Skin |
| Rolling acne scars | Subcision, MTS microneedling, RF microneedling |
| Boxcar scars | MTS microneedling, RF microneedling, other resurfacing approaches depending on the scar |
| Deeper/tethered scars | Subcision, sometimes combined with other treatments |
| Dull or dehydrated skin alongside acne scars | MTS + L'ebss or Lumivion, Juvelook Skin |
In many cases, combination treatments may be more useful than relying on one procedure alone, particularly when someone has several different types of acne scars or wants to address both scarring and overall skin quality.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments varies depending on your skin condition, the type of acne scars being treated, and the procedure selected.
Some treatments are performed as a series, with sessions spaced apart to allow the skin to recover and undergo its natural remodeling process. Your provider can recommend an appropriate treatment schedule after examining your skin.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations. Acne scar treatments are generally intended to improve the appearance of scars and skin texture, rather than completely erase every scar.
Can You Treat Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores at the Same Time?
Yes! Since acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, and overall skin quality can overlap, a customized treatment plan may address several concerns at once.
For example, someone with rolling acne scars and enlarged pores may benefit from a combination approach that addresses the underlying scar tissue as well as the skin’s surface texture. Someone with primarily enlarged pores and mild textural irregularities may be better suited to treatments such as skin tox, MTS microneedling, RF microneedling, or Juvelook Skin.
The best approach depends on your individual skin.
Treat Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores at Lienjang
From MTS and RF microneedling to skin boosters, skin tox, and subcision, Lienjang offers a range of treatments that can be customized to different acne scar and pore concerns.
Our doctors can assess your skin and recommend a treatment plan based on your scar type, skin condition, and desired results.
Whether you’re looking to improve acne scars, enlarged pores, uneven texture, or overall skin quality, a personalized approach can help determine which treatments are most suitable for you.
Where to Find Us
Lienjang Gangnam
14 ~ 18th floor, 343 Gangnam Tower,
1318-4 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Lienjang Hongdae
4th Floor, 3, Yanghwa-ro 18-gil,
Blue Elephant Building, Mapo-gu, Seoul