Enlarged Pores Treatment in Toronto
By Basil Russo, Founder, Bar Beauty Medical, 46 Fort York Blvd, CityPlace Toronto. Clinically reviewed by Julia Barabas, Glow Specialist at Bar Beauty Medical. Phone 416-923-1200 · Book at barbeautymedical.janeapp.com · 5.0 stars across 222 Google reviews.
You stand in front of the mirror in harsh bathroom light and your pores across the nose, central cheeks, and forehead look like they have multiplied and deepened into elongated grooves. That is enlarged pores, and it is one of the most-searched and most-misunderstood skin concerns we see in Toronto.
Marketing language promises to “close” or “shrink” pores. Biology says you cannot close a pore, but you can absolutely reduce its visible diameter, depth, and oiliness. That distinction matters, because it tells you which treatments are honest and which are selling you a filter.
We run Bar Beauty Medical on Fort York Blvd in CityPlace, and we have treated Toronto skin since 2018. Enlarged-pore consults often follow a long history of pore strips, harsh cleansers, and over-exfoliation that made the underlying issue worse. Here is the biology-based version.
Book Your Consult Online → Call 416-923-1200
What are enlarged pores?
A pore is the visible opening of a pilosebaceous unit, which is a hair follicle plus its sebaceous gland. The highest density sits on the face, scalp, and upper chest. How visible a pore looks comes down to a few things:
- Sebum production volume. More oil stretches the opening.
- Follicular keratin debris. Dead skin cells stuck in the pore make it look darker and wider.
- Surrounding dermal collagen. When the collagen scaffold is robust, the pore is supported and appears smaller.
- Hair follicle diameter. Genetically set.
- Sun damage and age. Both degrade the collagen scaffold, so pores look larger over time.
You cannot change the genetic count or diameter of your pores. You can substantially reduce their appearance by addressing sebum, debris, and the collagen scaffold around them.
Why do pores look larger over time?
- Sun damage. UV degrades collagen and elastin in the skin around the follicle.
- Sebum overproduction. Driven by hormones, diet (high glycemic load), and genetics.
- Inflammation from acne. Even after acne resolves, the openings can stay stretched.
- Smoking and pollution. Chronic free-radical damage.
- Picking and squeezing. Damages the follicular wall.
- Over-exfoliation. Strips the barrier and can paradoxically increase oil and pore appearance.
- Heavy occlusive skincare. Comedogenic products clog follicles.
- Genetics. A strong family pattern.
- Hormonal change. Perimenopause increases facial sebum in some patients.
How do you minimize enlarged pores?
Because pores are a skin-quality concern rather than a volume one, this is treated mainly with non-injectable, energy and resurfacing treatments plus the right home routine, not with fillers or neuromodulator. The goal is to lower oil, clear debris, and rebuild the collagen scaffold so each opening is better supported.
Microneedling with exosomes or PRP, the workhorse
Microneedling stimulates collagen in the skin around each pore, tightening the scaffold so openings narrow and texture smooths over a course of sessions.
- SkinPen microneedling: $850.
- Microneedling with ASCE+ exosomes: $750.
- Microneedling with PDRN (Derma Spark): $350.
Morpheus8, deeper remodelling
For more significant pore enlargement combined with some skin laxity, Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling tightens the deeper dermis and remodels the structure around the follicle more strongly. Compare the two on our Morpheus8 vs SkinPen guide.
- Morpheus8 Half Face: see our price list for current pricing.
- Morpheus8 Face: see our price list for current pricing.
Aerolase NeoSkin for sebum and skin quality
Aerolase NeoElit helps reduce oil and improve pore visibility across a course. It is safe on all skin tones with no real downtime.
- Aerolase NeoSkin Custom Facial: $600.
Chemical peels for oily, pore-prone skin
Salicylic acid peels are oil-soluble, so they get inside the follicle and clear it, which makes them especially useful for oily, pore-prone skin. Other peels improve surface texture and brightness.
- Chemical Peel (Noon 20 or Noon 30): $240.
- Green Peel (Level 1): $250.
Facials and custom extraction
Deep cleansing and extraction clear pore debris and keratin plugs. This is maintenance rather than a cure, and it pairs well with the treatments above.
- Custom Facial, Advanced Decongest Facial at $450, or Hydrabrasion Deluxe at $200.
At-home skincare, the foundation
No in-clinic plan holds without the right routine:
- Salicylic acid cleanser a few times a week.
- Niacinamide serum daily, which has a proven oil-regulating effect.
- A retinoid at night, prescribed by our MD where appropriate, to remodel how the follicle sheds skin.
- Mineral SPF every morning.
- A non-comedogenic moisturiser.
Hormonal management when it applies
For hormonal acne with significant oil production, oral therapy can meaningfully reduce sebum and pore visibility. Our MD assesses and prescribes after a proper workup.
Fractional ablative laser, when we refer out
For severe pore enlargement with deep boxcar acne scarring, fractional ablative laser is the stronger option. That is outside our scope, so we refer to a dermatologic surgeon.
What combination approach makes sense?
For someone in their 20s to mid-40s with moderate pore enlargement, a typical plan is:
- An at-home regimen of niacinamide, a retinoid, salicylic acid, and mineral SPF.
- A microneedling-with-exosomes course of three to four sessions.
- Aerolase NeoSkin sessions alternating with microneedling for oil and skin quality.
- Chemical peel maintenance every six to eight weeks.
- Hormonal management only if your assessment indicates it.
What results can I expect, and how soon?
- Week 4: first visible improvement.
- Month 3: mid-course change.
- Month 6: peak result from a course.
- Month 12: maintenance phase.
What you can expect: a meaningful reduction in how visible your pores are over six to twelve months, smoother texture, less T-zone oil, makeup that sits better, and fewer blackheads and whiteheads.
What you cannot expect: actual “closure” of pores, which is biologically impossible, permanent results without maintenance, or the poreless look you see filtered online.
Who is a good candidate, and who is not?
Most people with oily or pore-prone skin are good candidates. Aggressive treatment should wait or be adjusted in these cases:
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, where we defer retinoids and energy devices.
- An active acne flare, which we treat first.
- Active rosacea, which follows a different protocol.
- Recent isotretinoin, where we wait about six months.
- Active dermatitis or a compromised barrier, which we rebuild first.
- Body dysmorphic concerns, which our MD screens for.
What does pore treatment cost in Toronto?
Pore work is priced per treatment, and we publish every price with no “starting from” and no quote-on-arrival. As a guide, see our price list for current per-treatment pricing on SkinPen microneedling, microneedling with exosomes or PDRN, Aerolase NeoSkin, chemical peels, Green Peel, and Morpheus8. Financing through Affirm is available if you want to spread a plan over monthly payments.
Full pricing at barbeauty.ca/price-list.
What happens at your consult?
Intake covering your skincare history, acne history, and current products. Standardised photos. An assessment of your barrier and oil production. Pore mapping across the T-zone, cheeks, and full face. A plan that pairs a home regimen with an in-clinic protocol, a topical prescription if appropriate, and a screen for body dysmorphic concerns.
Who treats you?
Julia Barabas, our Glow Specialist, leads microneedling, Aerolase, peels, and facials. Medical therapy and prescribing come from Dr. John David Henneberry-Fudge MD FRCPC.
Common questions
Can I close my pores?
No. You can substantially reduce their visible diameter and depth, but the opening itself does not close.
Does microneedling actually work for pores?
Yes, across a course and paired with a good home regimen. It rebuilds the collagen that supports each pore.
How many sessions will I need?
Usually three to four microneedling sessions plus ongoing home care and maintenance.
Does it hurt?
Microneedling with numbing cream is around 2 to 4 out of 10.
Will my skin get oilier or drier?
Aerolase plus a good routine usually reduces oil rather than increasing it.
Can men get pore treatment?
Yes, often. Pore enlargement is frequently more prominent in men because of higher oil production.
What about pore strips?
Counterproductive. They mechanically stretch the opening and damage the surrounding skin.
What about pore vacuums?
Similar problem. Short-term debris removal at the cost of follicular damage, so we do not recommend them.
Will niacinamide alone fix this?
It is foundational but not enough on its own for moderate cases.
Is a retinoid necessary?
For most patients it helps a lot, because it changes how the follicle sheds skin and reduces visible pore appearance.
How often should I get a facial?
Every four to six weeks is typical for maintenance.
Will my pores come back if I stop maintenance?
Gradually, yes. Pore visibility is chronic and driven by biology and lifestyle, so it responds to ongoing care.
Is treatment safe for darker skin tones?
Yes for most of what we offer. Aerolase NeoElit at 1064 nm is safe across all Fitzpatrick types and is our default in deeper skin. With Morpheus8 we use conservative settings to limit any pigment risk in Fitzpatrick V to VI.
How do I book?
Online at barbeautymedical.janeapp.com or by phone at 416-923-1200.
Book Your Consult Online → Call 416-923-1200 Meet Our Medical Director →
Bar Beauty Medical · 46 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3Z9 · 416-923-1200 · 5.0 stars · 222 Google reviews.
How we treat it at Bar Beauty: Morpheus8, microneedling and Aerolase.