Pigmentation, Pores & Acne: Which Treatments Does Your Skin Need?
From melasma and dark spots to redness, enlarged pores, active acne and acne scars, skin concerns rarely arise from a single cause.
Even when pigmentation looks similar, its type and depth may differ. Visible pores may have different causes, including sebum, reduced elasticity or structural changes in the surrounding skin.
The priority also differs depending on whether acne is active, has left red or brown marks, or has caused depressed scars.
Rather than repeatedly choosing one procedure in advance, NUWA Clinic reviews the current skin condition, main concerns, previous treatments and responses before discussing priorities and any suitable combination of treatments.
At NUWA, treatment starts with why it is needed — not just what to do
Having several skin concerns does not necessarily mean that receiving many lasers in the same visit is better.
Different lasers and treatments address different targets. An appropriate combination may address multiple concerns without relying excessively on any one procedure.
NUWA considers the skin barrier and recovery status when setting priorities. Where appropriate, two or three treatments may be combined, taking overall skin condition into account.
What NUWA checks first
Which concern matters most to you now: pigmentation, redness, enlarged pores, acne or scarring?
Which lasers or skin procedures have you received, how many sessions did you have, and how did your skin respond?
If repeated treatments have been disappointing, we reassess the type and depth of the concern, your skin condition and previous responses rather than simply increasing the number of sessions.
When pigmentation overlaps with redness, or enlarged pores with scars, we discuss which concern to address first and which treatments, if any, may be combined.
Pigmentation care does not begin with simply removing spots
If pigmentation is your main concern, we first review past treatments and identify the type of pigmentation that bothers you most.
We then assess its present characteristics and possible reasons for an insufficient previous response before discussing a treatment plan.
Melasma requires attention to skin condition and barrier recovery
For melasma in particular, focusing only on rapidly reducing pigment is not enough. Skin condition and barrier recovery also need to be considered.
When the skin is unstable or easily irritated, the approach may involve managing the skin condition rather than simply increasing laser intensity.
For some pigmentation types and conditions, different laser wavelengths may be considered in combination when a more targeted pigment-focused approach is appropriate.
01. PicoSure PRO
PIGMENTATION | Picosecond laser
PicoSure PRO is a second-generation picosecond laser from US-based Cynosure and is a central device in NUWA's pigmentation treatment options.
Settings are not applied uniformly. Spot size, energy and approach are considered in relation to pigment type, depth, distribution, intensity, skin condition and session number, and may change according to the skin's response.
Options discussed according to the skin condition include Flat mode for toning, Focus mode for fractional pico treatment, and Zoom Pass for targeted pigmentation treatment.
Beyond pigment concerns, NUWA also evaluates overall skin condition and barrier-related considerations when planning the use of PicoSure PRO.
02. Derma V
REDNESS & VASCULAR CONCERNS
Derma V is a laser considered for various vascular-related skin concerns.
It may be used when vascular changes contribute to uneven-looking skin tone or redness, and for red post-acne marks. Depending on skin condition, sebum-related concerns may also be part of the assessment.
NUWA may also consider Genesis mode within a plan that accounts for skin condition and recovery following pigmentation treatment.
When both are concerns, the priority depends on the skin condition, pigmentation type and the treatments being considered for that visit.
For pores, the cause of their appearance matters more than size alone
There is more than one reason why pores may appear prominent:
- High sebum production can make pores look enlarged.
- Age-related changes and reduced elasticity can stretch the skin around pores.
- Depressions around pores can make them look like deeper scars.
- Hair around pores can increase their visibility.
- Several of these factors can occur together.
The aim is therefore not simply to reduce the apparent size of pores, but to assess why they are prominent and discuss an approach suited to those factors.
Pore and texture treatments may also consider skin renewal
03. POTENZA
Microneedle radiofrequency (RF)
POTENZA delivers RF energy through fine needles. It may be considered for pores, uneven skin texture and acne scarring.
Tip selection, depth and energy can be adjusted according to the area and skin condition. When the skin is sensitive, has responded slowly to past laser treatment, or needs broader condition management, POTENZA may be discussed as a treatment option.
04. Mosaic 3D
Fractional laser
Mosaic 3D is a fractional laser that delivers energy in small treatment zones and may be considered for uneven texture, acne scars and enlarged-looking pores.
It may be incorporated into an approach that considers skin renewal alongside other laser treatments, with the method adjusted to the skin condition and specific concern.
For acne, first determine whether it is still active
Active acne, marks left after acne and established scars require different treatment goals.
Active acne
When acne is ongoing, the initial focus includes assessing the sebaceous glands and sebum production. Treatment planning takes into account blocked pores, retained sebum and the risk of inflammation, according to the current skin condition.
Marks left after acne
Red and brown marks are assessed separately according to whether vascular redness or pigment-related change is involved. PicoSure PRO and Derma V may be considered when planning a suitable approach.
Depressed acne scars
For depressed scars, it is important to assess their depth and shape, rather than focusing only on resurfacing the skin surface. Changes within the skin and recovery also need consideration.
Depending on the skin condition, options may include PicoSure PRO Focus fractional treatment, POTENZA, Mosaic 3D or ENPULSE Fx, sometimes alongside skin boosters or collagen-related treatments.
For deeper depressions or raised, uneven scars, a plan may address both the surface and deeper tissue changes, with adjustments made as the skin responds across sessions.
05. ENPULSE Fx
Option for selected scar and texture concerns
ENPULSE Fx may be considered for irregular surface scars and uneven skin texture. The shape and severity of deeper or raised scars are assessed before deciding whether it belongs in a treatment plan.
NUWA combines treatments only when there is a reason to do so
You do not need to receive many lasers in one visit. Pigmentation, blood vessels, pores, texture and scars have different underlying factors and targets, however, so a combination of two or three approaches may be considered when appropriate.
Examples discussed at NUWA include:
When pigmentation and redness are both present, depending on skin condition.
When pigment, texture, pores and skin renewal all need to be considered.
When skin texture, scarring and skin renewal are considered together.
When redness, texture, pores and skin renewal are concurrent concerns.
Why NUWA does not simply repeat lasers
Longer-term care for pigmentation, pores and acne includes assessing whether the skin is ready to receive further treatment, not only the visible concern itself.
Skin boosters and skin-renewal treatments such as POTENZA may be considered when appropriate. Lifting options may also be relevant in relation to collagen-related skin changes and loss of elasticity, depending on the patient's condition.
The goal is not to perform as many procedures as possible, but to plan necessary treatments without relying unnecessarily on higher energy while also considering overall skin condition.
Ongoing care does not always mean repeating exactly the same treatment
Concerns such as melasma, prominent pores and acne scars may need longer-term care because they may not resolve fully in a short period.
Instead of repeating identical laser settings at every visit, it is important to review the skin's response to previous treatment and its present condition, then adjust the approach and combinations.
NUWA aims to continually reassess treatment priorities and combinations, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary sessions while pursuing medically appropriate results.
What to tell us before your consultation
- What is your main skin concern right now?
- Which lasers or skin treatments have you received before?
- Approximately how many treatment sessions have you had?
- What improved, and what disappointed you, after treatment?
- Are melasma, dark spots or red marks your main concern?
- Do you also have flushing or persistent redness?
- Are your pore concerns related mostly to sebum, elasticity or scarring?
- Is acne still active?
- Do you have red or brown post-acne marks?
- Are there depressed or raised scars?
- Is your skin sensitive, or have past lasers caused significant irritation?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If I have pigmentation, is PicoSure PRO all I need?
It depends on the type, depth and distribution of pigment, your skin condition and previous response to treatment. PicoSure PRO may be central to the plan, but other lasers or skin-renewal treatments may also be considered.
Q. Will stronger or more frequent laser treatment improve melasma faster?
Melasma care should consider skin condition and barrier recovery, not just stronger pigment-targeting treatment. Intensity and method may need to be adjusted to the skin's current condition.
Q. If I have both pigmentation and redness, which should be treated first?
The priority depends on the pigmentation type, current skin condition and the treatments being considered for that visit.
Q. Is POTENZA or Mosaic 3D better for enlarged pores?
The choice depends on why pores appear enlarged and on skin texture, elasticity and scarring. Neither treatment is universally better; assessment should come first.
Q. Are acne marks different from acne scars?
Yes. Red or brown post-acne marks differ from depressed or raised scars. Their appearance and underlying changes need to be distinguished before deciding on treatment.
Q. Is it better to have several lasers together?
Not always. Two or three treatments may be considered when different concerns require different approaches, but skin condition and recovery capacity also need to be assessed.
Q. Can sensitive skin receive laser treatment?
Sensitivity and previous treatment reactions should be reviewed first, then the intensity and method adjusted. Skin-renewal options, which may include POTENZA, may be considered where appropriate.
Q. Should I keep repeating the same treatment?
Not necessarily. For melasma, pores and acne scars, it is important to review prior results and the current skin condition and adjust the method or combination rather than automatically repeating the same treatment.
Not sure which treatment your skin needs?
Review your current pigmentation, pores and acne concerns together with your previous treatment history.
Read the detailed pigmentation, pores & acne articles* Treatment methods, combinations, session numbers and recovery vary according to skin condition and treatment type. Specific procedures and plans are determined following medical consultation.
Pigmentation, Pores & Acne: Which Treatments Does Your Skin Need?
From melasma and dark spots to redness, enlarged pores, active acne and acne scars, skin concerns rarely arise from a single cause.
Even when pigmentation looks similar, its type and depth may differ. Visible pores may have different causes, including sebum, reduced elasticity or structural changes in the surrounding skin.
The priority also differs depending on whether acne is active, has left red or brown marks, or has caused depressed scars.
Rather than repeatedly choosing one procedure in advance, NUWA Clinic reviews the current skin condition, main concerns, previous treatments and responses before discussing priorities and any suitable combination of treatments.
At NUWA, treatment starts with why it is needed — not just what to do
Having several skin concerns does not necessarily mean that receiving many lasers in the same visit is better.
Different lasers and treatments address different targets. An appropriate combination may address multiple concerns without relying excessively on any one procedure.
NUWA considers the skin barrier and recovery status when setting priorities. Where appropriate, two or three treatments may be combined, taking overall skin condition into account.
What NUWA checks first
Which concern matters most to you now: pigmentation, redness, enlarged pores, acne or scarring?
Which lasers or skin procedures have you received, how many sessions did you have, and how did your skin respond?
If repeated treatments have been disappointing, we reassess the type and depth of the concern, your skin condition and previous responses rather than simply increasing the number of sessions.
When pigmentation overlaps with redness, or enlarged pores with scars, we discuss which concern to address first and which treatments, if any, may be combined.
Pigmentation care does not begin with simply removing spots
If pigmentation is your main concern, we first review past treatments and identify the type of pigmentation that bothers you most.
We then assess its present characteristics and possible reasons for an insufficient previous response before discussing a treatment plan.
Melasma requires attention to skin condition and barrier recovery
For melasma in particular, focusing only on rapidly reducing pigment is not enough. Skin condition and barrier recovery also need to be considered.
When the skin is unstable or easily irritated, the approach may involve managing the skin condition rather than simply increasing laser intensity.
For some pigmentation types and conditions, different laser wavelengths may be considered in combination when a more targeted pigment-focused approach is appropriate.
01. PicoSure PRO
PIGMENTATION | Picosecond laser
PicoSure PRO is a second-generation picosecond laser from US-based Cynosure and is a central device in NUWA's pigmentation treatment options.
Settings are not applied uniformly. Spot size, energy and approach are considered in relation to pigment type, depth, distribution, intensity, skin condition and session number, and may change according to the skin's response.
Options discussed according to the skin condition include Flat mode for toning, Focus mode for fractional pico treatment, and Zoom Pass for targeted pigmentation treatment.
Beyond pigment concerns, NUWA also evaluates overall skin condition and barrier-related considerations when planning the use of PicoSure PRO.
02. Derma V
REDNESS & VASCULAR CONCERNS
Derma V is a laser considered for various vascular-related skin concerns.
It may be used when vascular changes contribute to uneven-looking skin tone or redness, and for red post-acne marks. Depending on skin condition, sebum-related concerns may also be part of the assessment.
NUWA may also consider Genesis mode within a plan that accounts for skin condition and recovery following pigmentation treatment.
When both are concerns, the priority depends on the skin condition, pigmentation type and the treatments being considered for that visit.
For pores, the cause of their appearance matters more than size alone
There is more than one reason why pores may appear prominent:
- High sebum production can make pores look enlarged.
- Age-related changes and reduced elasticity can stretch the skin around pores.
- Depressions around pores can make them look like deeper scars.
- Hair around pores can increase their visibility.
- Several of these factors can occur together.
The aim is therefore not simply to reduce the apparent size of pores, but to assess why they are prominent and discuss an approach suited to those factors.
Pore and texture treatments may also consider skin renewal
03. POTENZA
Microneedle radiofrequency (RF)
POTENZA delivers RF energy through fine needles. It may be considered for pores, uneven skin texture and acne scarring.
Tip selection, depth and energy can be adjusted according to the area and skin condition. When the skin is sensitive, has responded slowly to past laser treatment, or needs broader condition management, POTENZA may be discussed as a treatment option.
04. Mosaic 3D
Fractional laser
Mosaic 3D is a fractional laser that delivers energy in small treatment zones and may be considered for uneven texture, acne scars and enlarged-looking pores.
It may be incorporated into an approach that considers skin renewal alongside other laser treatments, with the method adjusted to the skin condition and specific concern.
For acne, first determine whether it is still active
Active acne, marks left after acne and established scars require different treatment goals.
Active acne
When acne is ongoing, the initial focus includes assessing the sebaceous glands and sebum production. Treatment planning takes into account blocked pores, retained sebum and the risk of inflammation, according to the current skin condition.
Marks left after acne
Red and brown marks are assessed separately according to whether vascular redness or pigment-related change is involved. PicoSure PRO and Derma V may be considered when planning a suitable approach.
Depressed acne scars
For depressed scars, it is important to assess their depth and shape, rather than focusing only on resurfacing the skin surface. Changes within the skin and recovery also need consideration.
Depending on the skin condition, options may include PicoSure PRO Focus fractional treatment, POTENZA, Mosaic 3D or ENPULSE Fx, sometimes alongside skin boosters or collagen-related treatments.
For deeper depressions or raised, uneven scars, a plan may address both the surface and deeper tissue changes, with adjustments made as the skin responds across sessions.
05. ENPULSE Fx
Option for selected scar and texture concerns
ENPULSE Fx may be considered for irregular surface scars and uneven skin texture. The shape and severity of deeper or raised scars are assessed before deciding whether it belongs in a treatment plan.
NUWA combines treatments only when there is a reason to do so
You do not need to receive many lasers in one visit. Pigmentation, blood vessels, pores, texture and scars have different underlying factors and targets, however, so a combination of two or three approaches may be considered when appropriate.
Examples discussed at NUWA include:
When pigmentation and redness are both present, depending on skin condition.
When pigment, texture, pores and skin renewal all need to be considered.
When skin texture, scarring and skin renewal are considered together.
When redness, texture, pores and skin renewal are concurrent concerns.
Why NUWA does not simply repeat lasers
Longer-term care for pigmentation, pores and acne includes assessing whether the skin is ready to receive further treatment, not only the visible concern itself.
Skin boosters and skin-renewal treatments such as POTENZA may be considered when appropriate. Lifting options may also be relevant in relation to collagen-related skin changes and loss of elasticity, depending on the patient's condition.
The goal is not to perform as many procedures as possible, but to plan necessary treatments without relying unnecessarily on higher energy while also considering overall skin condition.
Ongoing care does not always mean repeating exactly the same treatment
Concerns such as melasma, prominent pores and acne scars may need longer-term care because they may not resolve fully in a short period.
Instead of repeating identical laser settings at every visit, it is important to review the skin's response to previous treatment and its present condition, then adjust the approach and combinations.
NUWA aims to continually reassess treatment priorities and combinations, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary sessions while pursuing medically appropriate results.
What to tell us before your consultation
- What is your main skin concern right now?
- Which lasers or skin treatments have you received before?
- Approximately how many treatment sessions have you had?
- What improved, and what disappointed you, after treatment?
- Are melasma, dark spots or red marks your main concern?
- Do you also have flushing or persistent redness?
- Are your pore concerns related mostly to sebum, elasticity or scarring?
- Is acne still active?
- Do you have red or brown post-acne marks?
- Are there depressed or raised scars?
- Is your skin sensitive, or have past lasers caused significant irritation?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If I have pigmentation, is PicoSure PRO all I need?
It depends on the type, depth and distribution of pigment, your skin condition and previous response to treatment. PicoSure PRO may be central to the plan, but other lasers or skin-renewal treatments may also be considered.
Q. Will stronger or more frequent laser treatment improve melasma faster?
Melasma care should consider skin condition and barrier recovery, not just stronger pigment-targeting treatment. Intensity and method may need to be adjusted to the skin's current condition.
Q. If I have both pigmentation and redness, which should be treated first?
The priority depends on the pigmentation type, current skin condition and the treatments being considered for that visit.
Q. Is POTENZA or Mosaic 3D better for enlarged pores?
The choice depends on why pores appear enlarged and on skin texture, elasticity and scarring. Neither treatment is universally better; assessment should come first.
Q. Are acne marks different from acne scars?
Yes. Red or brown post-acne marks differ from depressed or raised scars. Their appearance and underlying changes need to be distinguished before deciding on treatment.
Q. Is it better to have several lasers together?
Not always. Two or three treatments may be considered when different concerns require different approaches, but skin condition and recovery capacity also need to be assessed.
Q. Can sensitive skin receive laser treatment?
Sensitivity and previous treatment reactions should be reviewed first, then the intensity and method adjusted. Skin-renewal options, which may include POTENZA, may be considered where appropriate.
Q. Should I keep repeating the same treatment?
Not necessarily. For melasma, pores and acne scars, it is important to review prior results and the current skin condition and adjust the method or combination rather than automatically repeating the same treatment.
Not sure which treatment your skin needs?
Review your current pigmentation, pores and acne concerns together with your previous treatment history.
Read the detailed pigmentation, pores & acne articles* Treatment methods, combinations, session numbers and recovery vary according to skin condition and treatment type. Specific procedures and plans are determined following medical consultation.