Taula de Continguts
HydraFacial can help clean clogged pores and remove some blackheads through suction extraction, but it does not permanently reduce pore size. Whether a pore looks large depends on several factors, such as sebum, genetics, sun exposure and the passing of time, and none of that changes with a cleanse. In this guide we explain why pores look enlarged, how a blackhead forms, what extraction can and cannot do, why squeezing them at home is a bad idea and which other options in the Santé Madrid catalogue may be considered if cleansing is not enough.
Key points
- Visible pore size has a multifactorial origin: sebum production, genetic predisposition, sun exposure, past acne and skin ageing.
- A blackhead is an open pore plugged with sebum and dead skin cells; the dark colour comes from that material oxidising, not from dirt.
- HydraFacial extraction helps empty congested pores; the pore may look less noticeable afterwards, but its underlying size does not change permanently.
- Squeezing blackheads at home can cause infection, dark marks or scars.
- Results vary from skin to skin, and the plan is decided by the medical team after an assessment.
Why pores look enlarged
What we call a pore is the surface opening of the pilosebaceous unit, that is, the follicle and the gland that produces sebum. Everyone has pores, and they are most visible on the nose, forehead and cheeks. A pore that looks enlarged is not a disease: it is a feature of the skin that worries many people because of how it changes the texture of the face.
The dermatology literature describes a multifactorial origin. In the introduction to a 2024 study, the authors summarise published work and list seborrhoea, genetic predisposition, ultraviolet exposure, acne and ageing as associated factors, noting that several studies have found a link between pore size and number and the amount of sebum (De Tollenaere and colleagues, 2024). The same paper mentions that loss of dermal support around the follicle, linked to age and sun exposure, may also contribute to a pore looking more open.
This has a practical consequence: part of how a pore looks depends on what is inside it (accumulated sebum and dead cells) and part depends on the structure of the skin around it. Cleansing acts on the first. The second, if you want to treat it, needs a different approach and a medical assessment.
How a blackhead forms
The American Academy of Dermatology explains that a blackhead forms when excess oil and dead skin cells build up inside a pore; as the plug grows, it widens the opening of the pore and the blackhead appears. Its medical name is open comedo (American Academy of Dermatology, types of blemishes).
A very common mistake is to think the dark colour is dirt. According to the same source, the colour comes from a chemical reaction: the contents of the pore oxidise on contact with the air, much as a cut apple turns brown. That is why scrubbing harder does not make it go away.
A blackhead differs from a whitehead, or closed comedo, in that the whitehead has its pore opening blocked and looks like a small raised bump that is white or skin coloured. Both differ from inflamed spots, which are red, sometimes painful and may contain pus. This article focuses on pores and blackheads. If what predominates is inflamed spots or active acne, the assessment is different and it is best to start with a medical consultation.
What HydraFacial extraction can and cannot do
HydraFacial is a hydradermabrasion system that, according to the manufacturer, cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates the skin in one continuous treatment; the extraction step is described as the one that clears pores (HydraFacial, treatments). On its skin concerns page, the manufacturer sets out for clogged pores the aim of clearing out congested pores to help them look less noticeable (HydraFacial, skin concerns). Note the nuance: it speaks about how the pore looks, not about changing its structure.
Independent evidence points the same way. A preliminary study with few participants used optical imaging to observe changes in the most superficial layer of the skin after hydradermabrasion, with no visible changes in dermal collagen at follow-up (Razi and colleagues, 2024). The data are limited, but they fit what you would expect: HydraFacial works on the surface.
| Cause of the visible pore | What can help | What HydraFacial offers |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulated sebum and dead cells (blackheads) | Gentle cleansing, non-comedogenic products, professional extraction | Suction extraction and superficial exfoliation; blackheads can come back |
| Excess oil | A routine adapted to oily skin and a review of the products you use | It helps remove oil built up on the surface during the session; a daily routine is still needed |
| Sun damage and skin ageing | Daily sun protection and, after assessment, treatments that act on the dermis | The cited study saw no visible changes in dermal collagen at follow-up |
| Genetic predisposition | Realistic expectations and a medical assessment | It may improve the appearance, not the underlying size |
In short, HydraFacial may make sense when the main problem is congested pores and blackheads. It is not a treatment for closing pores, and results vary from skin to skin.
Why you should not squeeze blackheads at home
The American Academy of Dermatology advises against it: squeezing a blackhead can cause an infection or a permanent scar (American Academy of Dermatology, types of blemishes). When blemishes are squeezed without proper technique, some of the contents can be pushed deeper into the skin, which increases inflammation, and bacteria from your hands can cause an infection (American Academy of Dermatology, why not to pop). Handling blemishes can also leave post-inflammatory dark marks.
The same source explains that comedone extraction with sterile instruments is a technique performed by dermatologists and that blackheads and whiteheads can return, so a routine is needed to prevent new ones. It is a useful idea for understanding HydraFacial: no extraction, manual or by suction, stops the pore from filling up again.
In these cases, the medical team will decide whether it is better to wait, adapt the session or choose another option.
A home routine that supports the results
What you do every day affects your pores more than a one-off session. These guidelines come from the American Academy of Dermatology's recommendations for oily, clog-prone skin, and the team will adapt them to your case:
- Choose products labelled non-comedogenic and oil free: cleansers, moisturisers and make-up (AAD, oily skin).
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and do not scrub it: scrubbing irritates the skin and can make it look worse.
- Ingredients such as salicylic, glycolic or lactic acid can help reduce oiliness, but they can be irritating: if you notice irritation, use them less often or stop.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day, and look for one labelled non-comedogenic (AAD, tips for acne-prone skin).
- Keep your hands away from your face.
In everyday city life, sun, urban pollution and winter heating can affect how your skin looks, so sun protection and light hydration make sense all year round. At the clinic we work with skincare from SkinCeuticals, ZO, ASM and Biotricología; if it suits you, the team can recommend products from these brands after assessing your skin.
When cleansing is not enough: other options after assessment
If what worries you most is pore size rather than blackheads, cleansing may fall short. The study cited at the start summarises in its introduction that treatments for visible pores mainly aim to reduce sebum and stimulate collagen, and includes among them energy-based devices such as intense pulsed light or different types of laser (De Tollenaere and colleagues, 2024). Even so, the authors note that these approaches do not address all the changes described around the pore.
The Santé Madrid catalogue includes several options the medical team may consider depending on your skin:
- Peels. These may be considered to work on texture and the build-up of dead cells on the surface.
- Microneedling. This may be considered when skin texture or marks are part of the reason for your visit.
- Laser for acne. This is assessed if there is a tendency to breakouts or associated marks.
None of these options suits everyone, and the choice depends on your skin type, the time of year and your history. Results vary from skin to skin.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Santé Clinics Madrid is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00; the clinic is closed on Sundays.
We start with a free aesthetic consultation with a Beauty Coach. In it we look at where your pores and blackheads are concentrated, which products you use and what you hope to achieve. If there are inflamed spots, a medical condition or medication that calls for it, this is assessed in a medical consultation, which costs €50. The clinic also has Observ skin analysis, which can support that assessment.
If HydraFacial is a good fit, the Santé Madrid medical team chooses the protocol (Signature, Deluxe or Platinum) and, where appropriate, a booster, and adjusts the intensity to your skin. If you want to know the steps and protocols in more detail, we explain them in our guide to HydraFacial in Madrid. If the assessment suggests that pore size matters more than congestion, we will tell you and explain which other options may make sense.
We do not promise closed pores or skin free of blackheads: results vary from skin to skin, and we prefer to explain clearly what you can expect.
Frequently asked questions
Does HydraFacial close pores?
Not permanently. It can empty congested pores and make them look less noticeable, but the underlying size depends on sebum, genetics, sun exposure and age, and it does not change with a cleanse.
Does HydraFacial remove blackheads?
Its extraction step helps remove some of the contents of clogged pores. Blackheads can come back over time, which is why your home routine matters. Results vary from skin to skin.
Are blackheads dirt?
No. They are open pores plugged with sebum and dead skin cells. The dark colour comes from that material oxidising on contact with the air, not from dirt.
Can I squeeze my blackheads at home?
It is not recommended. Squeezing them can cause infection, inflammation, dark marks or scars. If they bother you, professional extraction after assessing your skin is the more prudent choice.
Which products help prevent blackheads?
Non-comedogenic, oil-free products, a gentle cleanser used without scrubbing and a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen are usually recommended. The team will guide you according to your skin type.
Is HydraFacial suitable if I have inflamed acne?
This article is about pores and blackheads. If you have inflamed spots or active acne, we first assess it in a medical consultation and, if it does not respond to aesthetic management, the right step is to see a dermatologist.
What options are there if the pore still looks large?
After an assessment, the medical team may suggest peels, microneedling or laser, depending on your skin. No option suits everyone and results vary.
If congested pores and blackheads worry you, a consultation at Santé Madrid will help you understand which part can improve with a cleanse such as HydraFacial and which part needs a different approach. We will explain it calmly and without promises.
