Where to get reliable pore-tightening treatment in Ho Chi Minh City? Methods and costs
Pores can look smaller, but they cannot disappear. This page covers how to choose where to get treated, which evidence-based approaches are available, what makes costs vary, and how to book a consultation at BonBoz Clinic in District 3.
To get pores looking tighter at a reputable place in Ho Chi Minh City, you can visit BonBoz Clinic (66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward, formerly District 3). It is a Dermatology Specialty Clinic with operating licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, and Specialist Level I physician Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha sees patients in person. The doctor first uses skin analysis to tell enlarged pores apart from pitted acne scars. Only then does she choose between a prescription care regimen, comedone extraction, laser toning or RF microneedling. The clinic has not published a separate price range for pore tightening; the cost is quoted after the consultation. One thing to be clear about from the start: pores can become smaller and neater, but they cannot disappear.
Why do pores look enlarged, and why can't they be "erased"?
The follicle opening widens when the sebaceous gland produces a lot of oil and sebum plugs build up in the follicle and push the opening wider. When the skin loses collagen and elasticity with age or sun exposure, the follicle wall no longer tightens back as it used to. DermNet lists further factors: follicle size, acne, the use of comedogenic products, ageing and sun damage. In women, pore size can fluctuate with the menstrual cycle. Baseline size is determined by genetics, so a reasonable goal is to keep the follicles clean, neat and less noticeable.
DermNet also notes that treatments aimed at shrinking pores are generally not very effective. The approaches it records include avoiding comedogenic cosmetics, chemical peels, topical retinoids, and physical methods such as lasers and RF microneedling. So any place that promises "instant tightening" or "complete shrinking" is a warning sign.
Enlarged pores or pitted acne scars? Tell them apart before choosing a treatment
Enlarged pores sit exactly at the follicle openings and are evenly distributed. They usually come with sebum plugs or blackheads on the nose, inner cheeks and T-zone. Pitted acne scars are depressions with an edge that can appear anywhere, and they result from collagen loss after inflamed acne. Both can be present on the cheeks, and they are managed differently. The article how pitted acne scars differ from enlarged pores has more examples so you can recognise them yourself before a consultation.
Criteria for choosing where to tighten pores
| Criterion | How to check yourself | Information at BonBoz |
|---|---|---|
| A clinic with an operating licence for dermatology | Look up the licence number at tracuu.medinet.org.vn | 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (dermatology), 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (aesthetics), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health |
| The doctor performs skin analysis and distinguishes enlarged pores from pitted acne scars | Ask who examines you and whether skin analysis is done before a course is proposed | Specialist Level I physician Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN, more than 8 years of practice, certified in Laser and light therapy in dermatology |
| Clearly states the limits of results | Listen for "neater, not gone" rather than only promises | The doctor explains the limits before you decide |
| Offers a home-care regimen, not just machine sessions | Ask what you will use at home after the session | The prescription regimen is the foundation; procedures are added when suitable |
| Asks about current medications, pregnancy and breastfeeding | Notice whether staff ask before treating | Asked at the consultation, as this affects the choice of medication and laser |
Evidence-based ways to tighten pores
The choice depends on severity, as classified by BonBoz doctors:
| Severity | Characteristics | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Mild — noticeable only on the nose | Caused by oil and sebum plugs | Proper home care: BHA, sunscreen, cleansing |
| Moderate — inner cheeks and T-zone | Blackheads that keep coming back | Medical-standard extraction, prescription topical retinoid, a course of chemical peels or laser toning |
| Marked — with ageing and sagging | Follicle openings stretched into a teardrop shape from loss of elasticity | Collagen stimulation with RF microneedling or laser, combined with skincare |
- Prescription care regimen: BHA, topical retinoid and oil control prescribed by the doctor — the foundation of every option.
- Medical-standard blackhead extraction: cleans the follicle without stretching the opening further. See the procedure on the medical acne extraction page.
- A course of chemical peels for the T-zone — learn about the types of acid on the chemical peel page.
- [Laser toning](/phuong-phap/laser-toning-pastelle): stimulates superficial collagen and reduces oil. Over a course of sessions, skin becomes smoother and pores neater.
- [RF microneedling](/phuong-phap/rf-vi-kim): firms the follicle wall when enlarged pores come with loss of skin elasticity.
Common methods that do little: pore strips, "pore-tightening" toners, ice massage, and hard scrubbing. They give a feeling of cleanness or tightness for a few minutes but do not change follicle size. Scrubbing hard can even stimulate oil production.
Cost of pore tightening at BonBoz
The clinic has not published a separate price range for pore tightening; the cost is quoted after the consultation, before you decide. The initial consultation and skin analysis are free.
Factors that change the cost:
- Severity: mild pores on the nose usually need only prescription home care, at a low cost. Marked pores with loss of elasticity need procedures.
- Method: laser toning and RF microneedling are charged per session. The doctor outlines the course after skin analysis.
- Number of sessions: laser toning is usually a course of several sessions, 2–4 weeks apart.
- Home care: prescribed products are charged separately.
The process at BonBoz
- 1The dermatologist performs skin analysis, distinguishes enlarged pores from pitted acne scars, and assesses oiliness and the level of sun damage.
- 2If there are blackheads, medical-standard extraction is done.
- 3A home-care regimen is prescribed.
- 4A course of laser toning or RF microneedling is proposed when suitable.
A laser toning session starts with cleansing your face, and you wear protective eyewear. The doctor then sweeps the laser head evenly across the area at low energy for 15–20 minutes. You feel warmth and a light prickling, and numbing is usually not needed. Afterwards the skin is cooled, soothed and protected with sunscreen.
Recovery and restrictions
- After laser toning the skin is slightly pink for a few hours, and you can go about normal life. The next session is 2–4 weeks later. No exfoliating and no chemical peel for 1 week.
- After RF microneedling the skin is red and slightly swollen for 1–2 days. The tiny dots dry and flake off after 3–5 days — do not pick at them. No makeup for 24–48 hours, and avoid steam rooms and heavy exercise for 3 days. Follow-up is after 4–6 weeks.
- Daily sunscreen is a must: sun damages the collagen around the follicles and causes pigmentation after procedures. When outdoors, reapply every 2 hours (per the AAD).
- With proper home care, skin usually looks neater after 6–8 weeks. With laser or RF microneedling, results are clear after several sessions. Results need to be maintained with home care.
Who should not have it, and when to postpone
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: no topical retinoids. If pregnant, postpone laser toning until after delivery. Tell the doctor right away at the consultation.
- Skin that is freshly sunburned or recently tanned.
- Taking photosensitising medications (some antibiotics, oral retinoid acne medication) without having stopped for long enough.
- Active herpes infection or active dermatitis in the treatment area.
- Red, peeling or burning skin after using "pore-tightening" products on your own — the irritation needs to recover first.
- For RF microneedling: active inflamed acne or infection in the treatment area, a tendency to keloid scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker — you must tell the doctor beforehand.
If you live in another district, should you go to BonBoz in District 3?
If you live in District 1 or a district farther away, compare three things. First, the operating licence for dermatology. Second, whether the doctor performs skin analysis to tell enlarged pores from pitted acne scars. Third, whether the method suits your severity. Travel distance is only a secondary factor. Laser courses are spaced 2–4 weeks apart, so choose a place you can return to regularly; BonBoz is open on weekends too.
Book a pore consultation at BonBoz
- Address: BonBoz Clinic, 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly District 3), Ho Chi Minh City.
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 08:00–20:00.
- Phone: 0869 612 310.
- Operating licences: 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (aesthetics), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, searchable at tracuu.medinet.org.vn.
- Doctor: Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I — professional profile, Specialist Level I in dermatology, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN.
- Initial consultation and skin analysis are free. Read more about enlarged pores and how to improve them and the clinic's dermatology services.
References
- DermNet — Enlarged facial pores. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/enlarged-pores>
- DermNet — Comedonal acne. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/comedonal-acne>
- American Academy of Dermatology — How to apply sunscreen. <https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen>
Sources last accessed on 11/11/2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does pore tightening cost in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City?
BonBoz has not published a separate price range for pore tightening; the cost is quoted after the consultation, before you decide. Mild cases usually need only a prescription home-care regimen, at a low cost. Laser toning and RF microneedling are charged per session. The number of sessions is set by the doctor after skin analysis.
Which pore-tightening clinic in Saigon is trustworthy?
Don't choose from "top" lists. Check the operating licence for dermatology at tracuu.medinet.org.vn and ask who the examining doctor is. A trustworthy place will perform skin analysis to distinguish pores from pitted acne scars first, and will say clearly that pores only become neater. BonBoz Clinic holds operating licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ, and Specialist Level I physician Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha sees patients in person.
Who is a good pore-tightening doctor in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City?
The criteria should be based on specialty, practising certificate and laser experience, not on the district. Specialist Level I physician Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha holds practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN, has more than 8 years of practice, and is certified in Laser and light therapy in dermatology. The clinic is at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, formerly District 3.
Do budget "student-price" pore-tightening products work?
Toners, pore strips or ice massage only create a temporary feeling of tightness and do not change follicle structure. What helps on a small budget is gentle cleansing, BHA, sunscreen and avoiding comedogenic cosmetics. If you also have blackheads or closed comedones that keep coming back, you should get examined for a prescription regimen.
Is there any way to shrink pores completely?
No. Baseline size is determined by genetics. What can be done is to keep the follicles clean, reduce oil and improve elasticity around the follicles so pores look neater and less noticeable.
Does squeezing blackheads make pores bigger?
Squeezing incorrectly on your own can stretch the opening and cause pigmentation. DermNet also lists squeezing that ruptures the follicle as a factor that creates more comedones. Extraction done with proper medical technique helps keep the follicle clear. You can read the article on the medical-standard acne extraction procedure.
Is it safe for foreigners to treat pores in Ho Chi Minh City?
The safety criteria are the same for everyone: a facility with an operating licence, and a dermatologist who performs skin analysis and sets the laser parameters. Plan your stay accordingly, since laser toning sessions are 2–4 weeks apart and strict sun protection is needed after each session. Tell the doctor about every medication you take, especially photosensitising ones.
How long until I see results?
With proper home care, skin usually looks neater after 6–8 weeks. A course of laser or RF microneedling shows clear results after several sessions. The degree of improvement depends on your skin and how closely you follow your care routine.
Content prepared by the BonBoz Clinic professional team.
This article is for reference only and does not replace an in-person examination or a doctor's diagnosis. Actual results vary by individual condition.