RF Microneedling vs. CO2 Laser for Pores and Texture

I recommend choosing treatment for pores and skin texture around your recovery needs, rather than whether a device is described as available only in Korea. A small comparison published in Acta Dermato-Venereologica in 2025 found no statistically significant difference in acne-scar improvement after one session of RF microneedling or ablative fractional CO2 laser, but reported milder side effects and shorter recovery with RF microneedling.

Hello, I’m Dr. Kim Yeonjin, lead physician at UH CELL Clinic’s Gangnam branch. If you are visiting Seoul on a short schedule, I recommend considering what this comparison says about recovery before focusing on a device name.

One treatment, different recovery burdens

The 2025 Acta Dermato-Venereologica study, conducted with ethics approval from the First Hospital of China Medical University, enrolled 30 people with atrophic acne scars, meaning depressed acne scars. Each participant received non-insulated RF microneedling on one randomly assigned side of the face and ablative fractional CO2 laser on the other, with one treatment per side.

The researchers found no statistically significant difference in scar improvement between the two methods and reported a decrease of about 28% in pore measurements. Pain and increases in redness and melanin measurements were more pronounced on the laser-treated side. The research team concluded that RF microneedling caused milder side effects and involved a shorter recovery period.

I would treat these results as a discussion point, not a promise that either treatment will produce the same outcome for every patient.

Pore changes may involve more than reduced oil

In the same study, oil production decreased by about 40%, but returned to its original level after the first month. The researchers interpreted the pore improvement as being more closely related to collagen regeneration than to reduced oil production.

They also reported that scar scores decreased by about 20% at one month and about 30% at six months. These findings describe changes developing over several months after a single treatment, rather than an immediate final result. The collagen explanation was the researchers’ interpretation, not a guarantee of an individual response.

What the study can and cannot tell you

I would not apply these findings to everyone concerned about visible pores. This was a small study of people with acne scars, not a study specifically of people whose only concern was pores.

The research team also noted tradeoffs: RF microneedling used disposable tips, cost more and took longer to perform. Their recommendation was to weigh effectiveness, cost and side effects together. A lighter recovery burden does not settle every part of the decision.

Planning treatment at our Gangnam branch

Our Gangnam clinic is inside the UH FLAT SIGNATURE Gangnam hotel, and Potenza RF microneedling is among our listed treatments. We plan treatment after assessing each person’s skin rather than assigning a uniform package.

If your visit is short, I recommend sharing both the change you hope to achieve and the recovery time your schedule can accommodate. Skin reactions and recovery times vary from person to person, so those practical limits belong in the treatment discussion alongside your skin concerns.