The difference between “Instagram skin” and real skin
If you spend any time on social media, it’s easy to believe that perfect, poreless, glass-like skin is the norm.
But here’s the truth: real skin has texture. And healthy skin does not look filtered. Texture is normal.
Pores, breakouts, fine lines, freckles, scars, stretch marks, and uneven tone are all part of being human. Skin is a living organ it moves, heals, reacts, and changes over time.
Many of the images we see online are taken:
In perfect lighting
Immediately after treatment
With makeup, oil, or balm applied
Or with filters and editing (even subtle ones)
None of that reflects what skin looks like day to day and it shouldn’t be the standard we judge ourselves by.
Healing isn’t instant and that’s a good thing Many advanced treatments work by stimulating the skin to repair itself, which means there is always a healing phase involved.
During healing, skin may:
Look red, dry, darker, or uneven
Feel tight, sensitive, or textured
Go through stages before improving
This is especially true for treatments like microneedling, ipl skin treatments, peel’s, scar and stretch mark reduction, cosmetic tattooing, and other advanced skin therapies. Healing takes time and the best results are often seen weeks or even months later, not immediately.
We’re also seeing more clients particularly teens and young adults coming through with what is actually normal hormonal acne.
During adolescence, the body is adjusting to new rhythms of oil production, stress response, and hormonal fluctuation. Breakouts during this time are often part of the skin learning to regulate itself. As females especially, significant hormonal shifts continue well beyond the teenage years, meaning fluctuations in the skin can still be completely normal into early adulthood.
In some cases, medication may be appropriate, but it isn’t always the be-all and end-all. Supporting the skin barrier, calming inflammation, and allowing time for balance to return is often just as important.
Before & after photos need context, before and after images can be helpful, but only when they’re shown with honesty and explanation.
What you don’t always see:
How long after the treatment the photo was taken
How many sessions were required
What stage of healing the skin was in
What aftercare and maintenance was followed
Without this context, before & afters can create unrealistic expectations and that isn’t fair to clients or practitioners. At our salon, we prioritise education over perfection. We share results when skin is properly healed and when the full story can be told not just the highlight reel.
Real skin. Real results. Real confidence.
There is an unrealistic expectation that skin should be completely clear, smooth, and flawless 24/7 and that simply isn’t realistic, especially during periods of hormonal change or healing.
Skin is allowed to fluctuate. Skin is allowed to have texture. And skin does not need to be “perfect” to be healthy.
Our approach has always been about supporting healthy skin, long-term improvement, and realistic outcomes not chasing trends or filtered perfection.
If you’ve ever felt discouraged because your skin doesn’t look like what you see online, please know this: Your skin is not failing. It’s doing exactly what skin is meant to do.
And when cared for properly, real skin can be incredibly beautiful.