Pores Aren’t Doors… And Other Things I Say That You’re Finally Listening To!
- Devine Skin & Laser Salon
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
Right… I am officially going to attempt a positive blog.
No moaning. No ranting. No “don’t get me started” moments.
…ha ha ha ha… as if.
But I am going to try, because lately something has been happening in the clinic that genuinely makes me ridiculously happy—and I don’t say that lightly.
You’ve actually been listening to me 👀
Now, this is the part that confuses me slightly…
The majority of you are actually doing exactly what I suggest. Using your skincare properly. Protecting your skin. Coming back with better results.
So why—WHY—do I always focus on the one person who goes off-piste, uses something random they found online, and then turns up wondering why their skin is having a full-blown meltdown?
And actually… why do we do that as humans in general?
Why do we zoom in on the one negative thing, instead of all the little positive wins that are happening all the time? Because if we’re honest, the positives usually outweigh the bad by miles… yet it’s the bad that sticks, isn’t it?
Are our brains wired like this? Trained over time? A bit of both?
It’s something I’ve really started thinking about lately—and I have a feeling this might need a proper deep dive… so don’t worry, that might just be my next blog 😏
But for now, I’m going to try (really try) to focus on what’s actually going right.
Because the truth is… most of you are brilliant. And I need to say that more.
The sunscreen story that made my day ☀️
One of you came in today after a lovely holiday in Jamaica with your family and said: “I need to buy more sunscreen.”
And I’m thinking… hang on… you only bought that recently?
“Oh yes,” you said, “but my daughter nicked mine and has been using it every day.”
Now THIS made me so happy I could’ve hugged you (professionally, of course 😄).
Your daughter is 13.
13
And she’s already using SPF daily and understanding why it matters.
Do I care that she’s using a more expensive one than she probably needs at that age? No. Not one bit.
Because she’s using it. Every. Single. Day.
That is how habits are formed. That is how skin is protected long-term. That is how we avoid problems before they even start.
(And yes… slight bonus for me as well—another sunscreen sale… I’m not completely selfless 😆)
Things you say that secretly make my day
You say little things in the clinic, and honestly, I wish I could write them all down because they do stick with me.
Things like:
“I can’t believe how much better my skin feels”
“I didn’t realise SPF mattered that much”
“I’ve stopped picking my skin!” (miracles do happen)
“I actually enjoy doing my skincare now”
“I didn’t buy that TikTok trend… I heard your voice in my head”
That last one… big kiss 👌
And then… one I absolutely loved recently…
“What makeup are you wearing? You’re glowing…”
A client came in and said: “My husband looked at me the other day and said… you look really bright today… what makeup are you wearing? You’re glowing.”
Now I love this… because do you know what the answer was?
No makeup.
Just healthy skin.
Honestly… that is exactly what we’re aiming for.
Not covering, Not masking, Not piling on layers trying to fake it.
Just skin that’s hydrated, balanced and functioning properly.
Because when your skin is healthy… it shows. Other people notice. And you don’t need to rely on makeup to feel good about it.
And THAT… is what makes me just as happy as the results themselves.
And now… pores (not paws 🐶)
Right, let’s address the big one that keeps popping up lately:
“I don’t like my pores.”
“My pores look open.”
“I want my pores to disappear.”
Disappear? Where are they going exactly? Packing a suitcase and off to Spain?
Let’s get this straight…
Pores are not doors. They do not open and close. They are not sitting there going, “ Shall I be open today? Or closed? Bit breezy, I might shut.”
That is not how skin works.
So what actually ARE pores?
Your pores are tiny openings in the skin that:
release oil (sebum)
help regulate temperature
allow your skin to function properly
Without them… your skin simply wouldn’t work. End of.
So when you say you want “no pores”… What you’re actually asking for is… no functioning skin.
Bit dramatic, don’t you think? 😄
Why do pores look bigger then?
Now THIS is where it gets interesting (and where I sound like I know what I’m talking about—which I do 😉).
Pores can appear larger because of:
1. Oil production
More oil = more visible pores - Simple.
2. Dehydration
Yes, dehydrated—not dry.
When your skin lacks water, it loses that plump, smooth look, so pores appear more obvious…and so do fine lines and wrinkles.
This is the bit people forget.
Dehydrated skin will make you look older. Not because you suddenly are older… but because the skin isn’t functioning properly.
Whereas hydrated, healthy skin? It reflects light better, looks smoother, fresher… and yes… younger.
No fillers needed.
Just skin doing what it’s meant to do.
3. Loss of elasticity
As we age (gracefully, of course), collagen and elastin reduce, so the skin doesn’t hold as tightly around the pore.
4. Blockages
Oil + dead skin + debris = congestion
This is where we get things like blackheads and blocked pores .And yes… before you ask…
Removing blackheads is one of my absolute favourite things to do in the clinic. There is something very satisfying about it… I’m not even going to pretend otherwise 😄
BUT (and it’s a big but)…
Ideally, after a few treatments and the right skincare, there should be less and less to remove… or even none at all.
That’s always the goal.
Because as much as I enjoy clearing them…I’d much rather your skin not be producing them in the first place.
And here’s the bit you don’t always want to hear…
A lot of this comes from inside the body.
Hormones. Sugar. Stress. Diet.
Yes… I said sugar. Again.
And before you all say: “I don’t have sugar!”
We then go through your week and suddenly it’s:
“Oh… just a few biscuits”
“A couple of coffees with syrup”
“A cheeky fizzy drink”
And my personal favourite…“It’s only Diet Coke.”
Oh no… don’t get me started 😏
Just because it says “no sugar” doesn’t mean it’s not interfering with your body in other ways. But that… is a whole other blog (brace yourselves).
So can you shrink pores?
You cannot remove them.You cannot close them.
But you can make them look:
smoother
clearer
less visible
By keeping your skin:
clean
hydrated
balanced
protected
(See? Everything I say comes back to the basics. Funny that.)
The positive bit (yes, really)
What I’m actually seeing more and more of lately is this:
✨ Better skin
✨ Better habits
✨ More understanding
✨ Less panic over every tiny change
And most importantly…
✨ You trusting the process
That’s the bit that makes me happiest.
Final thoughts (before I start moaning again)
So maybe… just maybe…
I should stop focusing on the 1% that don’t listen……and start celebrating the 99% of you that do.
Because you are the reason:
results happen
confidence grows
and my job is still something I absolutely love after all these years
(See? That was quite positive, wasn’t it?)
Don’t worry though… normal service—with a bit of moaning—will resume shortly 😄
Did you enjoy this blog? 💛
If you did… let me know
Press the little heart icon and maybe even leave a comment… because I genuinely love reading them.
It lets me know you’re listening, you’re reading, and you’re actually taking notice of my rants, my moans… and (occasionally 😏) my knowledge too.
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