Why Is My Pigment Not Fading?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The blondEST with Savanna Boda – “Why Is My Pigment Not Fading?” Episode Date: July 6, 2026 | Host: Savanna Boda

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Episode Overview

This episode of The blondEST features a rapid-fire Q&A session where Savanna Boda, “The Dallas Aesthetician,” addresses listeners’ top skincare questions, focusing on stubborn pigmentation and effective routines. Blending expert advice with her candid, relatable style, Savanna covers everything from why pigment lingers post-treatment, how to manage product purging, the use of specific serums, and practical product recommendations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Pigment Doesn’t Fade After Treatments

• Microneedling (SkinPen) and Persistent Pigmentation

  • Not hydrating skin post-microneedling and lack of proper pre/post-care are key reasons for lingering hyperpigmentation, especially in higher Fitzpatrick types.
  • Using a pigment inhibitor 4–6 weeks before treatments is crucial.
  • Recommended protocol:
    • Pre-treatment: Vivid Brightening Serum;
    • Post-treatment: Sispera Intensive (15 minutes daily) and Vivid Brightening Serum, morning and night.
  • Quote: “Probably didn’t hydrate enough with your skin. Not water. Hydrate your skin enough post-microneedling.” — Savanna (02:28)

• Burn Marks & Uneven Skin Tone

  • Use Vivid Brightening Serum and Intense Serum layered together for best fading results.
  • (03:17)

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2. Product-Specific Guidance & Skincare Routines

• Intense Serum for Rosacea/Broken Capillaries

  • Intense Serum recommended over Daily Serum for vascular issues.
  • “Intense, for sure.” — Savanna (04:06)

• Sensations with Intense Serum

  • It doesn’t sting unless applied to open/broken skin; very healing and gentle.
  • Quote: “I hate the name Intense Serum because it makes it sound like it’s gonna...burn or be intense when it’s really healing and gentle.” — Savanna (05:00)

• Smile Lines

  • Stack Do Lines with OMPRA for visible improvement.
  • (05:50)

• Switching from Prescription Tretinoin for Dryness

  • Recommendation to replace prescription tretinoin with Alpharet, which provides similar results with less dryness/irritation.
  • Combine with HIA cream and regular moisturization.
  • “You need to be on Alpharette. You won’t be dry.” — Savanna (10:16)

• Alpharet Clearing and Breakout Purging

  • Initial purging is expected; supplement with clear skin supplements and regular sulfur masks, and ice the skin to soothe.
  • If breakouts persist beyond 3–4 months, switch to regular Alpharet and layer as advised with moisturizer.
  • (10:43–11:10)

• Persistent Blackheads

  • Suggested mix: Detoxifying Scrub Mask + Oxygen Deep Pore Mask, three times a week; Maestro Revive under clearing serum; Sal C toner in the morning.
  • (11:40): "Three pumps...dime-size detox scrub...mix them together three times a week. Phenomenal."

• Top Acne-Safe, Anti-Aging Products

  • Alpharet, Empra, Intense Serum — Intense Serum first, then Empra, then Alpharet (night only).
  • (12:06)

• Lipid Serum vs. Restorative HA

  • Restorative HA: More hydrating; Lipid Serum: Better for inflammation and anti-aging; can be used together for compromised skin.
  • (12:18)

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3. Detailed Product Science & Education

• AMPRA vs. Adipo

  • AMPRA is more advanced for facial use, using a technology that shields hyaluronic acid from enzymatic breakdown for longer-lasting hydration and youthful plumpness.
  • Quote: “The alpha lipoic acid almost acts like a shield because in the skin there is an enzyme called hyaluronidase and that's what breaks down hyaluronic acid...”—Savanna (15:31)

• Preventing Product Pilling

  • Use a pea-sized amount, pat (not rub) lipid serum into the skin.
  • (16:33)

• Sunscreen Reapplication

  • Recommend SunButter Compact or Sheer Brush; compact version blurs pores and adjusts to skin tone.
  • (17:07)

• Clarifying Purging

  • Cut out dairy, shellfish, eggs. Hydrate, manage sugar, ice the skin, lipid serum for inflammation, carboxy masks, and sulfur mask for management.
  • “It’s honestly not gonna be as bad if you cut out like dairy and shellfish and eggs at the same time.” — Savanna (17:32)

• Building a Client Routine

  • Reduce inflammation, include pigment inhibitor, target actives, hydrating serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, night retinoid, and morning antioxidants. Look for products that serve multiple functions for simplicity.
  • (19:08)

• Moisturizers & Sunscreens (Favorites)

  • Glymed Plus: Oxygen Cream, Comfort Cream, and Dust It (20:59)
  • Tinted/non-tinted sunscreen: Colorscience No-Show — thin, silky, no white cast, mineral.
  • “Never has the world seen a mineral sunscreen where, like, No-Show does.” — Savanna (21:18)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Intense Serum’s Name:
  “I hate the name Intense Serum because it makes it sound like it’s gonna...burn or be intense when it’s really healing and gentle.” (05:00)

• On Sunscreen:
  “Never has the world seen a mineral sunscreen where, like, No-Show does. And that’s why they just came out with No-Show for the body.” (21:18)

• On the Complexity of Skincare:
  “You want a pigment inhibitor...even if you don’t see current pigment, you’re going to get it. You want an active, hydrating serum, moisturizer, sunscreen...a lot of these you can get more simplified if there’s a product that has multiple benefits.” (19:13)

• Skincare Candidness:
  “Start them all at once. It works better that way.” — Savanna’s direct advice on starting new actives (18:25)

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Noteworthy Timestamps

• 02:28: Explanation on pigment not fading post-microneedling
• 03:17: How to fade a burn mark
• 04:06: Serum recommendation for rosacea
• 10:16: Switching from tretinoin to Alpharet for dryness
• 11:40: Blackhead regimen
• 12:06: Top three anti-aging, acne-safe products
• 15:31: Detailed science behind AMPRA’s superiority
• 17:07: Sunscreen reapplication tips
• 19:13: How to build a client routine

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Language & Tone

Savanna’s delivery is informal, humorous, and deeply practical, combining technical expertise with everyday realism. Listeners are treated to both advanced skincare insights and relatable “mom life” moments, making advanced beauty advice feel accessible and authentic.

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For anyone struggling with persistent pigmentation or seeking to optimize their regimen with science-backed products, this episode delivers actionable, expert insight—served up with Savanna’s signature wit and warmth.

Transcript

[A]

Hi, guys. Welcome to another episode of the Blondes podcast.

[B]

That one make this add to cart. I have to get my son school stuff. This year. We're doing sharks.

[A]

Oh, that's Ryan.

[B]

Oh, well, it's not Ryan. It's Cyrus. See, it won't add to my cart. Today we're gonna do a Q A to lighten the mood from last Monday. Um, but yeah, I hope you guys had fun going down like conspiracy theory rabbit holes. I think I've talked about the Tartarian civilization before on here. That's one of my favorites. And I do believe also aliens. Tyler, they're not in space. NASA is to throw us off. It's underwater. We have not discovered most of the ocean. You got it. Perfect. Did you know that aliens are in the ocean?

[A]

Oh, well, that would be real.

[B]

Atlantis was real.

[A]

I can't disagree.

[B]

He has to get pillow. This kid's not gonna nap. And a blanket. Good luck. I got him into one of the hardest schools. It was to get in. Had to sell my soul. But I'm so excited for him to be at the school. It's gonna be such a good school for him. They denied me back in the day because of my depression, which is kind of sad. But how big do you think a toddler pillow needs to be for nap time? It has to have his name on it too. Like this to me looks like a throw pillow. Look at this.

[A]

But I feel like throw pillows aren't

[B]

comfortable like that pillow cover. That looks like it's big cotton. Okay, let's go.

[A]

Okay, well, today we're gonna be doing a little rapid fire Q and A

[B]

while I do my mom stuff. It's never ending. Guys, you're lucky that we even have this podcast still.

[A]

I. I don't know how we. How we still do it, honestly. What'd you say?

[B]

Cotton.

[A]

Solid.

[B]

Okay. But is this okay? Monogram pillow cover. So are they gonna give me an option to buy it with a case?

[A]

You mean with an insert?

[B]

Yeah, whatever. That we'll see. Dimensions in care. I would get the 2214. 2214. Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, continue.

[A]

Why am I still seeing dark spots after skin pen?

[B]

Probably didn't hydrate enough with your skin. Not water. Hydrate your skin enough post micro needling. Especially if you're a higher Fitzpatrick. That's like a huge thing. You might have not had the correct post care or pre care. You need to make sure you're on a pigment inhibitor, especially if you have more melanin in your Skin. No, we want that color. That's why it's a Dakota and white. You want to make sure that you're on a pigment inhibitor before you do that treatment for at least four to six weeks. I like Vivid Brightening Serum. You can also use that post treatment as well. So what to do now? Get the Sispera Intensive on our website. 15 minutes a day and then Vivid Brightening Serum morning and night and it'll go away as soon as possible.

[A]

Burn mark from a few months ago. That's a different color to my skin. How can I fade it?

[B]

Vivid Brightening Serum and Intense serum. Intense serum first. Vivid brightening on top. Okay, now we need to get a blanket. Pottery Barn, kids, guys, best school stuff. But not if you're in my zip code. Don't fucking you dare get the shark one, because that's for my son. You can't have it. Your kid can't match my kid. He needs to be special.

[A]

Would Cyrus freak out?

[B]

No, I would freak out. I just want him to have his own thing.

[A]

Well, of course, but I didn't know if Cyrus would be like, no, he'd

[B]

probably love it actually. But I don't. I want him to, like, you know, options are limited these days. I want him to feel special. And I don't want to, like, have to, like. I don't know. I need to find a shark blanket. Okay, continue.

[A]

Intense Serum or Daily Serum for rosacea and broken capillaries. Ben using Intense?

[B]

Intense, for sure.

[A]

Does the Intense serum give a stingly feeling like other microneedling serums do?

[B]

It's not a microneedling serum.

[A]

Are there microneedling serums?

[B]

They're not microneedling serums. I mean, there's like, things you can needle into the skin, but you're not supposed to needle plate it into the skin. You do it last. They have a shark towel. They don't have a fucking shark blanket.

[A]

So do you think there's a little tingly feeling?

[B]

Not at all. Not unless you're putting it on, like an open wound that you're trying to heal. You might have a little bit of that, but you're not going to get that from anything else if your barrier is compromised. Maybe, but it's going to help your barrier. It's not. I hate the name Intense Serum because. Oh, my God, look how cute that shark lamp is, guys. So cute. Too bad his room's construction themed. Can't get that.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Shut up.

[A]

Hammerhead bath towel.

[B]

It's a hammerhead bath towel, guys. That's so fucking cute. He's getting that too. That's on sale for $44 right now. Personalize? Absolutely. Yeah. I don't like the name Intense Serum because it makes it sound like, oh, my God, it has a fin. Ryan would love this. I wish they made adult versions for your boyfriend. I don't like the name because I feel like it makes it sound like it's like an active or it's gonna like, hurt or burn or be like intense when it's like really healing and gentle. Yeah, it's kind of annoying.

[A]

Not gonna lie. But the results are intense.

[B]

The results are intense.

[A]

Will AMPRA help with my smile lines?

[B]

Absolutely. Do lines and then OMPRA on top and you're going to look so good. They want a nap mat, not a blanket. They want a nap mat, they should say a nap mat, not a blanket. Say a nap mat or a blanket, because those are two different things.

[A]

I don't know anything. I don't know anything about kids, y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

What the hell is a nap mat?

[B]

It's a mat to nap.

[A]

Did they have those when we were kids?

[B]

I don't remember napping.

[A]

Yeah, me neither.

[B]

I remember. Well, I do remember nap time. I would just pull out every single one of my lashes cuz I hated it. Well, now this is going to ruin my theme because there's not a shark nap mat.

[A]

He said, zerus, you're sleeping on the ground. Honey, you have a blanket, you have a pillow.

[B]

Okay. Actually, there is.

[A]

Oh, there is.

[B]

Yeah. But it's not the same theme that I wanted. It doesn't really go, but it'll work.

[A]

I'm assuming he'll need a NAT mat.

[B]

You would assume, right? Unfortunately. Okay, continue. Next question.

[A]

You should tell them they should specify NATMA because Cyrus would have been sleeping on the cold, hard ground.

[B]

He would have. Well, now I think I want to change my theme to Spider Man.

[A]

I'm going to say being dramatic, but not really. Okay. Plated body. Will you be carrying it?

[B]

Yes, absolutely.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

We're just not doing that stupid promo that they're doing.

[A]

Yeah, a little.

[B]

No one liked it.

[A]

If you remember back to our conversation last time. Just some marketing things. They don't work well in our clinic. Like the promo for this launch was we could get 12 boxes and hopefully

[B]

by me saying it's stupid, they'll never do it again.

[A]

I told them, but we all told them we could only get 12 boxes. And with our E Commerce and our, like, clinic, like, client level, like, it wouldn't have even made Sense for us to carry it in clinic, let alone like start promoting it. Because we would be promoting it and not have any inventory to sell. And actually you couldn't even sell it. Like it was just getting giving it away for free. If they bought an intense and a refill.

[B]

Now I'm going to do a Spider man backpack and a Spider Man. Not mat.

[A]

I thought they had a shark one.

[B]

No, but he's not gonna like, I want the sharks.

[A]

Oh, he wants Spider Man. Somebody just said epicutus hydrobiome.

[B]

Just like so like everyone's gonna do. You know what I mean? It's like cooler to be the shark kid and not the Spider man kid, you know?

[A]

That is cooler.

[B]

It is like it's cool.

[A]

Would he freak out? He just said he wanted a shark

[B]

birthday because he doesn't know the options. He knew and that's why my mom guilt here is like if he was seeing this, he would have wanted Spider Man. But the fact that like, you know, I just gave him one option. I said, would you want sharks? Said yes. But if I said you want sharks or Spider man, he's going to probably say Spider Man. It could shock me. But he's probably going to say Spider man and Spider man. Stuff like lunchbox and things like it's just not as cool. I'm not going to lie. And more kids are more likely to have the spider. Don't ask Jenny to ask him why.

[A]

What if he says sharks?

[B]

He's not.

[A]

But are you doing Spider man or are you doing sharks?

[B]

I'm gonna be a good mom and do Spider man probably, but that's what I'm saying.

[A]

Should we ask sharks? Okay. Yeah. Okay.

[B]

This is the shit I stress about guys that keeps me up at night.

[A]

Spider man, sharks.

[B]

I mean it's not this like there's multiple different themes of Spider Man. And you can go class here. You can go like, oh, what? She said Spider man, obviously. I knew that was gonna happen. Tyler,

[A]

when did he get into Spider Man?

[B]

It's just like a phase. It'll end. Sharks are cooler though.

[A]

By the time school starts, he's gonna want sharks.

[B]

No, no. It'll be like a quite a long situation.

[A]

Okay. Using prescription Tretino, Azelaic, Pace Reality hydrobalance, lipid serum and Crampeptide. Still dry. Any Rex switch that prescription Tread out girl.

[B]

Yeah, you need to be on Alpharette. You won't be dry. And you'll get the same results because it's the exact same, just less dry, flaky, peely irritation and so that's what I would do. And then hia cream

[A]

cramp pied.

[B]

Why do they give me so many font options?

[A]

Dude, cran peptide to me never felt that thick.

[B]

It's not.

[A]

I started alpharette clearing and feel like it might be breaking me out more. Or is it just purging?

[B]

Purging. And what you need to do is take the clear skin supplements on our website and then also sulfur mask two times a week will help so much. And then ice morning and night, an ice cube.

[A]

But if it's been longer than three months, then you may be like Savannah and me and not do well with salicylic acid.

[B]

Yeah. If it's been like four or five months and you're still having like irritation and breakouts, switch to regular alpharette and then do 2.5 acne matte on top, wait 10 minutes and then do trio moisturizer and your skin will be flawless. Do you like this font or do you like this font? How do you like this font?

[A]

What was the. I think I like the first one. Oh, that one's cute. No, I like that one.

[B]

This one?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, me too. Just a day in the life.

[A]

I use clearing serum but my blackheads are still so bad. What else could I use?

[B]

Detoxifying scrub mask, Oxygen deep pore mask, three pumps of the oxygen deep pore mask, dime size detox scrub. Mix them together three times a week. Phenomenal. Also maestro revive underneath your clearing serum will help so much. And then Sal C toner in the morning.

[A]

Top 3 Acne Safe Products for for anti aging Acne safe Acne safe products

[B]

for anti aging Alpharette Empra Intense serum Intense serum first, then Opera then Alpharet Alpha only at night.

[A]

Lipid serum Verse Hydrinity restorative Hair lipid

[B]

serum versus restorative ha Restorative HA is more hydrating for me, but lipid's better for like inflammation. I like them both. They work amazing together. You can do one or the other. But honestly, if you have like really compromised skin and dryness. Both. Also lipids. More anti aging restorative. I would say more hydrating

[A]

treatment for redness after bleph.

[B]

I would do. It's under your eye or on. You can lift. I would do airlace and then I would also do the glacial glide difference

[A]

between adipo and ampra.

[B]

So AMPRA is going to be more for the face and the technology is completely different. Both of them are trying to. It's just different technology. Like one's ha, the other one's Working on fat cells. So completely different. What would you say?

[A]

I would say, yeah,

[B]

rip to this fucking show.

[A]

Here's my thing. And I don't know if I'm gonna get in trouble for saying this, however, I think that we brought on Adipo.

[B]

That's what I was gonna say, but I thought you'd get mad at me. I'm glad you're saying it. And also, Adipo's saying some crazy stuff sometimes that I don't really align with or like, it's a good product. But like we, okay, we knew about Ombra coming like right when we placed our order for Adapt. But like we couldn't talk about umbre. And we're like, volumes. Yeah, it was a year out and Umbrella was like such a volume in general was something that we were needing to find a product to fill a hole in our product for portfolio. And so we're like, adipo will do for now. Because like, literally when they brought us to headquarters and they're like, you're the first person to hear this. Umbrella. We were like, fuck our lives.

[A]

We just like, we just signed our

[B]

name, like literally just paid like $20,000 in Adapo.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But it was the best thing that there was.

[A]

And it's still like not. We're not saying it's not good anymore.

[B]

It's a good, affordable price point for people that can't afford umbre. But if you want the best, Ombre is going to be it.

[A]

Yes. So that is what Adipose.

[B]

Let's ask if we still need a fucking pillow.

[A]

Does it come with a pillow? I would still get a pillow.

[B]

It's a critter, not matte. It's giving. That looks plush.

[A]

No, but like.

[B]

Oh, yeah, let me read, let me read. Keep going.

[A]

Um, yeah, I would say Adipo is working on design with a built in pillow, stimulating those fat cells to re. Oomph. And so again, it's at a lower price point. But restorative ha is like redefining what hyaluronic acid is. They combined it, conjugated it with alpha lipoic acid. So it's really cool technology. It's going to. The problem with typical hyaluronic acid is that it doesn't get deep down into the skin. And by time it gets down, the ha chains break. And that's the thing in youthful skin, the chains of hyaluronic acid in the skin are extremely long. And that's what gives the support to your collagen and elastin to keep the skin plump. And so once those Ha. Chains start to break, you start using hyaluronic acid serums. But those chains can't remain intact in the skin. So you're not going to see that true benefits of plumping the skin from a dermal level. And that is what AMPA solves. So it's going to. The alpha lipoic acid almost acts like a shield because in the skin there is an enzyme called hyaluronidase and that's what breaks down hyaluronic acid in the skin. And the alpha lipoic acid protects these chains in amphora from that break breaking down. And so when there is more long chain hyaluronic acids in the skin, it's able to function better. The collagen and elastin is able to stick around and thrive. And so that is why you're going to see such amazing results from Ampra and it is going to be the better option, especially for the face. Yeah, that was long winded, but I had a lot to say. How do I prevent products from pilling on my face? I use skin Better science Epicure and Epicutus products.

[B]

Well, if you're using lipid serum, it's probably lipid serum and you're probably using way too much. Make sure you use a pea size amount and make sure you're patting it into the skin, not rubbing it and then you should be good.

[A]

If I use prescription azelaic acid, does it go before or after alto, advanced and even tone?

[B]

Say it one more time.

[A]

Prescription azelaic acid before or after alto and even tone? I don't know how that goes.

[B]

I'd go first.

[A]

Yeah. What should I use to reapply sunscreen throughout the day?

[B]

Compact or sheer brush. But the sun butter compact is my favorite because it blurs pores, fine lines and wrinkles, reduces redness. It comes in tinted and sheer and the tinted adapts to your exact skin tone, which is wonderful and we love it.

[A]

Can you talk about purging nervous? To use clearing serum, use actives. But I use actives but not a retinoid.

[B]

It's honestly not gonna be as bad if you cut out like dairy and shellfish and eggs at the same time. Hydrate a ton, lower your sugar levels. Take the clear skin supplements. Ice your skin with an ice cube morning and night. Or the ice gloves if you want to be bougie. And then use lipid serum to help with the inflammation. And also carboxy moves helps with purging. You use it right after you use it. Clearing serum or Alpharette. And then I would Also sulfur mask, like I said earlier.

[A]

Hydra remedy under or on top of lipid serum on top. Mm. Can you use a moisturizer on top of Face Reality Acne Med?

[B]

Yes, just wait 10 minutes so you don't deactivate it.

[A]

Can I start all skin better products at once or slowly one by one

[B]

and start them all at once? It works better that way.

[A]

Actually, I can only get one product for pigment. Which is best? Face and body vivid. Is there an at home peel you recommend?

[B]

Peel pads from Skin Better 20% acid blend. They're phenomenal. Okay, I'm finally done with this. It's like the most intricate thing I've ever done.

[A]

If you're pregnant. Active peel system from this clinical.

[B]

So good. Okay.

[A]

Can I use a product under my omnilux mask to make it work better?

[B]

You could use lipid serum under, but I wouldn't do anything else other than lipid.

[A]

Advice on building routines for clients. Sometimes I feel like I struggle with it most.

[B]

You want to always reduce inflammation because that's a precursor to every skin concern. You want a pigment inhibitor. If they need pigment inhibitation, which I think everyone does. Even if you don't see current pigment, you're going to get it. You want an active that targets a specific concern. So if you're trying to do aging or acne or pigment compromised skin, you want a hydrating serum, you want a moisturizer and you want a sunscreen. And then a retinoid at night, antioxidant too in the morning. And a lot of these you can get more simplified if there's like an ingredient or product that like has multiple benefits. Like lipid serum for example. If they're not super duper dry, that could technically be their hydrating serum. And also for inflammation. And then let's say like all too advanced. That also helps with inflammation. It's not my first choice, but it is like good for inflammation. But it's also an antioxidant. So a lot of like products can like cross over, but you just really want to make sure you're hitting those key pillars and then cleanser and then toner if they really need it. Or a hydrating mist.

[A]

Which Glymed plus moisturizer would you recommend?

[B]

Love me. I'm going to be mama. The fuck. Spider man got all of his school stuff plus a shark towel for 300 bucks. That's not bad for everything being monogrammed. And I got a knapsack, I got a water bottle, I got lunchbox, I got a bento little box thing. For the lunchbox, I got a hot, cold thermos. Thermos. I got backpack. Got a lot for 300 bucks.

[A]

Which glymed, plus moisturizers.

[B]

Would you recommend oxygen cream, comfort cream, and dust it.

[A]

Last question. What is your favorite sunscreen that is not tinted no Show?

[B]

It's the color science. We love her.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That's what I use on Cyrus. That's what my boyfriend uses.

[A]

It's so, like, thin and silky, and it really is no show, and it makes you glow, and it's mineral. Like, never has the world seen a mineral sunscreen where, like, no show does. And that's why they just came out with no show for the body, because mineral, that's the worst mineral sunscreen and, like, Hawaii and stuff like that. And you're trying to tan, but you look literally like a ghost. I'm so excited for no show body, but I think that's all we got today, y'. All. We love you.

[B]

We love you.

[A]

Happy Monday. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week. And if we saw you last week in Vegas, we hope you said hi.

[B]

We hope you said hi.

[A]

Bye.

[B]

Bye.