Perhaps no other aspect of skin care can prevent, reduce, and potentially eliminate sun- induced and hormonal skin discolorations than the diligent use of a sunscreen. No other aspect of controlling or reducing skin discolorations is as important as the use of sunscreen, SPF 15 or greater with the UVA-protecting ingredients avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzyl – methane), ecamsule, Tinosorb, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide. Using any other product or medical treatment without also using a sunscreen is a waste of time and money. Sun exposure is one of the primary, fundamental causes of hypermelanin production and exacerbates excess melanin production from hormonal triggers such as pregnancy. Before you consider any other treatment for skin discolorations, sunscreen is unconditionally the first and most practical step. See, I told you the reality wasn’t going to be as fun as the fantasy!
(Sources: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, July 2007, pages 738-742; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, December 2006, pages 1048-1065; Skin Therapy Letter, November 2006, pages 1-6; and British Journal of Dermatology, December 1996, pages 867-875.)