Readers in Chelsea, Michigan can start on melasma with what they do each day, before any clinic quote. For the condition itself, see melasma, also called facial pigmentation.
Protect your skin every day
www.aad.org gives the reason first: "Since sunlight triggers melasma, it is important to protect your skin every day, even on cloudy days and after swimming or sweating." Three situations are named in that sentence: every day, cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Build your routine around them.
Visible light counts too
The same publisher adds: "Visible light has been shown to worsen melasma, especially for people with darker skin tones." Factor that into your daily plan, especially if your skin is darker. Dark marks from other causes follow a different pattern, covered in a page on postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Making it a routine
Pick a time each morning and keep it the same.
Asking about a firm quote
If you add treatment later, ask whether the quote includes follow-up visits. The daily-habit statements above come from the melasma self-care page, if you want to read the rest.