Prophylactic management is often the most effective means of prevention. Avoidance of sun exposure and use of high-SPF sunscreens (50+) can prevent the development of melasma. In one study of 200 Moroccan women who applied SPF-50+ sunscreen daily during pregnancy, less than 3% developed melasma. Although the study did not include its own control arm, this is well below the established rates of development in pregnancy (15-50%).[15]