On the fade cream question...

Before I moved I had been using a sample of Lustra AF given to me by my dermatologist. When I ran out I asked my best friend's husband (who is a dermatologist in Seattle) if he had any samples "lying around". He told me that he stopped prescribing it a long time ago because there were so many O/C creams that did the same thing for far less money. He told me to look for the highest percentage of Hydroquinone I could find. The Lustra I had been using had a 4% solution of Hydroquinone and was about $40 an ounce. I bought something called Nadinola (3% solution) at my local drug store for about $5 for 2.25 ounces. It takes a while but it does work. BUT, you have to be very careful when you are in the sun because the discoloration from the sun damage will come back.

So, no sun for me! I will give the L'Oreal product a shot.

It's going to be crowded in the shade! :)