I'm worried about pigmentation.

I used to hear a lot about how my skin looked great just by washing my face and applying lotion. However, I started neglecting sunscreen while enjoying outdoor activities, and suddenly my skin tone started to look dull. I noticed pigmentation around my cheekbones in particular. At first, I thought it was just from fatigue, but it didn't go away with time; it actually seemed to get darker. Every time I look in the mirror, I miss my clear skin and regret not taking care of it sooner. People around me say they don't notice it, but to me, this pigmentation is particularly noticeable, and it's causing me a lot of stress. I searched online and found that there are laser treatments and many whitening cosmetics, but I'm at a loss where to start. Would a consultation with a dermatologist be the quickest way to address this, or can home remedies be enough to fade my pigmentation? If anyone has had a similar experience or found effective treatments, please recommend them. I'm curious to know what methods you all use to manage this.