You know those brown patches on your skin that just seem to pop up out of nowhere? One morning you wake up and notice a patch of skin on your cheek that's a little darker than the rest. That patchy, uneven skin tone is called hyperpigmentation, and it's a common skincare concern.

Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone occurs when melanin (the brown pigment that produces skin color) deposits in one area. Freckles, age spots, and other dark patches on the skin are all types of hyperpigmentation. Although not a medical concern, these dark patches on the skin can cause emotional stress and self-consciousness. Men and women are equally prone to hyperpigmentation, and anyone of any skin color can suffer this condition.

Hyperpigmented skin tends to get darker with exposure to the sun. This is because melanin absorbs the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays in an effort to protect the skin from overexposure. As a result, you get a tan on the areas of your body that are already hyperpigmented. If you have freckles, age spots, or patches of dark skin on your face or other parts of your body, these become darker, too.

Although the best defense against hyperpigmentation is staying out of the sun, we know this isn't a viable suggestion when summer rolls around. Keep in mind that sun damage can occur any time of the year, so sunscreen is necessary every single day. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it's "broad spectrum," meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays.

If you already have areas of hyperpigmentation that leave you feeling a little less than your best self, there are options for fading the uneven patches to reveal the brighter, more even skin tone underneath. Skincare products like the SkinMedica LYTERA Skin Brightening Complex, can reduce and prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation to even skin tone. Designed for all skin types, these hyperpigmentation products can truly help your skin look better so you feel better.