Abstract
The US Latino population is growing at an impressive pace; by 2050 it is estimated that 103 million Latinos will reside in the USA, accounting for almost a quarter of the population. This population is racially, geographically, politically, culturally and socioeconomically diverse. Latinos in the USA comprise a heterogeneous group that includes individuals representing the complete spectrum of skin colors and Fitzpatrick skin phototypes. A tendency to long-lasting pigmentary alteration is characteristic of skin of color. Disorders of hyperpigmentation are among the most commonly diagnosed skin conditions in Latino patients. Treatment of all dermatoses in these patients should be undertaken with an appreciation of hyperpigmenting tendencies. Familial and genetic skin diseases that occur more commonly in Latino populations include actinic prurigo and Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome. Acquired environmentally, culturally and/or behaviorally mediated dermatoses seen in Latino populations include capsaicin dermatitis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, acanthosis nigricans and prayer callouses. Rates of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer are increasing in Latinos in the USA and worldwide.