Hyper pigmentation in Hispanic/Latin Skin

Hispanic/Latin skin is darker than northern European skin because of the increased amount of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment in the skin and protects the skin from sunlight. This keeps Hispanic/Latin people looking younger than white skinned people. The melanin pigment in the skin protects the skin from sunlight and slows down the aging process.

Latinos with a bronze-tone skin color tend to have delicate skin features, most likely inherited from an American Indian ancestry.

This skin type tends to get deeper pigmentation, even with minimal sun exposure. A hormonal component of this skin type makes it more likely to get hyper-pigmentation, patches of darker, uneven color all over the skin.

Causes of Irregular Pigmentation:

Excessive sun exposure
Pregnancy
Birth control pills and hormone treatment with estrogen
Inflammation from insect bites, acne, trauma, or other causes

Treatment of Irregular Pigmentation:

Do not use skin lighteners or bleaching creams containing steroids. These can cause permanent skin damage including permanent redness, thinning and blood vessel streaks. Also avoid skin lighteners or bleaching creams containing mercury as this is a poison.
Tretinoin applied daily for many months will treat irregular pigmentation.
Daily use of sunscreen will help prevent irregular pigmentation form occurring.
Products which contain hydroquinone will lighten dark areas.