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Cutis laxa is a rare disorder of the connective tissue. "Cutis" means skin and "laxa" means loose. People with this condition have skin that is very loose, sagging, and wrinkled. The skin does not have its normal "snap" or elasticity, so it hangs in folds.
read more about cutis laxa ...This condition is usually caused by a flaw in the genes that are responsible for making elastin. Elastin is a protein that gives skin and other tissues their stretch and elasticity. In cutis laxa, these elastin fibers are broken or not formed correctly. While it is usually inherited, a rare form can be acquired later in life after certain illnesses.
The most obvious symptom is the skin, which can look aged and hang loosely, especially on the face, neck, and in body folds. Unlike some other skin conditions, the skin is not extra stretchy; it is just loose. A person may also have a deep, hoarse voice because of loose vocal cords.
Yes. In some forms of cutis laxa, the problem can also affect connective tissue inside the body. Elastin is found in your lungs, blood vessels, and other organs. This can lead to serious problems like hernias, lung issues (emphysema), or heart and blood vessel problems. This is why medical monitoring is so important.
A doctor can often suspect cutis laxa by looking at the skin and seeing how it behaves. To confirm the diagnosis, a doctor may do a skin biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of skin to look at the elastin fibers under a microscope. Genetic testing can also be used to find the specific faulty gene that is causing the disorder.
There is no cure for cutis laxa. Treatment is focused on managing the symptoms. Plastic surgery can be done to remove the excess, sagging skin, but the results may not last long as the skin can become loose again. Because the condition can affect internal organs, it is important to have regular checkups with a doctor to watch for any heart or lung problems.
No. They are both connective tissue disorders, but they are different. In Ehlers-Danlos, the skin is very stretchy (hyperelastic) but snaps back. In cutis laxa, the skin is loose and sagging (inelastic) and does not snap back.
The skin condition itself is not usually painful. However, if the disorder affects the joints or other parts of the body, it can cause pain or other symptoms.
Yes. While it is most often a genetic condition you are born with, there is a very rare "acquired" form that can start in adulthood. This sometimes happens after a severe illness or allergic reaction.
You should see a doctor if you or your child have skin that seems unusually loose, sagging, or wrinkled. If your baby's skin seems to "hang" or does not feel firm, it is important to have it checked. A dermatologist or a geneticist can help find the cause.
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2. Cutis?Laxa. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532944/. January?2024.
3. ELN-Related Cutis Laxa. GeneReviews?. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584550/. September 29,?2022.
4. Cutis?Laxa: What It Is, Types, Causes & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/cutis-laxa. December 29,?2025.
5. Acquired Cutis Laxa. University of Pittsburgh. https://cutislaxa.pitt.edu/acquired.php. Accessed April 1,?2026.