{"id":615,"date":"2026-08-20T17:05:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/glossar\/cutis-laxa\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T11:53:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T09:53:35","slug":"cutis-laxa","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossar\/cutis-laxa\/","title":{"rendered":"Cutis laxa"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#was-ist-cutis-laxa\">What is cutis laxa?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#die-ursachen-bei-cutis-laxa-angeboren-vs-erworben\">The causes of cutis laxa: congenital vs. acquired<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#die-entscheidende-abgrenzung-cutis-laxa-vs-normale-hautalterung\">The key distinction: cutis laxa versus normal ageing of the skin<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#behandlungsmoglichkeiten-die-rolle-der-plastischen-chirurgie-bei-cutis-laxa\">Treatment options: The role of plastic surgery in cutis laxa<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#risiken-und-absicherung-bei-cutis-laxa-behandlungen\">Risks and precautions associated with cutis laxa treatments<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq-zu-cutis-laxa\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cutis laxa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed has-white-warm-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important note<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis or advice. If you are unsure, or if you require a personalised treatment plan, it is essential that you consult a qualified specialist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term <strong>Cutis laxa<\/strong> refers to a group of rare connective tissue disorders that can be either congenital or acquired. The main characteristic is noticeably sagging, inelastic and wrinkled skin, which often gives the affected person a prematurely aged appearance. It is crucial to distinguish this serious medical condition from normal, age-related skin sagging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article explains in detail what cutis laxa is, what causes it and what role plastic and reconstructive surgery can play in its treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"was-ist-cutis-laxa\">What is cutis laxa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"725\" src=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa.png\" alt=\"Cutis laxa\" class=\"wp-image-330 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa.png 725w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-120x120.png 120w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-40x40.png 40w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-160x160.png 160w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa-500x500.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cutis laxa (Latin for \u201eloose skin\u201c) is a rare, heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders characterised by a defect in the elastic fibres of the skin and, often, other organs as well. The condition is caused by mutations in various genes involved in the formation and structure of elastic fibres, including the elastin gene. This leads to a dramatic loss of skin elasticity, causing the skin to appear slack, sagging and excessively wrinkled, and preventing it from returning to its original position after being stretched.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/service-information\/contact\/\">Contact us for a no-obligation enquiry<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"die-ursachen-bei-cutis-laxa-angeboren-vs-erworben\">The causes of cutis laxa: congenital vs. acquired<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"angeborene-kongenitale-formen\">Congenital forms:<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These conditions often appear at birth or in early childhood. They are caused by genetic defects that can be inherited in a dominant, recessive or X-linked manner. Depending on the gene affected, the condition may affect other organ systems (the cardiovascular system, lungs, gastrointestinal tract) as well as the skin, which necessitates comprehensive internal medicine care.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"erworbene-formen\">Acquired forms:<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acquired forms have been described, for example, following severe infections (e.g. measles, chickenpox, Lyme disease), in association with certain medicines (e.g. dapsone) or following inflammatory skin conditions<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2087\" height=\"1484\" src=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen.png\" alt=\"Cutis laxa: Causes?\" class=\"wp-image-331 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen.png 2087w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-768x546.png 768w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-1024x728.png 1024w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-1536x1092.png 1536w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-2048x1456.png 2048w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-10_Cutis_laxa_Ursachen-40x28.png 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2087px) 100vw, 2087px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed has-anchor-light-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"die-entscheidende-abgrenzung-cutis-laxa-vs-normale-hautalterung\">The key distinction: cutis laxa versus normal ageing of the skin<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although they may look similar on the surface, there are fundamental differences:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Start:<\/strong> Normal ageing begins gradually in adulthood. Cutis laxa may be visible from birth or in early childhood.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elasticity:<\/strong> With normal ageing, the skin is indeed more slack, but still retains a certain degree of elasticity. In cutis laxa, this ability to spring back is almost entirely absent; once the skin is pulled, it remains in that position.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Extent:<\/strong> Skin laxity in cutis laxa is often extremely pronounced and is out of keeping with the patient\u2019s chronological age.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"behandlungsmoglichkeiten-die-rolle-der-plastischen-chirurgie-bei-cutis-laxa\">Treatment options: The role of plastic surgery in cutis laxa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no causal treatment that can cure the underlying genetic defect in cutis laxa. Treatment is therefore purely symptomatic and requires an interdisciplinary team comprising dermatologists, geneticists, internists and plastic surgeons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plastic and reconstructive surgery can improve a person\u2019s physical appearance and alleviate the associated functional and psychological distress through skin-tightening procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chirurgische-verfahren\">Surgical procedures:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Procedures such as a <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossary\/facelift\/\">Facelift<\/a>, an eyelid lift (<a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossary\/blepharoplastik\/\">Blepharoplasty<\/a>) or a tummy tuck (<a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossary\/tummy-tuck\/\">Tummy tuck<\/a>) can remove excess skin and temporarily restore the contours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Realistic expectation management in surgical procedures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The surgical treatment of cutis laxa is challenging and differs fundamentally from purely cosmetic surgery on healthy skin:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High recurrence rate:<\/strong> As the underlying tissue weakness persists, the skin tends to sag again relatively quickly after the operation. The results are often not as long-lasting as with a standard facelift.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increased risks:<\/strong> Wound healing may be impaired, which is why post-operative outcomes are less predictable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"risiken-und-absicherung-bei-cutis-laxa-behandlungen\">Risks and precautions associated with cutis laxa treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2025-09_vorteil-4beauty-versicherung.svg\" alt=\"Benefits of 4beauty insurance\" class=\"wp-image-318 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The skin-tightening operations carried out for cutis laxa are complex reconstructive procedures. Whether the costs will be covered by health insurance must be clarified on a case-by-case basis. Irrespective of this, there are general and specific risks associated with the procedure in question.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/after-care-insurance\/\">Consequential Costs Insurance<\/a> It is primarily intended for complications arising from cosmetic, elective procedures. In the case of medically indicated operations \u2013 such as treatment for cutis laxa \u2013 whether the costs are covered depends on the individual health insurance provider and the specific case.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/service-information\/contact\/\">Contact us for a no-obligation enquiry<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq-zu-cutis-laxa\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cutis laxa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: false, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-1&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-1\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Can cutis laxa be cured?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-1\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. As it is usually a genetic condition, there is currently no cure. Treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms and monitoring organ function.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-2&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-2\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">How is the diagnosis made?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-2\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diagnosis is initially based on the typical clinical presentation and the patient\u2019s medical history. A skin biopsy revealing defective elastic fibres, as well as molecular genetic tests, can confirm the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-3&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-3\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome the same as cutis laxa?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-3\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Although both are hereditary connective tissue disorders, the main characteristic of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is hyper-extensibility (hyperelasticity) of the skin and joint hypermobility, whereas the main characteristic of cutis laxa is loose, inelastic skin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-4&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-4\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Are the treatments painful?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-4\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Laser and microneedling treatments are not painless and are usually carried out after an anaesthetic cream has been applied. They are most often described as an intense tingling or pricking sensation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cutis laxa refers to a group of rare, congenital or acquired connective tissue disorders characterised by noticeably loose, inelastic and wrinkled skin.<\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-615","glossary","type-glossary","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossary"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}