What Is Cutis Laxa? Zara Hartshorn, Teenager With Rare Genetic Disorder, Gets Facelift At 16

A British teenager with an inherited genetic disorder that has made her look middle-aged practically since she was a child says she is thrilled with the results of a pioneering facelift. Zara Hartshorn, 16, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was given a free facelift after a doctor heard of her condition, and she said the results have given her a new lease on life.

Hartshorn has endured a lifetime of being picked on and mistaken for someone twice her age due to an extremely rare genetic condition called cutis laxa. The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Human Genetics defines it as “a disease of prematurely loose, redundant, inelastic and wrinkled skin.” In addition to causing loose skin, cutis laxa can also cause heart and lung problems, and weaken joints.

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