Anetoderma, from the Greek anetos for "slack" and derma for "skin," is an elastolytic disorder characterized by localized areas of flaccid skin. These present clinically as skin-colored wrinkled macules or patches that may or may not form bulging sac-like protrusions. Histologically, there is a focal loss of dermal elastic tissue. The condition is benign, and the pathogenesis is not well understood. It commonly manifests in the teenage years through the 40s and is slightly more prevalent in women. Occasionally, it is seen in children.

Anetoderma may be primary or secondary. Primary anetoderma occurs when there is no underlying skin disorder. Cardiac, ocular, bony, pulmonary, and endocrine abnormalities have been reported to occur in some patients with primary anetoderma.

The lesions of secondary anetoderma are identical to those of primary anetoderma but appear at the same sites as a preceding dermatosis. A multitude of conditions are associated with the development of secondary anetoderma. These include varicella, folliculitis, acne vulgaris, lichen planus, syphilis, granuloma annulare, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pyoderma gangrenosum, Steven-Johnson syndrome, B-cell lymphoma, juvenile xanthogranuloma, melanocytic nevi, sarcoidosis, dermatofibromas, prurigo nodularis, lupus erythematosus, leprosy, mastocytosis, plasmacytomas, xanthomas, lymphocytoma cutis, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, pilomatricoma, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, penicillamine, nodular amyloidosis, and hepatitis B immunization.

Anetoderma has also been described in premature neonates (see Anetoderma of prematurity). Rare reports of familial anetoderma have also been documented.