Mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE) is a rare acquired disorder characterized by the idiopathic loss of mid-dermal elastic fibers. MDE typically presents with asymptomatic, well-demarcated thin wrinkled plaques on the upper arms and trunk (type I). Preceding erythema is reported by a minority of patients and, even more rarely, urticarial plaques may be seen. Variant presentations of MDE include soft plaques with perifollicular protrusions with a peau d'orange appearance (type II) and reticular erythema (type III).

Most reported patients are women of Northern European descent between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Men with MDE have a slightly older age of onset. Systemic involvement is not a feature.

The pathogenesis of this condition has not been fully elucidated; however, purported pathomechanisms include ultraviolet light-induced elastic fiber degeneration, defects in the synthesis of elastic fibers, and autoimmune destruction thereof.