Bayezid Hossain, 45, from the capital city of Bangladesh, has been called the saddest man in the world by the local media – but not because he looks sad. In fact, he seems quite content with his life. The nickname was given to him because of his condition called Cutis Laxa, which causes the skin to sag like an old man’s face and makes him look older than he really is. His age appears to be about 70 but he is actually only 45 years old and one of only 500 people in the world with this condition.
A rare skin condition (cutis laxa) affects about 500 people in Bangladesh. It is characterized by loose skin on specific parts of a person’s body. In contrast to muscular atrophy, muscles remain fully functional. This condition usually begins during childhood or adolescence and becomes more pronounced as a person ages; it worsens with injury or scarring but can improve with time and surgical intervention. While cutis laxa doesn’t impact everyday life in most cases, some people may feel self-conscious about their appearance or experience difficulty managing their condition due to social stigma associated with loose skin [Source: Mayo Clinic]. Some people also develop secondary disorders caused by complications from cutis laxa such as chronic infections and physical trauma-related to alterations in body structure and function.
Bayezid Hossain is a man with cutis laxa – a rare genetic condition characterized by loose skin and facial wrinkles. This is my face and I’m used to it now, he told reporters in Bangladesh. I can’t change it so I have no problem. Most people with cutis lax suffer from muscle weakness, but Bayezid appears to be an exception. According to his niece Sajida Khanam, He moves around on his own without any support. After years of dealing with social stigma for their unique appearance, many of those with cutis lax opt for cosmetic surgery in order to conform more closely to society’s standards of beauty. However, doctors warn that they run into risks of infection and further scarring. Bayezid Hossain, who lives in Dhaka in Bangladesh has cutis laxa. This means that his facial skin sags and hangs loosely around his face. There is no known cause for cutis laxa – it seems to be genetic but there are often other causes too (see below). Bayezid was born with it and has had people staring at him all his life. He’s learned to live with it over time and now considers himself just like any other man. However, he does want a cure so that no one else will have to go through what he did throughout life. He wants a normal-looking face where he can smile freely without people staring and laughing at him.
People who have CLC or other conditions associated with cutis laxa may be at higher risk for skin cancer. Because of their genetic predisposition to skin cancer, many CLC patients undergo screening for early detection and treatment. This is especially important if you live in an area with a high rate of skin cancer or if you have a history of skin cancer in your family. One thing to consider: Some researchers are concerned that radiation treatments used to treat some forms of acne could actually increase your risk for skin cancer. Patients should discuss these risks with their doctors so they can make educated decisions about what therapies will work best.
