CAN TWINS SKIN AGE DIFFERENT?

February 19, 2023

Identical twins have identical genetic programming. If lifestyle had no impact on aging, twins would age at the same rate. Differences in lifestyle and environment have long been suspected of influencing the pace at which we age.

Different Lifestyle and Environment

Sun Exposure

UV rays are harmful to our skin, causing spots, wrinkles, and even cancer. Though if there was ever any doubt, this study provides strong evidence in support of these warnings. Sun exposure was the number one reason the panel perceived a difference in age between twins.

BMI- DIET

Weight has a definite impact on perceived age, according to the study. French actress Catherine Deneuve famously said, "After a certain age, you have to choose between your fanny and your face." She observed that as we age being very thin can cause the face to look haggard or gaunt, whereas a few extra pounds can fill out lines and soften wrinkles. Relevant differences in the twins due to weight were noticeable when there was at least a twenty-pound disparity between the women. After age fifty-five, a forty-pound difference in body weight was required for the heavier twin to appear younger.

Marital Status

Surprisingly, marital status seemed to influence the appearance of the twins. On average, the panel perceived divorced women as 1.7 years older than their twin who was either married or single. Since stress has been known to accelerate the aging process, it was speculated that stress or depression might be to blame. One would think losing a spouse would be a source of stress, but widowed twins appeared two years younger than their sibling on average. The researchers had no explanation for this finding.

Skin maintenance - Botox

Another "twin study" of interest is one on preventative Botox. It was done in 2006 by William J. Binder, MD and showed that long-term treatment with Botox prevents static lines from forming (lines that are visible when your face is not animated).

Smoking

A sibling with a history of smoking was perceived as two and a half years older than their non-smoking sibling for every decade that they smoked. The twin with a history of smoking must have smoked for at least five years for there to be a perceptible difference in appearance.

Bottom line

The first study by Guyuron et al. provides strong statistical evidence that many of the factors previously blamed for accelerating aging are indeed guilty of doing just that. It also illuminates previously unrecognized factors that hasten the appearance of aging. Both studies demonstrate that there are things we can do (or not do) to look younger longer. It appears “nurture” may override “nature” when it comes to the visible progression of ageing.