Smoking and Skin Aging in Identical Twins

Abstract

Background: A twin pair can provide a rare opportunity to control for genetic susceptibility and exposure variables, which often serve as major confounders in population-based studies on the relationship between smoking and skin aging.Observations: We describe a unique twin pair who spent not only their first 2 decades of life together but also in their later decades had the same type of job at the same latitude, resulting in well-matched levels of significant sun exposure. However, the twins differed markedly in regard to smoking history; the twin with an approximately 52.5-pack-year smoking history showed more severe skin aging than did the nonsmoking twin. Conclusion:The difference in skin aging illustrated by this twin pair may serve as a motivator for smoking cessation.

The Effect of Smoking on Facial Aging Among Females in Saudi Arabia

“…Also, in 2007 D.Doshi et al [4] describe that identical twins with an approximately 52.5 pack-year smoking history showed more severe skin aging than did the nonsmoking twin. Moreover, Emster V et al [5] (1995) and Patricia M. O'Hare et`al [6] (1999) revealed that smoking increases the risk of facial wrinkles two to threefold.…”

“…The main cause of this phenomenon however, is still unclear. Several studies show that smoking cigarettes is one of the significant causes of facial aging and wrinkling [4,5,6]. The overall literature indicates that those who smoke have a higher risk of developing premature facial wrinkling as compared to those who do not smoke [7].…”

Cigarette Smoking and Facial Wrinkles: A Review of the Literature

“…never smokers. Perhaps the most interesting evidence of this conclusion is illustrated in Doshi, Hanneman, and Cooper's (2007) case study of 52-year-old identical twins. During their childhood and adulthood, the twins lived in the same locations and had similar sun exposure.…”

Factors That Affect Skin Aging

“…37,38 Finally, our finding that cigarette smoking is associated with higher photodamage (P=.046) is consistent with most of the data in the literature. [9][10][11][12]18,39 Cigarette smoke induces matrix metalloproteinases in the skin and inhibits procollagen synthesis through alteration of transforming growth factor ␤. [40][41][42] This study is one of the few twin studies examining the relationship between environmental factors and photodamage.…”