Identical twins shared huge impact after one smoked for 15 years and other didn’t

A study examining pairs of twins where one person smoked and the other didn't has revealed the shocking impact cigarettes can have on your face.

Numerous studies involving twins to examine the importance of diet and lifestyle in regards to ageing have taken place over the years. In one research project, two sisters revealed how using botox for an extended period of time can change your face, while one set of 'twinfluencers' compared diets including omnivore, vegan, high-carb and high-fat to see how it impacted their body.

But what about smoking?

Most of us by now are aware of the adverse effects which come with puffing on a burning stick of tobacco, with research revealing show smoking can put you at a greater risk of strokes, heart disease, and cancer.

Smoking ages you prematurely, but you probably knew that already (Getty Stock Images)

However, for 77 pairs of twins taking part in a landmark study, conducted by the Department of Plastic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University at an annual gathering of twins in the aptly named Twinsburg, Ohio they were able to show exactly how smoking can change your face.

All of the siblings taking part in the study had their photo taken and gave some information about their smoking status, which allowed researchers to divide them up into two groups.

In one group there were 45 sets of twins where one sibling had never smoked and the other had, while the rest had one sibling who'd smoked for considerably longer than the other.

And let's just say the results are pretty stark. Take a look at the images below for yourself:

The twin on the left here is a non-smoker (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

The difference between the left and right hand twins here is a combination of smoking and sun damage (NBC)

"This study confirms some of what was believed in the most scientific way possible," Dr. Bahman Guyuron, who led the research, previously explained to CNN.

"Smoking reduces the collagen formation, results in collagen degradation and reduces the skin circulation.

"Additionally, nicotine reduces the skin thickness. All of these reduce skin elasticity and (cause) premature aging."

One particular signifier of smoking for Guyuron was the existence of 'festoons of loose skin' under the eyes of the eyes of some of the twins surveyed.

"When I see that [on patients], I don’t have to ask if they smoke. I know they do," he added.

"The festoons of loose skin' under Brenda’s (left) eyes are down to her smoking habit," Dr Guyuron said (NBC)

However researchers did note that other factors such as diet, lifestyle and sun exposure would also have a significant impact in how someone's face looked. Meanwhile if you're interested in what other factors can change your face, check out this study showing the impact of stress on several sets of twins.