A new study involving identical twins suggests that in addition to your genetic make-up, certain environmental factors can also add years to a woman's perceived age. The results, just published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, show that factors like divorce or the use of antidepressants can wreak havoc on a face. "A person's heritage may initially dictate how they age - but if you introduce certain factors into your life, you will certainly age faster. Likewise, if you avoid those factors you can slow down the hands of time," said study author Bahaman Guyuron, from Case Medical Center. "In this study, we looked at identical twins because they are genetically programmed to age exactly the same, and in doing so we essentially discovered that, when it comes to your face, it is possible to cheat your biological clock."
For the study, Dr. Guyuron obtained comprehensive questionnaires and digital images from 186 pairs of identical twins. The images were reviewed by an independent panel, which then recorded the perceived age difference between the siblings. The results showed that twins who had been divorced appeared nearly 2 years older than their siblings who were married, single or even widowed.
Antidepressant use was associated with a significantly older appearance and researchers also found that weight played a major factor too. In those sets of twins who were less than 40 years old, the heavier twin was perceived as being older, while in those groups over 40 years old, the heavier twin appeared younger.
"The presence of stress could be one of the common denominators in those twins who appeared older," Dr. Guyuron speculated. Additionally, he suspects that continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use could account for sagging.
"This research is important for two reasons," Dr. Guyuron concluded. "We have discovered a number of new factors that contribute to aging."
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Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
