18/06/2026
The effects of smoking and sunbathing in 61-year-old identical twins
The image is often used to demonstrate the long-term effects of smoking and chronic sun exposure, and it comes from a series of medical photographs of identical twins used by dermatologists to study aging.
Because identical twins share nearly the same genetics, differences in their appearance can highlight the impact of lifestyle choices. In several well-documented twin studies, the twin who smoked heavily and spent more time in the sun typically showed deeper wrinkles, more uneven skin pigmentation, greater skin laxity, and a more weathered appearance.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. Dermatologists estimate that up to 80–90% of visible facial aging is caused not by chronological age, but by cumulative sun exposure, a process known as photoaging. Smoking compounds the damage by reducing blood flow to the skin and increasing the production of enzymes that degrade collagen.
One pack of ci******es contains thousands of chemicals, many of which generate free radicals that accelerate skin aging. Research has found that long-term smokers often develop characteristic facial changes sometimes referred to as "smoker's face," including deeper wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.
Fortunately, much of this damage can often be reversed through the use of laser resurfacing, injectable procedures and prescription medical skincare.
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