A medical professional has detailed the long-term impact of botox, as a pair of twins have highlighted the striking differences in their appearances after one of them opted for regular botox treatments, while the other did not, over a span of 13 years.
Curious about the enduring effects of facial injectables?
These identical twins have provided an eye-opening comparison of their results after more than a decade.
One twin underwent botox injections in the forehead and glabellar areas (between the eyebrows) around two to three times each year. Meanwhile, the other twin had only two botox treatments in her lifetime in those regions, once in 1999 and again in 2003.
The initial findings of this study were published in 2006 by William J. Binder, who tracked the twins’ experiences for over ten years.
Photographs taken before and after documented the significant differences in their facial features, which were maintained in a relaxed state for the images.
By 2006, Twin 2 had received at least 26 botox treatments since she turned 21.
The physician involved in the study has now disclosed the actual long-term effects.
In the study’s conclusion, Binder stated: “It is well known that a single injection of botox into a target muscle can inhibit a patient’s ability to contract that muscle for several months and so reduce the appearance of facial lines that would have been apparent during active muscle contraction.
“The results presented herein suggest that long-term treatment can also result in additional benefits and prevent the formation of permanent lines – so-called imprinted lines – that slowly manifest over time as part of normal aging.”
Binder continued, “This comparison of identical twins (one of whom received regular injections of botox in the forehead and glabellar region for 13 years and one of whom did not) demonstrates that long-term treatment with botox can prevent the development of these imprinted facial lines.”
The images showed that Twin 2 (right) had smoother skin with finer lines on her forehead, whereas Twin 1 (left), who had limited botox use, had more pronounced forehead lines and visible ‘crow’s feet’ when she smiled.
A follow-up study nearly two decades after Twin 2 began her regular botox regimen revealed even more distinct differences between them.
By age 44, Twin 2 (left) had developed wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, yet they remained less pronounced compared to her sister’s.
Twin 1 (right) also appeared to have a fuller jaw, although it is not clear if botox influenced this aspect.
The doctor noted that the primary difference in the twins’ lifestyles was their use of botox.
Both twins did not engage in any laser, light, or skin-tightening procedures.
They consistently applied sunscreen to shield their skin from UV rays.