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Daven N. Doshi, MD; Kaija K. Hanneman, DO; Kevin D. Cooper, MD

Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(12):1543-1546.

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.

Author Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

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