Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Stress, not just genetics add years to face: study

Wrinkles are not due to genetics alone but also to stressful environmental factors, such as a divorce, abnormal weight loss and use of antidepressants, according to a study published Tuesday.
The study found that twins who had been divorced looked nearly two years older than their identical siblings who were married, widowed or single. Researchers found that antidepressant use and weight gain were also factors in perceived age difference.

In sets of twins younger than 40, the heavier twin seemed older, while in sets of twins more than 40 years old, the heavier twin seemed younger.

"The presence of stress could be one of the common denominators in those twins who appeared older," said Guyuron.

Continued relaxation of the facial muscles due to antidepressant use could explain sagging, and losing abnormal amounts of weight has harmful effects on health and appearance, the researchers found.

The study was published in the web-based version of "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery," the ASPS medical journal.

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