A doctor has revealed the long-term effects of botox, as twins have shared the startling results after one of them underwent frequent botox injections, and the other chose not to, over the course of 13 years.
Have you ever wanted to know the long-term look you can achieve with facial injectables?
Well, a set of identical twins have showcased the astonishing outcome, by comparing their differing results after 13 years.
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One of them received botox in the forehead and glabellar region (between the eyebrows) approximately two to three times each year, and the other had only received botox twice in her life in the same regions, once in 1999 and once in 2003.
Initial results of the study were published in 2006 by author William J. Binder, who followed the twin's journey for over a decade.
Before-and-after pictures of the twins documented noticeable differences in their faces, which they positioned into a resting pose for the photos.
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By 2006, one of the twins - Twin 2 - had undergone at least 26 botox injections since she was 21.
But the doctor behind the study has revealed the real long term effects.
Upon concluding the study, Binder wrote: "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."
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Reflecting on the twins, he added: "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 difference after 13 years
In the images, Twin 2 (right) had noticeably smoother skin and more shallow wrinkles on her forehead, while Twin 1 (left), who had only received a couple of botox shots in her life, had deeper forehead lines, as well as 'crow's feet' lines which became visible when she smiled.
The difference after 19 years
The follow-up to the study took place nearly two decades after Twin 2 began her regular botox injections, and revealed even more differences between the sisters.
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By the time they reached 44 years old, Twin 2 (left) had developed wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, though they were still noticeably less pronounced than her sister's.
Twin 1 (right) also appeared to have a fuller jaw, though it's unclear whether botox was a factor in this outcome.
The doctor noted that the only 'major difference in the lives of these twins' was their use of botox.
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In terms of laser, light, or skin-tightening procedure, the twins didn't use any.
They also both used suncream daily, to protect from UV rays.
Mia Williams