Comparing Facial Aging Between Identical Twins With 3D Imaging

NCT07760532 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: TwinsStudy_2026-04122026-0412
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Identical twins share the same genes, which makes them a powerful way to study how lifestyle and environment - rather than genetics - affect how faces age. This study builds on a landmark 2009 twin study by using modern three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging, which measures facial shape and volume precisely instead of relying on regular photographs. The study will also look at whether use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications (such as semaglutide or tirzepatide), sometimes associated with facial changes informally called "Ozempic face," is related to measurable differences in facial aging. The study will enroll adult identical twin pairs attending the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, in August 2026. Participation takes about 30 minutes and happens in a single visit at the festival study booth. Each twin will complete a questionnaire about lifestyle, environment, and medical history (such as sun exposure, smoking, sleep, and medication use) and have a 3D image of their face taken with a non-contact camera system. There is no treatment, no medication, no blood draw or biological sample, and no follow-up visit. Researchers will then compare facial measurements within each twin pair to learn which lifestyle and environmental factors are linked to visible facial aging.

Conditions

Facial Skin Aging; Facial Volume Loss; Wrinkle Appearance

Keywords

identical twin study facial aging; identical twins with ozempic face; twins three-dimensional imaging; environmental factors that contribute to aging identical twins; Dr. Diana Ponsky Facial Aging Study; Dr. Diana Ponsky identical twin study; Dr. Diana Ponsky 3d study; Dr Diana Ponsky twins facial aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Within-pair difference in quantitative three-dimensional facial surface measurements

  Description: Volumetric and topographic facial measurements (facial volume and surface contour) derived from standardized 3D facial surface images, compared within each monozygotic twin pair. Within-pair differences are correlated with within-pair discordance in self-reported lifestyle, environmental, and medical exposures recorded by questionnaire.

  Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Within-pair difference in midface and lower-face volume and contour among twin pairs discordant for GLP-1 receptor agonist use

  Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)

Study Arms (1)

Adult twin pairs

Adult (18+) twin pairs attending the Twins Days Festival, Twinsburg, Ohio, with both members present and consenting. Each participant completes a lifestyle and medical-history questionnaire and undergoes standardized three-dimensional facial surface imaging in a single session. Zygosity is established by self-report; pairs self-reporting as dizygotic or unsure are recorded as such and analyzed separately from the confirmed monozygotic cohort.

Drug: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Interventions

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists DRUG

Self-reported current or prior use of GLP-1 receptor agonist or other rapid weight-loss medication, recorded by participant questionnaire. No medication is administered, assigned, dispensed, or modified by the study; use is observed as a naturally occurring exposure. For the secondary objective, twin pairs discordant for self-reported GLP-1 receptor agonist use are compared with respect to midface and lower-face volume and contour.

Also known as: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Ozempic

Adult twin pairs

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult twin pairs attending the Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio (August 8-9, 2026), the largest annual gathering of twins in the world. Participants are recruited on-site through a study booth and printed festival materials, and in advance through a study information page on the practice website. Anticipated enrollment is approximately 50 to 100 twin pairs (up to approximately 200 individual participants).

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Members of a monozygotic (identical) twin pair, with both twins present and willing to participate
• Able to provide written informed consent in English

You may not qualify if:

• Age under 18 years
• Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent
• Facial conditions or recent facial surgery that, in the investigator's judgment, would prevent standardized imaging
• Pregnancy, by self-report
• Note: Zygosity is established by participant self-report, supported where available by prior DNA testing or physician confirmation. No genetic testing is performed and no biological specimens are collected. Pairs who self-report as dizygotic or are uncertain of their zygosity are recorded as such and analyzed separately from the confirmed monozygotic cohort.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ponsky Facial Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, LLC

Beachwood, Ohio, 44122, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Guyuron B, Rowe DJ, Weinfeld AB, Eshraghi Y, Fathi A, Iamphongsai S. Factors contributing to the facial aging of identical twins. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009 Apr;123(4):1321-1331. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e31819c4d42.

  PMID: 19337100 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• Study information page

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; semaglutide; Tirzepatide

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypoglycemic Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Pharmacologic Actions; Chemical Actions and Uses; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor; Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptors; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Receptors, Cell Surface; Membrane Proteins; Proteins; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone; Receptors, Peptide

Study Officials

• Dr. Diana Ponsky, MD, FACS

  Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Lauren Ickes M Study Coordinator

CONTACT

(216) 480-1843; info@drdianaponsky.com

Diana Ponsky, MD, FACS

CONTACT

(216) 480-1843; diana@drdianaponsky.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: FAMILY BASED
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 7, 2026
• First Posted: August 12, 2026
• Study Start: August 8, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)