Facial Skin AgingNCT07760532
Comparing Facial Aging Between Identical Twins With 3D Imaging
An observational study of Facial Skin Aging and Facial Volume Loss, run by Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Facial Skin Aging, Facial Volume Loss, Wrinkle Appearance
- What is being tested?
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 8 Aug 2026to Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
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).
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Ponsky Facial Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, LLC
Beachwood, Ohio, 44122
About this study
Official title: A Prospective Observational Study of Facial Aging in Identical Twins Using Three-Dimensional Imaging
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.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective, observational, single-site study conducted at the Twins Days Festival, Twinsburg, Ohio (August 8-9, 2026). The design revisits the 2009 identical-twin facial aging study of Guyuron and colleagues with two methodological advances: replacement of standardized two-dimensional photography with three-dimensional facial surface imaging, permitting objective quantitative measurement of volumetric and topographic facial differences, and inclusion of GLP-1 receptor agonist and other rapid weight-loss medication exposure as a facial-aging variable that did not exist as a widespread exposure at the time of the original study.
Participation is completed in a single session. After eligibility screening and written informed consent, each twin independently completes a structured questionnaire covering demographic, lifestyle, environmental, and medical-history domains, and undergoes standardized 3D facial surface imaging using a non-contact, non-ionizing optical system (approximately 1-2 minutes per participant). A staff member records Fitzpatrick skin type by brief visual assessment. No intervention is administered, no biological specimens are collected, no genetic testing is performed, and no individual results are returned. Zygosity is established by participant self-report, supported where available by prior DNA testing or physician confirmation; self-reported dizygotic or zygosity-uncertain pairs are recorded as such and analyzed separately from the confirmed monozygotic cohort.
All data are recorded against coded participant identifiers. Because each monozygotic pair serves as its own genetic control, the primary analysis is of within-pair differences in quantitative 3D facial measurements, correlated with discordance in self-reported exposures. 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. All measurement, extraction, and analysis of study data are performed by the study team on coded data.
- Conditions
- Facial Skin Aging, Facial Volume Loss, Wrinkle Appearance
- Being tested
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
- 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
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
GLP-1 Receptor AgonistsDrug
Also called Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Ozempic
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Drug: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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
Midface and lower-face volume and contour measurements derived from standardized 3D facial surface images, compared within monozygotic twin pairs in which one twin reports current or prior GLP-1 receptor agonist use and the other does not.
Measured: Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Aug 2026
- Study start8 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionSep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionSep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Facial Skin AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Family based
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Dr. Diana Ponsky, MD, FACS, Principal investigator, Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07760532
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TwinsStudy_2026-0412
- Other IDs
- 2026-0412
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: "Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers, consistent with the informed consent, which states that coded study data and images are not used or distributed for research beyond this study."
Publications
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.
PubMed 19337100
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Prospective Observational Study of Facial Aging in Identical Twins Using Three-Dimensional Imaging
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07760532
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TwinsStudy_2026-0412
- 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
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, LlcIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 8 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, observational, single-site study conducted at the Twins Days Festival, Twinsburg, Ohio (August 8-9, 2026). The design revisits the 2009 identical-twin facial aging study of Guyuron and colleagues with two methodological advances: replacement of standardized two-dimensional photography with three-dimensional facial surface imaging, permitting objective quantitative measurement of volumetric and topographic facial differences, and inclusion of GLP-1 receptor agonist and other rapid weight-loss medication exposure as a facial-aging variable that did not exist as a widespread exposure at the time of the original study.
Participation is completed in a single session. After eligibility screening and written informed consent, each twin independently completes a structured questionnaire covering demographic, lifestyle, environmental, and medical-history domains, and undergoes standardized 3D facial surface imaging using a non-contact, non-ionizing optical system (approximately 1-2 minutes per participant). A staff member records Fitzpatrick skin type by brief visual assessment. No intervention is administered, no biological specimens are collected, no genetic testing is performed, and no individual results are returned. Zygosity is established by participant self-report, supported where available by prior DNA testing or physician confirmation; self-reported dizygotic or zygosity-uncertain pairs are recorded as such and analyzed separately from the confirmed monozygotic cohort.
All data are recorded against coded participant identifiers. Because each monozygotic pair serves as its own genetic control, the primary analysis is of within-pair differences in quantitative 3D facial measurements, correlated with discordance in self-reported exposures. 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. All measurement, extraction, and analysis of study data are performed by the study team on coded data.
Study design
- Observational model
- Family based
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Adult twin pairs | – | Drug: GLP-1 Receptor AgonistsAdult (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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- 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).
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| GLP-1 Receptor AgonistsAlso: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, OzempicSelf-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. | Drug | Adult twin pairs |
Primary outcome
Within-pair difference in quantitative three-dimensional facial surface measurements
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)
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.
1 secondary outcome
Within-pair difference in midface and lower-face volume and contour among twin pairs discordant for GLP-1 receptor agonist use
Time frame: Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 19337100Guyuron 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.
- Study information pageLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. "Individual participant data will not be shared with other researchers, consistent with the informed consent, which states that coded study data and images are not used or distributed for research beyond this study."
Related trials for Facial Skin Aging
Not yet recruiting
Effects of Probiotics on Skin Health in Healthy Women
Skin Aging, Dry Skin
Not yet recruiting
Evaluation of MD60002 Device for Facial Skin Aging
Facial Wrinkles, Skin Aging
Recruiting
Clinical Study to Evaluate the Anti-aging Efficacy and Skin Radiance-enhancing Effect of Dermial®.
Healthy Adult Females
Active, not recruiting
Safety and Efficacy of 2910 nm Fiber Laser Resurfacing and Laser-Coring
Rhytids, Skin Laxity
Not yet recruiting
Antioxidant Nutrition and Facial Exercise for Skin Aging
Facial Skin Aging and Wrinkle Severity
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Dr. Diana Ponsky, MD, FACS principal investigator
Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Facial Skin Aging and Facial Volume Loss, run by Ponsky Facial Aesthetics And Plastic Surgery, Llc at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Lauren Ickes M Study Coordinator ((216) 480-1843, info@drdianaponsky.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Within-pair difference in quantitative three-dimensional facial surface measurements (time frame: Day 1 (single study visit; all data collected at enrollment)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07760532, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Aug 2026.