Need a tanning fix? You might be addicted

Posted on May 30th 2007 11:00AM by Bethany Sanders

Filed Under: Healthy Habits, Diet & Weight Loss

While I'll admit that I used a tanning bed once or twice when I was young and not-so-wise, I can't say I ever enjoyed the experience: Get naked in a cubicle, sweat inside a box while wearing those funny glasses, and leave with that unpleasant "tanner" smell following you everywhere you go -- not my idea of fun.

But did you know that it's possible to be addicted to tanning? Recent research found that when people were given a drug that blocked endorphins in the brain, they had withdrawal symptoms after their next tanning sessions. Not only that, when people were asked to tan in UVA or non-UVA beds without knowing which was which, they eventually and unconsciously were drawn to the UVA beds.

Experts say there are three signs that you're addicted to tanning:

1. You just can't stop tanning.
2. When you get up in the morning, you can't wait to tan.
3. People tell you that you have a problem and it ticks you off.

I think I'd add #4: You have tough, leathery, sun-damaged skin, and if you don't, you will soon. Get your rays the natural way -- outdoors and with plenty of sunscreen.

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12 Comment

Tags: addicted to tanning, AddictedToTanning, tanning, tanning beds, TanningBeds

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Catherine 5-31-2007 @ 1:48PM

The 'how to spot a tanning-addicted friend' checklist is kind of ridiculous. Are we really to believe that someone is an "expert" in the field of tanning's addictive effects?

Pretending for a moment that we are... if one were to replace the specifics of that checklist with any other problem --- alcoholism, anorexia --- we would still know nothing about what caused the addicting behavior. The checklist seems rather useless, especialy in contrast to the case study you cite.

Manda 8-13-2007 @ 10:46PM

One summer I couldn't stop tanning. Every time I looked at my skin I kept thinking, "I could be tanner". I'd get up every morning and plan my day around tanning. Now I look back at those pictures from that summer and I am stunned with how dark I was. I also ended up with some real skin damage on my chest. I still love tanning, especially during those Michigan winters when you start to feel that seasonal depression. I'm sure I could become an "addict" again, but those new lotions that give you a gradual tan work wonders and they are much safer.

sue 5-31-2007 @ 4:01PM

UM tanning is amazing i go alot, the whole expierience is awesome wearing awesome smelling bronzing cream relaxing in a warm bed listening to music , its the best 20 minutes of the whole week, i even worked at a tanning salon, i went everyday for 2 monthes my skin is still amazing and i can stop tanning , i dont right now cause i have no job or money to go...some people take it way too far though, i've seen it all...so just dont be an idiot use the tanning beds w/ caution!

emily 6-01-2007 @ 2:45PM

i use to tan excessively for 3 years until i stopped for a little awhile and looked at my skin and realized how messed up it was. that was 9 months ago and i'm still in the process of fixing my skin. i've had everything from scales that wouldn't come off to blotches to having to get moles removed because the dermatologist thought they were cancerous. people use to tell me to stop tanning, but i never stopped until i saw i was messing up my body. i don't want to be a pile of leather when i'm 45. i don't think anybody does, considering they are tanning to look good. just use self tanner - its cheaper, it works just as good, and most importantly, its cancerfree. even if you tan outside, its just as bad as tanning in a bed. the sun and tanning beds are both UV radiation. just use a self-tanner and protect yourself.

Gina 5-31-2007 @ 6:25PM

I have what the dr's call SAD, (seasonal affective disorder), I turn into a happier person w/just 15 mins. of sunshine. I used to lay out for hrs. but time marches on and I don't want anymore wrinkles, or the scare of Cancer. It is much better than taking a pill for depression. Gina

Gina 6-02-2007 @ 5:59PM

I have what the Dr's call SAD, "Seasonal Affective Disorder" Just 15 mins. of sunshine makes me a happier person. I used to lay out for hrs. but time marches on. I don't like the scare of cancer nor wrinkles. People notice when I caught a few rays, they ask me why I am more upbeat. As the saying goes, "A little bit, goes a long way"
Gina

Crabby McSlacker 5-31-2007 @ 7:08PM

I grew up before people figured out, duh, wear sunscreen when you're outside all day. So I've got so much sun damage already the idea of crawling in a tube to get nuked some more is completely unappealing.

I guess it's like smoking--even when the information's out there, every generation has to figure out for itself what seems obvious once your older. Fry your skin now, pay later. Believe me, you don't want to look like a Shar Pei when you're 40.

(Is Crabby always this grouchy? Yeah, pretty much. Visit her at http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/)

Crabby McSlacker 5-31-2007 @ 7:07PM

I grew up before people figured out, duh, wear sunscreen when you're outside all day. So I've got so much sun damage already the idea of crawling in a tube to get nuked some more is completely unappealing.

I guess it's like smoking--even when the information's out there, every generation has to figure out for itself what seems obvious once your older. Fry your skin now, pay later. Believe me, you don't want to look like a Shar Pei when you're 40.

(Is Crabby always grouchy? Yeah, pretty much. Visit her at http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/)

lulu 5-31-2007 @ 9:44PM

It's all genetics , just like everything else . If you have that nasty, pasty, casperlike "northern europeon" skin -- that turns a sickly shade of pinkish red when u tan or burn- too bad, you suck and your ancestors suck- I've been tanning in beds for 9 years- outdoors for 10 more - am totally addicted to the sun - ( which is natural , and good, for -humans , animals and all living based entitys by the way) - It is normal to be "addicted" to sunlight. If you choose to go the "chemical" route to tan - good luck to ya---- same as eating Cool Whip - Oops no cream in there !!!!! I am fifty , look 39 or 40 --

peach 6-02-2007 @ 11:59AM

who ever said the northern europeon suck i just think u are jealuos at how natural we are we don't need no fake ass tan to look good we are natural!!!!!!! so i guess that ur the one who sucks.

Samantha 6-11-2007 @ 8:09AM

In reply:

Science.

tanning beds are i suppose "better" for you than tanning outdoors. Most tanning beds have more UVA rays, rather than the other harmful UV ray subtypes (UVA and UVB) from the sunlight. UVA rays have the longest wavelengths, UVB-medium, and UVC being the shortest. Shorter wavelengths are more harmful to our bodies. "Soft" ultraviolet light in the UVA (where most black lights are) may cause wrinkles and skin cancer. However, "harder" UVB causes sunburn and has a stronger causitive relationship with cancer.

Most of the UV light that reaches earth is UVA. However, more of the UVB an UVC rays will reach the surface of Earth in the future if we do not stop the depletion of our ozone layer. Many people do not know that the holes in the ozone layer (caused by the release of CFCs) can actually be restored.

Personal Experience:

I love the summertime and the simple warmth that comes from the sun, as well as tanning beds. I enjoy being tan. I think it is important not to burn, and to use the tanning beds with caution. I prefer using tanning beds because of the above information, and it is also a more controlled exposure. Knowing when to stop is very important. Sometimes, it really is hard to know when to quit.

If you insist on being tan, my advice would be using a tanning bed properly rather than the sun. If you do, however, feel you are becoming addicted, compulsive, and obsessive about tanning, you may want to take a break. I do believe tanning can be addictive. (personal experience of a 15 year old girl.)