The dark side of indoor tanning

The dark side of indoor tanning

How often do you use a sunbed...... rarely, often, or can you not go without it? If you're one of the people who can't go without using a sunbed, there may be a reason for it, as recent research has found that not only is tanning a danger to your health, it can also be addictive.

The study published in the Archives of Dermatology looked at 421 students from a large US university, 229 of whom said they used sunbeds or sun lamps.

The study suggests that around a third of people who use sunbeds may become addicted to the tanning effects. Researchers also found those sunbed-users who were addicted were also more likely to suffer from anxiety and more prone to alcohol and drug use.

The US researchers said tackling these underlying problems may be the key to encouraging people to quit using sunbeds and cut the risk they have of skin cancer.

To try and prevent the use of sunbeds for the young, a bill to ban sunbeds for under-18s was recently passed by the House of Lords in the UK.

Sunbed usage

The researchers found that the sunbed-users had visited a salon on average, 23 times in the past year.

To aid them with their research, the researchers asked these individuals to fill out questionnaires designed to screen for addictive behaviours.

Further questioning showed that students who met the criteria for addiction to sunbeds were more likely to show signs of anxiety and use drugs such as alcohol and marijuana.

The researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York said steps to reduce people's risk of skin cancer should address the addictive nature of sunbeds and the potential relationship to other addictions, the article sunbed tans are addictive warn researchers states.

"Despite ongoing efforts to educate the public about the health risks associated with natural and non-solar UV radiation, recreational tanning continues to increase among young adults," they warned.

They added that research should look at whether screening for anxiety and depression screening would be useful for people who use sunbeds frequently.

Light exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from indoor tanning beds and the sun promotes the release of endorphins, which are our brain's natural 'feel-good' chemicals.

"You just feel good afterward," said Dr. Darrell Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Centre to WebMD. "Tanning is an addiction, just like smoking, and there is a cancer outcome just like there is with smoking."

"If you are feeling stressed and anxious, you may feel better after tanning, but there are much healthier ways to reduce anxiety," said psychologist Carolyn Heckman . "It is possible that if we treat the underlying anxiety, depression, substance abuse or body image issues, we would reduce indoor tanning and the health risks associated with indoor tanning."

The tanning industry in the US says tanning is more of a trend than an addiction.

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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