Tanning May Be Addictive

Despite the dangers and the health warnings, some people
feel like they just have to tan.

Now a new survey shows what dermatologists have long suspected -- that
tanning can be an addictive behavior, similar to a drug or alcohol
addiction.

The finding may shed light on why public health messages about the risks of
sun exposure have been ignored by so many people, especially teens and young
adults.

"If tanning is addictive, as our study suggests, it helps explain why
education alone will probably not stop high-risk tanning behaviors -- similar
to how the 'don't drink' and 'don't smoke' messages often fail to change
behaviors," researcher Robin L. Hornung, MD, MPH, says in a news
release.

A Tanner's High?

Previous research suggests that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, either
from indoor tanning beds or the sun itself, causes the release of endorphins,
which can produce euphoric sensations. The euphoria is the same as the
"runner's high" that people often experience with intense exercise.

In the new study, 385 students at the University of Washington at Seattle
were surveyed in an effort to find out if tanning rose to the level of an
addictive behavior.

Four of the survey questions, designed to determine if exposure to UV light
was an addiction, were modified from a screening tool for alcohol abuse, known
as the "cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener" (CAGE) questionnaire.
Those who reported "yes" to two or more questions were considered to
have a positive screening. The questions were:

• Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on tanning?B


• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your tanning?B


• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your tanning?B


• Have you ever thought about tanning first thing in the morning?

Women tanners were more likely than men to score positively in their CAGE
response, suggesting UV light addiction. Of the respondents who acknowledged
purposely tanning, 22% of the women and 8% of the men had positive CAGE
results.

'Education Isn't Enough'

Hornung and co-researcher Solmaz Poorsattar also found that:

• Indoor tanners were more likely to report problem tanning behaviors than
  outdoor tanners -- 28% vs. 18% answered CAGE questions positively.B


• Almost one in 10 intentional tanners (9%) reported tanning more than 20
  times a month.B


• Survey respondents who reported a family history of skin cancer were more
  likely to engage in tanning than those without such a history.B


• Three out of four tanners said they exposed their skin to UV light to look
  better, while 41% said they tanned to relax and 22% said they tanned to feel
  healthy.B


• One in five tanners believed that they tanned too much. The same percentage
  reported feeling guilty about tanning, and about one in 10 said they had been
  annoyed by people's criticism of their tanning.

Washington, D.C., dermatologist and American Academy of Dermatology board
member Sandra Read, MD, says she is all too familiar with patients who want to
stop tanning but can't.

"I hear the language of addiction in their comments," she tells
WebMD. "They tell me, 'I know it's not good for me, but I can't stop' and
'I wish I could stop,'" she says. "I liken it to a nicotine adiction.
For some people it isn't just a question of choice. It's physical."

When patients tell her they are tanning to look better, she tries to get
them to switch to a cosmetic tanner.

"There are very good products out there to help people achieve the look
they want without tanning," she says.

B

By
Reviewed by Louise Chang
B)2005-2006 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved