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Posts Tagged ‘addiction’

Still Tanning Despite the Risks? Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Excessive sun exposure and tanning bed use increases the risk of getting melanoma, basal cell cancer and other non-melanoma cancers.  We have several patients who, despite having been treated for serious skin cancer, continue to tan.  Why?  Well, it turns out that they may suffer from a tanning addiction.  They suffer uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms when they try to stop.  Many repeat tanners exhibit addictive behaviors similar to those exhibited by people addicted to substances such as meth and alcohol.  In a recent study (Arch Dermatol 2010 Apr;146:412) 70% of study participants who visited tanning parlors met criteria for addiction to indoor tanning.  Study participants who met criteria for addiction also had greater anxiety and greater alcohol and marijuana use.  Tanning addiction seems to involve the same drives as other  forms of substance related  disorders.  Of course , it is important to distinguish addicted from non-addicted tanners.  It is hoped that lessons learned from treating other addictions can be translated into concrete interventions to reduce risky tanning behavior.

 

Tanning - A New Addiction: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

There is no question that exposure to high levels of ultraviolet rays cause skin cancer, not to mention premature aging and pigmentation issues of the skin.  Despite this fact, however, tanning salons and outdoor sun tanning still remain popular, especially among young adults.  So what keeps people returning to those booths and baking on their beach towels when they know the indisputable risks?

Well, Mosher and Danoff-Burg propose that habitual indoor tanning may, in some cases, be best characterized as an addiction with behavioral and physiologic dependency.  Roughly one third of the college students who took screening tests (one that is commonly used to screen for alcoholism and a tanning-specific substance related disorder test) met criteria for addiction to ultraviolet tanning. This subgroup also showed a greater tendency for substance abuse and anxiety, suggesting that habitual tanning may be a predictor of other addictive behaviors, such as alcoholism and cigarette smoking.

Looking at tanning with this mindset and identifying patients who show signs of addiction toward tanning will hopefully give the medical community a new way to approach this topic with their patients and help them avoid this risky behavior before they encounter potentially life threatening conditions like melanoma.

If it is simply the “tan look” that people seek, tanning alternatives continue to improve and are a great way to get a glow without any risk.  Our staff and patients are currently loving the products by TanTowel.  The self-tanning towelettes are easy to use, with a simple swipe on action.  Streaks and discolorations are easily avoidable with the towelette.  They also have a great self-tanning soap that is used conveniently in the shower to supplement your towelettes or to achieve a more gradual glow.  The towelettes and soap along with their self-tanning lotion give the most natural looking color that I have found among sunless tanning products.  Check with our office today for more information on the Tan Towel products and to give yourself a summer glow without the harmful UV rays!

 

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