According to new research, people who regularly use tanning beds meet the typical addiction criteria. Also, according to HealthDay.com, a proportion of people who repeatedly bask under sun lamps who meet the standard criteria for addiction reported higher levels of anxiety and substance use. There may be hope though for hard-core tanning bed users; experts say if people truly are addicted to using tanning beds, then addiction treatments might actually help prevent skin cancer.
“If, for some people, tanning is a way to cope with emotions, then there are obviously healthier ways to do so than going to tanning salons every week,” said study co-author Catherine E. Mosher. A whopping 90 percent of all skin cancers are due to ultraviolet radiation, which can be disfiguring and sometimes deadly. Because the risks of using a tanning bed are so high, U.S. health advisers recently recommended stronger regulations on the use of tanning beds by people under the age of 18.
According to HealthDay.com, one theory on why tanning beds can be addicting is because the exposure to UV radiation increases the activity of the body’s natural opioids, which can reinforce addictive behavior. Also, it might be a way for people to cope with stress.
If you are seeking ways to relieve stress, try getting a relaxing massage as opposed to making a trip to the tanning salon. Find a massage therapist near you.
