Researchers at the University of Texas released the results of a new study that tries to explain why people continue to sunbathe despite numerous warnings about skin cancer and other health issues. Their findings: sun bathing may be addictive.
The results were published in the 'Archives of Dermatology.' The study found that as many as 53 percent of those tanning on the beach could be dependent on getting a sun tan.
One expert said the study provided 'an interesting insight into why people continue to binge-sunbathe' although others said binge sunbathing is more of an 'extreme behavior' than an actual addiction.
The researchers asked 145 people on the beach between the ages of 18 and 53 about their regular sun bathing habits. They used a series of questions that were similar to those asked to people who may be alcoholics. The results: 26 percent of those questioned were classified as 'ultraviolet light tanning dependent.' Furthermore, 53 percent of those questioned were found to be addicted to ultraviolet light and related sun tanning.
'It's interesting that slightly modifying tools used to identify substance-related disorders, we can actually see an objective similarity between regular tanning and those disorders,' explained study leader Richard Wagner.
'Dermatologists often talk about people who are 'addicted to the sun' - people who know it's not good for them to be bronzed all the time, but don't seem to be able to stop tanning.'
Professor Wagner said the body may release endorphins when ultraviolet light hits the skin of those who feel compelled to tan.
'Certainly, this could explain why education interventions [about tanning risks] haven't been more successful,' Wagner concluded.
Other experts felt that the behavior was more peer pressure oriented rather than actually being physically addictive. Either way, this small study gives experts clues as to how to address the growing problem of excess exposure to the sun.
