Sunbeds ‘Can Be Addictive’
By admin • Apr 22nd, 2010Spring is here and many women may now be in a desperate drive to give their pasty legs and arms a healthy glow before they dig out their skimpy summer wardrobe.
However, they may wish to be wary of how much time they spend in search of the perfect tan, with new research revealing that sunbed sessions could be just as addictive as drugs or alcohol.
Furthermore, the study from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and published in the journal Archives of Dermatology revealed that sunbed addicts are more prone to substance abuse, as well as being at an increased risk of suffering from anxiety and depression.
By addressing such problems, the researchers asserted that heavy tanning addicts may be able to address their use of salons and stop using them altogether.
Matthew Patey, chief executive officer of the British Skin Foundation, said it should come as no surprise that people become addicted to sunbeds as the endorphins released in the brain during the tanning process can give people an emotional boost.
"[This] might explain why some people find tanning addictive. The psychological effect of feeling more attractive when tanned may also have an effect," he added.
In addition to the above health concerns, it is widely known that prolonged exposure to UV light can also put people at an increased risk of skin cancer.
For all these reasons, women may find it is far safer to get their summer tan out of a bottle this year, rather than visiting the sunbeds.
However, following the success of Vamp flicks and shows such as the Twilight franchise, True Blood, Being Human and the Vampire Diaries, Brits may wish to forgo the tan altogether this year, in favour of a pale and interesting look that is far more on trend.
Do you use sunbeds?