Tanorexia: What’s It All About?
About tanning addiction.
Image via Wikipedia
Researched on: Mental Health Blog
Is it really possible to become addicted to tanning? Tanorexia is named as a Pathology, just like many other mental health illnesses.
A study that had been done by Fox Chase Cancer Center found that 25% of those studied had symptoms of dependence upon tanning. Some of these Symptoms were similar to what alcoholics and addicts go through. They gave the Participants a questionnaire that they would normally give to substance abusers.
It measured things like tolerance to tanning, difficulty in controlling tanning behaviour, and if they were going through withdrawals.
They also looked at the Participants level of intentional and unintentional sun exposure, how many times they used a tanning booth, and how many times they used a chemical tanner.
The Study confirmed that 27% were dependant on tanning, and 40% had used tanning booths. Also, Sun tanners and indoor tanners were found to be more closer to tanorexia during winter than those who were just indoor tanners.
There are definitely serious risks from being tanorexic.
Liked it
Darla Smith | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
My sister goes to tanning booths year round. Today she’s having skin cancer removed from her face.
OhSugar | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
I live in Florida so there are tons of tanners here. Hopefully, most are naturally tanned by the sun. However, I am sure some folk go to salons, which I have heard can very bad for ones health. I enjoyed reading this article.
Karen Gross | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Thankfully white skin seems to be making a come back. I have worn sun block on my face everyday for at least 15 years now. I have almost no wrinkles – although that could be genetic – my grandmother had smooth skin all her life.
Al | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
I have never been one for a tan, if i get a tan then ok but i wont go out of my way to get one.
JIm | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
I don’t tan i get red why I’m a white man lol an burn so i well never be a addict
amilia snow | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
interesting article Carrie, from where i come from, we don’t have the need to go to tanning booths, just a mid-day walk could give u one…
sandra witter | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Hi carrie, my sister was obessed in looking brown, so when there was no sun which we don’t get much in England, she went on the sunbeds and once she was under too long and got burned. So no doubt she was an addict to be brown. I thing people look better brown the natural way and not the forced or false way. Hope this helps you, sandie.
sandra witter | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
i like the picture of no body is safe,showing you all the different body parts, it could also mean nobody is safe meaning everybody. Take care sandie.
Eunice Tan | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Carrie, this is new for me. Very informative. In my country people has dark skin and they are obsessed to have white skin. Some whitening lotions, with mercury ingredients, are dangerous too.
DAVID CARTIER | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
i live in the south and we have a lot of people who signs of the ailmentor addiction ,very informative carrie good write ,thanks
Monica Sappleton | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Great piece of informative writing, Carrie. Continue to keep up the good work.
Monica.
Taffy | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article!
vim3 | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the new information…had never heard of this before. In India we have this fairness craze which can be as dangerous as the tanning craze I think:)Why are people never happy the way they are?
umashankari | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Carrie, the article is extremely interesting. It provides useful info. But I think the picture that goes with it refers to tannery (works with animal hides), not tanning.
rutherfranc | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
too much sun hurts..
CEMANES Writes | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great piece friend! Thanks I’ve learned a new term, “tanorexia”.
Here in our place, we avoid being exposed to the sun. True, it really hurts to be under the rays of the sun specially that our ozone layer has a wide hole already. Besides, people here go for fair complexion than a tanned one.
Kate Smedley | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Very good article Carrie, there was huge publicity last week in the UK about the amount of women in their 20s dying of skin cancer from sunbed use.
Aaron Paul Hicks | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
I really enjoyed your article, i must confess i went through the phase of going in tanning salons to give myself what i thought was a healthy glow! these places should be regulated! good work
Lady Sunshine | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Interesting piece, Carrie. It is scary what some people will go through for their addiction.
DA Cournean | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Some sun is good for health. It is a good Vitamin D source. However, just like anything else, people forget to use moderation.
Kimber777 | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for writing this article! My friend is an addict and has tried to stop tanning. I’m worried about her health now, I can show her your article.
nutuba | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
This is fascinating!
Luffy12 | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
sunlight in the morning is good not the sunray on afternoon
Melissa Ryan | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
that is a very good article that you wrote. Thanks for sharing. very informative. never heard of it before. thanks again
Joni Keith | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
Wow, who’d have thought? I grew up in California and am half Native American so I always had a tan without even trying. I live in Ohio now and haven’t had a tan since I’ve been here. Thank goodness I’m no tanorexic. What an interesting bit of information.
Abdella | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting, in my entire life I never meet people who use tanning booth’s or want to get a tan. But Thanks for the new information.
maranatha | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
I agree with vim3. So many folks are obsessive about their looks – that’s the issue that needs addressed. Tanorexia is just one mre invented disorder to allow a person to be a victom of ’something wrong’. This is a good article and a scary one.
Chris Stonecipher | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
I never heard of this disorder. Your article is interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing
Nicholas Kenney | Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
WOW! I never knew people could become addicted to tanning! Interesting article thanks for posting!
S A JOHNSON | May 7, 2009 | Reply
This is an interesting article. Great work
topelectrician | May 10, 2009 | Reply
i never knew that could happen….great story!..and research
CutestPrincess | May 11, 2009 | Reply
Very in depth and informative article. Well done
barbie67013 | May 11, 2009 | Reply
great article! very informative and I reaaly like knowing the name for people that contantly have to go to a tanning bed. I am so gonna fill in my daughter! lol
soujagirl592 | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
I never know tanning was that bad for the skin, very informative research. I liked how you choose a topic that not many people are familiar with. Great job.
Lauren Axelrod | Jul 30, 2009 | Reply
I never go to these these places anymore. I’d rather be less wrinkled when I get older thank you very much.