HHS HealthBeat (September 18, 2008)

Tanorexia

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Need that tan fix?

Researchers say some people do – that people can develop a dependency on tanning, like they can to alcohol and other drugs. They need to tan a lot, feel bad when they’re not tanning, and do it even though they know it can harm them – from wrinkling to deadly skin cancer.

Carolyn Heckman of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia found that in a survey of college students. Her study in the American Journal of Health Behavior was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The study found about 27 percent reported symptoms of tanning dependency – what’s been called tanorexia.

Heckman is wary of ultraviolet rays. She says they basically cook your skin.

``I recommend that people limit their ultraviolet radiation exposure, both indoors and outdoors, and that they use UV protection like clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses.’’ (9 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: September, 18 2008