Tanning dependence
Tanning dependence or tanorexia (a
Medical evidence
Tanning dependence may have a physiological basis involving endogenous
The finding that excessive tanning can lead to dependence is based upon "the observations of many dermatologists." Dermatologists tell researchers that although they advise their patients not to visit tanning beds because of the risk of melanoma, patients still do. In a 2014 literature review, researchers wrote that many people who tan excessively meet psychiatry's symptom criteria for substance abuse.[7] In a case where ten studies provided data for the assessment of melanoma risk among subjects who reported “ever” being exposed compared with those “never” exposed; a positive association was found between exposure and risk.[8]
The effects of tanning dependence include but are not limited to skin cancer, skin burns, premature skin aging, and eye damage (both short and long-term).[9]
Example cases
Extreme instances may be an indication of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD),[10] a mental disorder in which one is extremely critical of his or her physique or self-image to an obsessive and compulsive degree. As it is with anorexia, a person with BDD is said to show signs of a characteristic called distorted body image. In layman's terms, anorexia sufferers commonly believe they are overweight, many times claiming they see themselves as "fat", when in reality, they are often, but not always, nutritionally underweight and physically much thinner than the average person. In the same way, a sufferer of "tanorexia" may believe him or herself to have a much lighter – even a pale – complexion when he or she is actually quite dark-skinned.
Neither tanning dependence nor tanorexia are covered under the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, a 2005 article in The Archives of Dermatology presents a case for UV light tanning dependence to be viewed as a type of substance abuse disorder.[11]
Tan Mom
In 2012, New Jersey mother Patricia Krentcil received national media attention amid accusations that she had brought her five-year-old daughter with her to a tanning salon in order for the child to receive a tan. The child's school nurse had expressed concern over her sunburn, at which point the daughter claimed she had gone "tanning with Mommy". This prompted the school to call
Treatment
Excessive tanning increases the risk of developing certain types of skin cancer. People that are addicted to tanning are dealing with a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).[19] People with tanorexia dislike the color of their skin but in reality the perceived defect may be only a slight imperfection or non-existent. Commonly, people who are suffering from tanorexia also suffer from anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and eating disorders.
To get the right treatment for tanorexia, people must mention specifically their concerns with their appearance when they talk to a doctor or mental health professional. Effective treatments that are available at the moment are cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressant medications, hypnosis and addiction treatment centers.[19] Antidepressant medications include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and can help relieve the obsessive and compulsive symptoms of tanorexia. The third treatment, is an audio hypnosis session which is developed by psychologists with a wide experience in helping people beat all kinds of addictive behaviour patterns.[20][unreliable source?] Lastly, people with an extreme tanning addiction can look for help at specific addiction centres that are spread throughout the United States.[21][unreliable source?]
Tanning culture in the Western Hemisphere
In Western European culture, pale skin has indicated high status. A tan signified that you had to work outdoors as a manual laborer, while pale skin announced that you could afford to stay out of the sun and spend time and money cultivating your appearance. In the 1920s, pioneering fashion designer Coco Chanel popularized the idea of tanning. She made it so the sun represented pleasure and relaxation as well as wealth.[22] Post Industrial Revolution, tanning gained popularity because at this time it was easier to be employed, and therefore there was less outdoor manual labor, and more indoor labor. Due to more indoor jobs, a tan began to mean that you had the leisure time to bronze your skin and the money to travel to places where it could be acquired. A tan also represented enthusiasm for outdoor activities, as well as physical fitness and good health.[23]
When tanning bed became implemented the concept of tanning changed yet again. The first self tanner, Tan-Man, was introduced in 1959, and
There have been health issues related to tanning trends. In 2014 most Australian states put a ban on all commercial tanning beds. It is the second nation after Brazil to impose restrictions. In 2011 over 2000 people died from skin cancer in Australia. Several European counties and American States have banned the use of tanning beds by minors.[27] Scientists have also suspected that frequent exposure to UVs has the potential to become addictive. Researchers have found that several parts of the brain that play a role in addiction are active when people are exposed to UV rays.[28]
Tanning culture in the Eastern Hemisphere
In the mid-1990s, a new type of tanning trend appeared in Japan called Ganguro. It was a way for Japanese women to resist traditional roles for women in Japan.[29] The style is described as having deep tans and blond, orange, or silver gray hair. Many of these women were shunned by the public and media.[30]
See also
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Vitamin D overdose
References
- ^ "Young 'tanorexics' risking cancer". BBC News. 24 May 2004. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- PMID 16103324.
- S2CID 41141638.
- PMID 24001299.
- S2CID 29583889.
- ^ a b Heckman, CJ (2011). "Indoor tanning: Tanning dependence and other health risks". Skin Care. 6: 20–22.
- ^ PMID 24001299.
- PMID 15767329.
- S2CID 45313679.
- PMID 17434030.
- ^ M. Warthan, T. Uchida, R. Wagner, Jr. UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder. Archives of Dermatology, August 2005; vol 141: pp 963-966.
- ^ "Grand jury says no indictment for mom in tan salon visit by daughter, 5". 2013-02-27. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ 'Tanning Mom' In Court, Denies Daughter, 5, Burned in Tan Salon: Does She Suffer from 'Tanorexia'?
- ^ "New Jersey tanning mom denies charges of child endangerment". 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ "'Tanning mom' Patricia Krentcil banned from over 60 tanning salons, report says". 2012-05-10. Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ "NJ Mom Arrested for Allegedly Taking Daughter, 5, into Tanning Booth". 2012-05-02. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ "'I'm still going to tan,' vows mom cleared in endangerment case". 2013-02-27. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ "'Tanning mom' no longer tan". 2012-08-03. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
- ^ a b "Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA". www.adaa.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ "Overcome tanorexia | Self Hypnosis Downloads". www.hypnosisdownloads.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ "Tanning Addiction | Stop Your Addiction". Stop Your Addiction. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ Sarnoff, Deborah S. "The Tale of Tanning". Skin Cancer Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019.
- ^ Hunt, Yvonne, Erik Augustson, Lila Rutten, Richard Moser, Amy Yaroch. (September 7, 2011). History and Culture of Tanning in the United States. Springer Netherlands.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Tavernise, Sabrina (January 10, 2015). "Warning: That Tan Could Be Hazardous". The New York Times.
- ^ Reed, Audrey (February 16, 2006). "Tanorexia: The Real Orange Epidemic". Pepperdine Graphic.
- ^ Britt, Robert Roy (8 April 2009). "Tanorexia: The Insidious Lure of Tanning Beds". April 08, 2009. Live Science. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011.
- ^ "Australia bans commercial tanning beds". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ O'Connor, Anahad. "How Tanning Changes the Brain". Well. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ "Ganguro, Yamanba, and Manba". Japanese Fashion Trends. 2010-06-12. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 2017-05-10.
- ^ Info, Japan. "From Ganguro to Gyaru: 4 Japanese Girl Styles | Japan Info". jpninfo.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-05-10.