Is Tanning Addictive?
Despite the well-knownfacts that tanning, both indoor and outdoor, can increase your risk for皮肤癌and cause premature aging of the skin, some people continue to tan. Despite warnings from health organizations, health professionals, and possibly family and friends, they can’t stop. The reasoning behind continuing to tan despite the risks might have many causes. Here are two you hear others discussing:
青年Some say that young people tan because skin cancer is considered a disease that affects older people, and they just don’t consider the risks of something that may or may not happen years from now. Many teens and young adults see themselves as invincible.
Vanity.People who tan continuously might believe that a tanned complexion makes them look better and that their appearance is more important than the risk of skin cancer or wrinkles.
And while those reasons might be true sometimes, there might be something else at work here: Some research indicates that tanning might be addictive. Frequent tanners exhibit signs of both physical and psychological dependence, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. While the desire for a tanned appearance was the strongest motivation, people also reported that tanning improved their mood and helped them relax.UV light已被证明能增加内啡肽，大脑中的化学物质通常被称为“感觉良好的化学物质”，因为它们能缓解疼痛并产生幸福感。大卫·费舍尔医学博士领导的研究发现，每天暴露在紫外线下会增加大脑中被海洛因或吗啡等药物激活的同一途径的活动，这两种药物都是高度成瘾性药物。
Matthew Howard, Ph.D., from the University of North Carolina, indicates that anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of people who regularly go to the beach or visit日光浴沙龙could meet the criteria for a tanning addiction. This is most prevalent in young, white, fair-skinned women, according to Dr. Howard. Those that are addicted to tanning might show signs and symptoms similar to withdrawal when they are unable to tan. Some might tan for as much as 40 hours a week, not just for a bronzed look but because they like the way spending time in the light makes them feel.
美国精神病学协会使用CAGE问卷帮助确定物质依赖性。只有四个问题，但它的目的是帮助发现药物滥用。A.study completed at the University of Texasin 2005 modified the questions for tanning:
Have you ever felt the need to cut down your tanning?
你有没有因为被批评晒黑而感到恼火？
Have you ever had guilty feelings about tanning?
Have you ever wanted to tan first thing in the morning?
The researchers found that 26 percent of the participants would be classified as “tanning dependent” based on their answers. A secondstudy从2014年开始，研究人员发现，这一比例较低，11%的人符合晒黑依赖标准。这项研究的作者认为存在差异，因为第一项研究招募的参与者都是海滩游客，而第二项研究一般针对大学生。尽管如此，第二项研究的作者指出，研究结果表明，与依赖酒精或烟草的学生的结果相似。
Dr. Fisher, whose research team found that UV light boosted endorphins in mice, is currently working on a product that would darken skin without UV exposure. This would help in cutting back on tanning for those that want the bronzed look but might not help those who want the mood-enhancing effects of tanning.
The Skin Cancer Foundation indicates the following can be used to help reduce tanning dependence:
Use exercise as a way to boost endorphins
Apply strict laws and regulations to prevent children from using tanning beds
Use spray or creams to get the bronzed look
Use sunscreen when out in direct sunlight
Educate people on the risks of tanning
Prevention, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, is key. Teaching children the proper use of sunscreen, the importance of practicing sun safety, and reinforcing these lessons from an early age can help to prevent future skin cancer.
