Dying for a good tan ?
Tanorexia
The latest statistics for skin cancer deaths in the UK are well over 2000 from malignant melanoma skin cancer and 546 from nonmelanoma skin cancer . And are still increasing .
Tanning addiction is an uncommon condition where people seem to have a physical or psychological addiction to sun bathing or using tanning beds .
A group of dermatologists published a study showing that everyday tanners experience a loss of control over their tanning schedule , displaying an addiction similar to smokers and alcoholics .
Dying for a good tan ?
An increasing number of teenagers prepare to bare their bits for the summer months by baking their bodies on sunbeds . But this kind of artificial tan does not protect against sunburn , and the long-term consequences of using a sunbed can be serious .
Sunbeds contain fluorescent tubes , which tan the skin by emitting Ultraviolet Rays , the same type of radiation that is found in natural sunlight . Two types of radiation are used ; UVA and UVB rays . About 95 % of sunlight is made up of UVA rays , which causes skin ageing , and about 5 % is UVB rays , which causes skin to burn . Though Britain has sunbed safety standards , researchers say 9 out of 10 sunbeds give off unsafe levels of UV .
Is it really worth having a tan ?
Biochemical evidence indicates that tanning addicts are addicted to an opioid release experienced during tanning .
About 10 % of the population in Northern Europe use sunbeds to get a tan , and it is most popular among people with fair skin . About 24 % of British 16-24 year-olds have used a sunbed . There ' s been concern recently about the growing number of people as young as 13 using tanning beds . The number of young men who use sunbeds has also increased .
There are other alternatives out there instead of damaging your skin using tanning beds . There are many fake tan products being marketed and are perfectly safe , e . g spray tans .
So the next time you want a healthy glow , take it from a bottle