Dear Reverend, In the summer, my sister spends all of her free time lying out in the sun, using tanning lotion that has little to no SPF. Other times of the year, she goes to whatever tanning salon she can find. She says she knows it's bad for her, but she's not going to stop. Can a person be addicted to tanning? How can I get her to smarten up? Pace T. Enproud (man, 25) Dear Pace T. Enproud, Although many people consider a tan to be a "healthy glow," it's actually a sign that skin is reacting to injury. When human skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, it produces melanin, the pigment that causes darkening, in order to prevent further harm to deeper layers. The radiation from the sun, or a tanning bed, can damage DNA and cause all sorts of serious problems over time. Your concern for your sister is certainly warranted. Tanning dependance, sometimes referred to as "tanorexia," is an excessive or compulsive need to tan despite known health risks, and it is considered a behavioral addiction. There is evidence showing that UV exposure causes the body to release an endorphin into the bloodstream, so tanning may have the potential to be physiologically addictive as well. According to a 2017 study conducted by researchers at Georgetown University, 20 percent of women who tan show signs of tanning dependence. As with any addiction, trying to convince someone to stop can be damn near impossible. You could buy your sis some sunscreen or a gift card for a spray tan, but I doubt she'd use them. Your best bet is to have a serious conversation and let her know you're worried about the negative effects tanning may be having on her health. Urge her to see a dermatologist. Heck, you could even make the appointment for her and tag along for moral support. Perhaps talking to a skin care professional would finally get her to see the light. Good luck and God bless, The Reverend…
Dear Reverend, In the summer, my sister spends all of her free time lying out in the sun, using tanning lotion that has little to no SPF. Other times of the year, she goes to whatever tanning salon she can find. She says she knows it's bad for her, but she's not going to stop. Can a person be addicted to tanning? How can I get her to smarten up? Pace T. Enproud (man, 25) Dear Pace T. Enproud, Although many people consider a tan to be a "healthy glow," it's actually a sign that skin is reacting to injury. When human skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, it produces melanin, the pigment that causes darkening, in order to prevent further harm to deeper layers. The radiation from the sun, or a tanning bed, can damage DNA and cause all sorts of serious problems over time. Your concern for your sister is certainly warranted. Tanning dependance, sometimes referred to as "tanorexia," is an excessive or compulsive need to tan despite known health risks, and it is considered a behavioral addiction. There is evidence showing that UV exposure causes the body to release an endorphin into the bloodstream, so tanning may have the potential to be physiologically addictive as well. According to a 2017 study conducted by researchers at Georgetown University, 20 percent of women who tan show signs of tanning dependence. As with any addiction, trying to convince someone to stop can be damn near impossible. You could buy your sis some sunscreen or a gift card for a spray tan, but I doubt she'd use them. Your best bet is to have a serious conversation and let her know you're worried about the negative effects tanning may be having on her health. Urge her to see a dermatologist. Heck, you could even make the appointment for her and tag along for moral support. Perhaps talking to a skin care professional would finally get her to see the light. Good luck and God bless, The Reverend…
