Tanorexia: An Addiction to Ultraviolet Radiation

Samantha PeraltaPublic Health Community

What are UV Rays?

Ultraviolet Rays produced from the sun

2 types of UV rays that reach our skin: UVA UVB

Causes sunburn

Dangerous to skin

SUNBURN CANCERS

What Is Tanorexia?

• Used to describe tanning as an addictive behavior

• Excessive tanning behavior meets criteria for the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition)

Tanning Addiction

Why is tanning addictive?Linked to similar symptoms of substance use and

abuse

Problems With UV Tanning

Overexposure to UV rays causes:Premature

agingArray of

deadly skin cancers

Potentially blinding eye diseases

Melanoma

Most common type of cancer in the US

Over 2 million cases reported yearly

In 2012, the US reported:67,753 people diagnosed 9,251 died 1 American dies

from melanoma every hour

ABCD’s of Cancer Symptoms

Other Bodily Dangers

Skin:Basal Cell CarcinomaSquamous Cell Carcinoma

Eye:CataractsOcular Melanoma

Similarities to Substance DependencePeople continue using UV beds w/ the

knowledge of harmful risks

Disregard for health similar to substance abuse symptoms

Motivated by feelings of euphoria/emotional effects

Examples: cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, etc.

Drug Abuse Symptoms

Tolerance The need to raise intensity of

beds for same effects as before

WithdrawalDiscomfort without having

tanned recently

Difficulty with controlTanning despite awareness of

consequences

UV “high”

Frequent tanners receive feelings of euphoria while using UV light

Motivated by direct emotional effect:RelaxationEnhanced moodStress relief Improved energy

Similar to nicotine addiction, tanners need daily dose to obtain same feelings

Tanning Among Adolescents

Becoming more prominent among younger crowds

Minors under 17 are banned from indoor tanning in N.J.Adolescents disregard this

14-year-olds are exposing themselves to intense UV rays

More Statistics

According to 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, indoor tanning is used by:13% All high school students20% High school girls27% Girls in the 12th grade31% Caucasian high school girls

Lack of Knowledge

Unaware of the addictive euphoric feelings

Tanning past the point of what is necessary

Ignoring the recommended duration/amount of time

Use that noggin, not the tanning

beds!

Negative Influences

Media has portrayed tanning in a positive lightTV stars are encouraging the use of tanning beds

Younger generations are influenced by this

Other Uses Of Tanning

Studies show those w/ disorders are more likely to be frequent tanners

They seek relief of psychological problems

Form a reliance on UV radiation

Facts About Indoor Tanning

Not safer than tanning outdoors

A base tan is not a safe tan

More likely to get sunburnt

Not a safe way to get Vitamin D

Remember, this can happen to you! (to slide 8)

How To Protect Your Body

DO NOT indoor tan

Use sunblock when outside

Do not allow yourself to burn

Find shade

Wear sunglasses or a hat to protect eyes

Self-Examination

Check skin from head to toe once a month

Use the ABCD’s to identify abnormal spots on skin

See your physician for skin cancer exams

Get checked!

Protect Your Body, It’s The Only One You Get!

References Ashrafioun, L., Boner, E.E. (2013). Tanning addiction and psychopathology: Further evaluation of

anxiety disorders and substance abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 70(3), 473-480. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.057

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Indoor Tanning Is Not Safe. (August 27, 2015). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/indoor_tanning.htm

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Skin cancer statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/index.htm

Guy, G. P., Berkowitz, Z., Everett Jones, S., O’Malley Olsen, E., Miyamoto, J. N., Michael, S. L., & Saraiya, M. (2014). State indoor tanning laws and adolescent indoor tanning. American Journal Of Public Health, 104(4), e69-e74. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301850

Heckman, C.Y., Cohen-Filipic, J., Darlow, S., Kloss, J.D., Manne, S.L., & Munshi, T. (2014). Psychiatric symptoms of young adult female indoor tanners. Journal of Health and Promotion, 28(3), 168-174. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.120912-QUAN-442

Skin Cancer Foundation. Preventing Skin Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/preventing-skin-cancer

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Facts about skin cancer: New jersey. (2010). Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/nj_facts_web.pdf