Using sunbeds can be addictive, say experts

THE attraction of a suntan may be more than just cosmetic – research suggests sunbeds can be just as addictive as drug-taking

An addiction to tanning, the so-called "tanorexia", is linked to anxiety, excessive drinking and use of drugs such as cannabis, it found.

Researchers in the US recruited 229 college students for the study, published in the journal Archives of Dermatology.

Overall, 70 students met one set of clinical criteria for suffering from an addiction and 90 met another.

Addicted students were found to use sunbeds more often and were more likely to say they suffered anxiety than those who were not addicted.

The authors concluded: "This study provides further support for the notion that tanning may be conceptualised as an addictive behaviour for a subgroup of individuals who tan indoors.

"Overall, findings suggest that individuals who use drugs may be more likely to develop dependence on indoor tanning because of a similar addictive process."

Taking steps to cut down the use of sunbeds may reduce these symptoms and reduce the risk of young people developing skin cancer, the researchers said.

They added: "Findings suggest that interventions to reduce skin cancer risk should address the addictive qualities of indoor tanning for a minority of individuals and the relationship of this behaviour to other addictions and affective disturbance."

Gary Lipman, chairman of the Sunbed Association, which represents the industry, said the study had "little if any scientific merit".

He added: "It acknowledges on several occasions that its findings are hypothetical and there are so many flaws contained within it that I am surprised it was even published, let alone being considered worth reporting on. Just under half the study sample of university students had never even used a sunbed."