Tanorexia: An Unknown Addiction To Tanning
Have you ever heard of the dangers of tanorexia? This term and the addiction it describes are largely unknown to the general public. Yet, this form of tanning dependence can have serious health consequences. I invite you to discover this surprising addiction to the sun in 5 questions.
1- What is tanorexia?
The term tanorexia is not very common. And yet, it refers to an addiction well known to doctors and dermatologists.
This word, which derives from the verb tan, "to bronze" in English, refers to the addiction to skin tanning. It is also referred to as sun addiction or bronzomania.
2- What are the symptoms of tanorexia?
Like other forms of addiction, tanorexia alters the behavior of those who suffer from it. It manifests as the compulsive need to expose oneself to the sun or, during the winter period, to undergo artificial tanning sessions in UV booths at beauty salons.
Doctors consider a person to be tanorexic when their need to expose themselves to the sun becomes a priority in their daily life. Specifically, people who suffer from tanorexia:
• organize their schedule to be able to tan several times a day.
• multiply natural or artificial tanning sessions despite the health risks.
• may lie, steal money, or take out a loan to finance their tanning sessions at a salon.
This addiction to the sun shares several common symptoms with other forms of dependence:
• excessive use of the sun or UV booths despite knowing the health risks.
• an irresistible urge to tan regardless of the social or physical consequences of this behavior.
• loss of control that can lead the person to lie and steal.
• the need to increase doses, in this case, the frequency and intensity of sun exposure, to achieve effects comparable to those felt at the beginning.
3- Who is affected by tanning addiction?
According to medical statistics, tanorexia affects women more than men.
It mainly affects young women, between 25 and 40 years old, who pay great attention to their physical appearance and often suffer from dysmorphia (i.e., a distorted perception of their own body). In the case of tanning addiction, these women always find themselves too pale...
There is also, in this addiction to the sun, a form of behavioral mimicry between mother and daughter. Researchers have established that a young girl is three times more likely to suffer from this addiction if her mother is herself addicted to tanning.
4- What are the health risks of tanorexia?
Doctors are unequivocal about the dangers of excessive sun exposure without sunscreen:
• premature skin aging.
• risk of burns.
• increased risk of skin cancer, such as melanoma or basal cell carcinoma.
Dermatologists also warn about the dangers of tanning beds, with some even calling them cancer machines! The statistics are striking. In a 2018 study, the health safety agency Anses indicated that 43% of melanoma cases among young people in France can be attributed to "the use of tanning beds before the age of 30".
5- How to treat tanorexia?
According to a 2014 American study from Boston Hospital, UV exposure triggers the same pleasure and addiction mechanisms as opiates. More specifically, sun exposure triggers the secretion of beta-endorphin, a psychotropic substance in the same family as morphine or heroin.
In light of this study, it is understood how difficult it is to break free from this sun addiction, especially since there is no specific treatment for this dependency.
To overcome this obsession with tanning and this harmful behavior for health, it is essential to follow cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT: only a psychiatrist (ideally specialized in addictionology) can help the patient recognize their addiction, understand its origin, and reduce their sun exposure.
Moreover, this addiction may hide another problem, such as OCD, an anxiety disorder, or depression, which require medical attention.
