Wintertime could look like summertime for those who use tanning beds regularly to keep that sun-kissed glow going, but could this be a hard habit to break?
Yes. Why? Researchers have found out that frequent tanners experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop tanning. People with a tanning addiction or
tanorexia experience these symptoms by jittering or nausea. You know that "feel good" feeling you get after tanning? Well they're endorphins that get released in your brain that happens when the bed emits ultraviolet light rays, and if you are deprived of them, you'll feel lousy and need another tan fix.
Compulsive tanning addicts could also be motivated because of body dysmorphic disorder. The constant need to tan could be a way to improve imperfections on your body. Acne, wrinkles, a tiny flaw you may have, tanning is a way to cover up or try to fix them.
Breaking this addiction is as difficult as breaking any other, but finding that alternative for that "feel good" fix is not that hard to find. It's easy to get those endorphins released in the brain just by running on the treadmill or spinning for 45 minutes.
Another easy alternative for tanning are self-tanners. There are endless products out there for sunless tanning by using lotions or sprays that cause no sun damage or risk of skin cancer.
I work part-time at a gym where we have three beds and three stand-up booths, and it breaks my heart when I see these young girls tan nearly everyday. I'll admit I have tanned but maybe 10 times my entire life. I can understand if you are doing it for a specific reason, a wedding, I went before I went on a cruise, but if you're putting your health at risk please try to break your addiction.
SourceWhat do you think? Do you agree that it's an addiction?
Comments (49)
I never tan... I actually avoid the sun at all costs.. premature aging.. no thank you.
ha. ganguro.
i couldn't get a tan even if i tried. :Ppeople who use tanning beds or the sun can get "addicted" to the feeling they get from serotonin being released. The motivation behind BBD is probably not the same as addiction. People with BBD really think they have the flaws they think they have (whether real or imagined). It is closer to OCD than addiction. Someone with BBD that is focused on the paleness of their skin is tanning because they think they are pale not because it makes them feel better in a serotonin endorphin release kind of way.
I see no reason to ever tan. I think people look better with their natural skin color no matter what it happens to be.
I've never understood why people don't just use self-tanner.
i've never been to a tanning salon, so i don;t know if it;s addictive...i just know that the girl is the first pic is almost certainly a fjortis, and tanorexics look like oranges xD
Yep, it's an addiction alright.
Lindsay looks like a carrot. xD
I've never tanned before and I stay out of the sun if possible. I like being pale. :D
I went tanning for my graduation party...my skin still looked like Edward Cullen's (not sparkly though... that would be weird). I would go more if it worked for me, but I would go so frequently. Looking like an oompa loompa isn't very appealing to me.
haha funny this popped up cause I just went to my first tanning sesh last night! a week for 5 buckss. I loveee tanning but this is my first time tannin in a bed. I always thought it was so unnatural and plus I was not willing to spend the money that it cost to get a package...Id rather just wait for summer to roll around..plus being asian I have the wonderful gift of being semi dark already..
but my friend had that coupon for mee and my birthday is this weekend so of course I wanna look AMAZING this weekendd :)
I just love the way I look when I am tan. I look healthier and just BETTER. my acne clears up...its awesome.
p.s yes asians do tan. we get a golden bronzey gloowww ;)
i've never been in a tanning bed and hopefully someone will slap me if i tell them i'mma go try one.
(:
i try not to tan since i don't like getting too dark, i rather be pale
@lionswillroar@xanga - yeah japanese gurlz be weird.
i guess tanning : skin cancer :: smoking : lung cancer
amirite :]
I don't understand why people want to look so dark by such an unhealthy method. Pale skin can be very beautiful. Nothing's worse than leather skin on an old hag, which seems to be what my entire generation is going to look like in a few decades.
I think, if an alien ever visited the Earth, it would be surprised at the ridiculous things humans do for aesthetic purposes.
@chelseanataliex@xanga - From my understanding (I've never used self tanners), self-tanning lotions tend to be difficult to put on right, and finding a good one is a pain. I want to give it a try but I'm afraid of the streaks.
Why would you tan before a cruise?
I have never tanned. That pic of Lindsay before and after is so sad. I am happy to say that will not ever be me.
Aw, that is pretty sad that it's addicting. And you're not getting prettier because of it! Anything addictive like that will be unhealthy in the long run. I'm glad I have no want or need for tanning. I'm a little brown in the summer and porcelain pale in the winter and I love it. That's how it should be, naturally.
ive never tanned in a bed and never used a spray on.
it happens naturally during the summer.
these people that use tanning beds during the winter look so fake.
I agree that it is an addiction, and I KNOW that I was addicted. I broke the addiction, and now I am always calling myself pale, even though I'm still moderately tanned. I think this goes hand in hand with BDD. I stopped tanning for the winter, and I know it is much healthier for me since my shoulders are covered in sun-spots which can easily transform into cancer, but my self-esteem has plummeted. But honestly I need to learn how to be happy with myself without a tan.
I live in wisconsin and I have early arthritis. So the tanning beds help majorly for Wisconsin winters. When I go which only is about once every two weeks, I'm not in long, but it helps "warm the bones" and it does make me feel better
I don't agree that it's always an addiction. Some people may get addicted to it, but there are others who are able to use the tanning beds responsibly (aka, not too frequently, or not too long).
For myself, I tend to go maybe once every few weeks during the cold Chicago winters. I don't see that as harmful or addictive. Even that little bit that I go does wonders for my complexion.
I'm pale and proud of it. I know people that tan and do have to tan no matter what.
I love tanning but that girl looks hilarious!
wow those pics that u posted are horrible including lins. ugh...anyways im light skin and have beautiful skin color and i dont look pale and im deffinly not dark skin...so no need to tan, BUT in the summer time when im out in the sun and i do get a tan i just look str8 dirty, thats why sometimes i rather not tan cuz i have to go all summer looking dirty, lol yup my tan does me no good ugh lol
OMG! THAT PIC ABOVE LINDSAY LOHAN IS FUCKING FREAKY AS SHIT! WTF! PEOPLE ACTUALLY GET THAT ORANGE?!
I tan everyday, it is definitely an addiction for me.. not proud of it but I'm a vain person and constantly obsessing over my appearance. BDD seemed to hit the nail right on the head.
HOLY SHIT @ THE FIRST GIRL IN THE PIC!
I have to agree that I do think people look better with their natural skin color. I used to be really into the tan look, sometimes I'd use the gradual tanner, and even though I never actually TANNED unless I was on vacation, I'm glad that I did. I'm just thinking about how people that do tan are going to look in their 40s. I mean, many women are obsessed with keeping their skin looking young, yet many are also obsessed with obtaining that tan look. It took me a while to really appreciate my natural beauty, and to realize that I don't need to change the color of my skin to look and feel my best. And I know that in the long run, I'll definitely appreciate it. BUT that's just me :)