Many of them are aware that exposure to UV light can cause skin cancer and premature aging, yet they continue to hit the tanning salon. In fact, thirty minutes spent in a tanning bed is equivalent to eight hours at the beach in terms of skin damage from ultraviolet rays. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the use of indoor tanning devices increases the risk of skin cancer – 2.5 times for squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times for basal cell carcinoma.

"Even though the message has spread that UV damages your skin, people continue to sunbathe and tan," said Richard F. Wagner, Jr., MD, professor of dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and coauthor of a new study, UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder. Wagner and his team of researchers have found that, for some people, persistent tanning may be addiction.

The investigators surveyed a group of 145 beachgoers and found that 53 percent (77 people) had a tanning addiction. "Our data showed that for some individuals who chronically sunbathe, it could represent a dependency disorder," said Dr. Wagner. According to the researchers, tanning dependency should be taken seriously as its long term affects could be fatal.

To find out if you have a potential problem, take the quiz below:

1. a) Do you think you need to spend more and more time in the sun to maintain your perfect tan?

Yes No

b) Do you think your tan will fade if you spend the same amount of time in the sun each time?

Yes No

2. Do you continue tanning so that your tan will not fade?

Yes No

3. When you go to the beach do you usually spend more time in the sun than you have planned?

Yes No

4. Do you try other non-sun related activities, but find you really like spending time in the sun best?

Yes No

5. a) How many days a week do you spend in a tanning salon?

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

b) How many days a week do you spend tanning in the sun?

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

c) Do you tan year-round?

Yes No

d) Have you ever missed work, a social engagement, or school because of a sunburn?

Yes No

7. a) Do you believe you can get skin cancer from the sun?

Yes No

b) From tanning beds?

Yes No

c) Does this keep you from spending time in the sun or going to tanning beds?

Yes No

Scoring

If you answer "yes" or positive (any number greater than zero) to three or more of the questions, you may have a tanning disorder. See below for scoring on numbers 1, 5 and 7.

Question 1 is affirmative if you answered "yes" to both parts.

Question 5 is affirmative if you answered "yes" or positive to three or more of the subparts.

Question 7 is affirmative if you answered "yes" to 7a and/or 7b and "no" to question 7c.

Breaking the Cycle

While tanning addiction is a potentially serious problem, the good news is that you can get help. Like any addiction problem, the first step is recognizing that you have a problem. Once the problem is acknowledged, you can seek support from family and friends or consult your physician.

Also, there are many ways to maintain your tan without damaging the health of your skin. Self- or spray-on tanners are UV-free ways to stay bronzed without setting foot in the sun or a tanning salon.

For more information, please contact The Skin Cancer Foundation at 1-800-SKIN-490.

Quiz reprinted with permission from study authors.