Dose of vanity prescribed for tanning addicts

“The fact that tanning may be addictive for some individuals should strengthen the argument for stricter regulations on the indoor tanning industry,” says Dr. Robin Hornung, chief of dermatology at Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle and author of the study. “Education alone is not enough to stop high-risk tanning behavior, and skin cancer rates will continue to increase markedly without proper intervention.”

Are “tan bans” the answer?

“No one is implying that people should never be outside or participate in sports or outdoor activities; they just need to do it in a sensible way,” says Dr. Arielle Kauvar, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

“But since it is addictive, tanning behavior needs to be approached in much the same way that alcohol, cigarette smoking or drug addiction is approached. Short of banning tanning lamps altogether, we could at least try to prevent minors from having access to indoor tanning and post medical warnings about the hazards of indoor tanning,” she says. “And if we can protect people from ever starting, we’re better off than trying to modify their behavior once it exists.”

How to be sun smart: • Limit your exposure. UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so be extra careful during those hours (or just avoid the sun during that period). • Cover up. If you can see through a fabric, UV rays can get through it too, so be safe by wearing dark, tightly woven fabrics. • Slather on the sunscreen. Go for SPF 15 or higher. Rub a palmful onto dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors (don’t forget your ears!). Reapply every two hours -- more often if you’re swimming or sweating. • Wear a hat. Go for one with a 2- to 3-inch brim all around in order to protect your face and neck (front and back). • Don’t forget the shades! Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block out all UV rays. They don’t need to be pricey, just effective. • Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds and sunlamps give off harmful UV rays that can contribute to long-term skin damage and skin cancer. They are not a safe tanning alternative. • Fake it. If you want a completely safe tan, try using a “sunless” tanning lotion. These can provide the look without the danger, and there are a variety of powders, gels, lotions and sprays to choose from. Remember, though, self-tanners won’t protect your skin from sun damage, so don’t forget to pair them with an SPF lotion. Courtesy of the American Cancer Society

Unfortunately, there are a few roadblocks. You may know them as Paris, Lindsay and Jessica.

“If celebrities would take up the cause, that would help tremendously,” says UCSD’s Mahler. “If we could show college students images of beautiful models who are not tan, or celebrities would come forth and acknowledge that they’re getting spray-on tans rather than subjecting themselves to harmful UV rays, it would have a huge impact.”

As would, perhaps, a few former tanners owning up to the long-term effects of their habit.

“I’ve got a lot of crinkly wrinkles under my eyes and I know it’s from what I did when I was a teenager,” says Kylee Baumle, who now covers up before she heads out to work in the gardens surrounding her rural Ohio home. “Old habits are hard to break, but you just have to change your ways.”

Diane Mapes is a Seattle freelance writer and author of "How to Date in a Post-Dating World."

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