Solar AddictsSolar Addicts
Joy Duncan likes to suntan anywhere the sun is shining. "I just love the feel of the heat on me" says Duncan of Unionville Ontario. "It just feels so good and therapeutic. Good for the soul."
Good for the soul maybe. But not necessarily good for the skin. It's common knowledge that too much exposure to the sun's UV rays can cause skin cancer.
Yet researchers have found that some people just can't stop tanning·even after they have been diagnosed with cancer. They are literally addicted to the sun.
Apparently when exposed to the sun's UV rays our skin makes morphine-like substances called endorphins. These are natural pain-killers that the body releases to ease pain and to make us feel relaxed and happy. Runners often experience this rush of endorphins called "the runner's high."
Researchers say that people who tan frequently become addicted to this high. So much so that when they don't get their UV fix they go into withdrawal just like an alcoholic or drug addict.
In their first study into this phenomena dermatologists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center gave frequent tanners (those who tan eight to 15 times a month) 50 milligrams of a drug called naltrexone. Naltrexone blocks endorphins. All of the participants developed the telltale symptoms of withdrawal: nausea dizziness and shaking.
Next the researchers enrolled eight frequent tanners and eight infrequent tanners in their study. They started them all on just 5 milligrams of naltrexone gradually increasing the dosage. When they reached 15 milligrams four of the frequent tanners reported nausea and jittery feelings. Two dropped out of the study.
And the infrequent tanners? Not one person had withdrawal symptoms. People who aren't addicted to narcotics rarely get these kinds of side effects from low doses of naltrexone.
Researchers say these studies show that the frequent tanners' symptoms weren't side effects from the drug. They were actually experiencing withdrawal from the effects of tanning.
How can you tell if you're a tanning addict? Researchers suggest looking at how often you sunbathe or visit tanning salons. If you are sun tanning eight or more times a month between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. or if you're visiting a salon eight or more times a month then look out. You may have a problem.
Experts say a little sun is actually healthy because it provides us with vitamin D But only a little. The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends only brief sun exposure to either the back of the hands arms or face two to three times a week from May to September.
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As for Joy Duncan she wouldn't be classified as an addict as she usually only suntans about four times a month. And she wears sunscreen.
"I suntan for a little while when the sun's out. I'll sit out for a few minutes then I'll sit in the shade. I just like to be in the sun a little bit."
Written by Webmaster
Thursday, 30 July 2009 13:52
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