5 Reasons Why You Might Be A Tanorexic!

Posted on | July 16, 2009 | No Comments

It’s the height of the summer season, and in many places temps are at their highest!  You all know that I like to be tan (fake-tan that is), especially during the summer months.  Sure,  having lovely, fair skin is beautiful too.  I hear women who “embrace the pale”.   Yet many of these women think their legs are too pasty to wear shorts!  It’s simply a vanity issue, right?  But has a sun-kissed glow created a physical disorder?  The media has jokingly coined the term “Tanorexia” for both UV induced tans and self-tanned skin.   Now part of a modern dialog the term clearly evokes “anorexia” — which is no laughing matter. Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have confirmed that tanning is similar to drug addiction.  UV radiation produces endorphins which create a euphoric feeling, and “frequent tanners given endorphin blockers recorded withdrawal symptoms — namely nausea, dizziness, and the shakes.”

UV Tanning addicts crave to be tan all year round.  Here are 5 reasons why you may be addicted to tanning:

1.  Rising skin cancer rates and indisputable signs of aging don’t discourage you from UV tanning.

2.  You favor baby oil and tanning bed lotions to sunscreens.

3.  You use self-tanners in addition to weekly UV tanning, as to be good to your skin.

4.  You live in constant fear of fading.

5.  If you’re not tan you feel fatter, older, and sicker.

So why is it that the media scrutinizes Self-Tanners?  They should be celebrated!  Modern advances have not only made fake-tanners more realistic, but are often loaded with many nutrient rich ingredients!  If being tan is what you desire, self-tanners and bronzers are the healthy alternative.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and if you have a story to share, please do!

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