A new study has revealed that tanning can turn into an addiction. The study evinces that taking regular trips to a tanning salon stand testament to addictive behavior. The research does not establish that tanning is an addiction. However, it does state that for some people it may turn out to be an addiction.

Catherine Mosher, Clinical Psychologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and one of the authors, of the study reveals, "I think there's growing evidence that it can be addicting for a minority of individuals. Addiction is a very complex phenomenon, and it will take evidence from multiple sources to validate the idea that it is an addiction".

The study included 421 students, who were asked about their tanning habits. It was noted that some 229 of the students made use of indoor tanning beds. The study revealed that 30 to 40% met the psychiatric diagnostic criteria for addiction. It was also noted that these people also showed greater use of marijuana, alcohol and other substances, and a greater number of symptoms of anxiety.

Dr. James Spencer, spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatology, opines that this news is an eye opener.

These statistics substantiate the fact that tanning is not only holds the potential of causing skin cancer, but it also may seriously impact mental health.

It can be concluded that such people suffer from serious body image issues. Since they are not comfortable with their natural body coloring, they need to seek salons to bring out the tanning effect on their skin, and it escalates into an obsession for them.

Little do they know that this act not only puts them under the threat of acquiring a fatal disease like skin cancer, but, for those who are prone to addiction it can turn in to an obsession. For a momentary cosmetic effect, they are exposing themselves to greater lifelong harm.

This study should ring warning bells for parents and friends of potential addicts alike. Since the addiction to tanning is also accompanied by drug abuse and alcohol use, it may be a warning sign for parents.