by
Robert Garment, Executive Editor | August 17, 2005
Scientists at the University of Texas have found that some people might be addicted to getting a suntan.
The research, published in the Archives of Dermatology, suggested up to 53% of beach-goers could be dependent on getting a tan.
Cancer experts said it provided "an interesting insight into why people continue to binge-sunbathe".
However, scientists said it was more likely to be an "extreme behavior", rather than an addiction.
The scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston used recognized criteria for assessing whether patients have drug or alcohol dependency.
They asked 145 beach-goers about their sun-seeking habits, using questions such as "do you try to cut down on the time you spend in the sun but still find yourself sun-tanning?"
