Topic: Tanning: Can You Be Addicted?

[sam]

Scientists have finally verified something that Jersey Shore stars Snooki and Pauly D have probably known all along—that getting your bronze on at the tanning salon may be addictive. And the more often you tan, the more likely you are to get hooked, according to a study in the Archives of Dermatology. [Catherine Mosher and Sharon Danoff-Burg, http://bit.ly/bulE8u]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=tanning-can-you-be-addicted-10-04-19

[Clive]

I used to be keen on having a nice tan but I've paid the price for it by contracting solar keratosis.   

[Simon]

What on earth is that?

[Rik]

What is a solar keratosis?

A solar keratosis is a small, thickened, scaly growth (or lump) which develops on the skin. It is caused by a lot of exposure to the sun over many years. One or more may develop. It is sometimes called an actinic keratosis.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Solar-Keratosis.htm

[Simon]

Not nice. 

[Rik]

No.

[sam]

ouch.... but did you got to a tanning place, or just holidays? i.e. are you being a proper Welsh chav?

[Clive]

A bit of all Sam.  Thankfully it's easily controllable and all I have to do is apply a cream to the affected parts when it breaks out.  Years ago they didn't treat it and it was known as "skin damage" but around 1/100 become cancerous so now they take it much more seriously.  It's very prevalent at the moment because of peoples lifestyle and the hole in the ozone layer that we had a few years ago.  Like many blokes, I hated using suntan cream and I now have to suffer the consequences.

[Simon]

My problem these days is getting a sunburnt head!  I do still have some hair, so I can't put sun cream on it. Guess I'll have to start wearing a hat!  

[Rik]

It's one of the reasons I don't open the sun roof.

[Clive]

My problem these days is getting a subburnt head!  I do still have some hair, so I can't put sun cream on it. Guess I'll have to start wearing a hat! 

Yes, many people get it on their head Simon and I would strongly advise wearing a hat.  I get it on my forehead where at least I can see it and treat it.  Treatment is very effective but the cream is unpleasant to use because it's very aggressive and burns the skin.  Exposure to the Sun during treatment can cause severe burning so winter time is probably the best time to apply the cream.  Treatment is supposed to last 40 days but I always give up at 30 due to soreness.  I can go several years without having to use it.

[Simon]

Doesn't sound much fun, Clive. 

[Clive]

There are much worse things around Simon.   

[Simon]

True. 

[Sandra]

My problem these days is getting a sunburnt head! 

My problem is the lack of sun at the times I am up and about