Scientists discovered a gene that suggests that certain people may be more likely to become addicted to tanning, according to a new study.
A team of researchers analyzed the saliva samples of almost 300 tanners. Of the participants 79 appeared to be addicted to tanning, while 213 tanned but were not addicted, reported Health Day.
There was only one gene that differed between the addicted tanners and the non-addicted tanners - a variant of the gene PTCHD2.
Very little research exists on this gene, but it mainly effects the brain, reported Health Day.
Genes are generally known to attribute to a person's addiction risk, which is what inspired the team to study tanners genes, reported Health Day. Up until this point the main aspect focused on in people's addictions to tanning was the dependence on UV rays - both from the sun and indoor tanning beds.
Although the number of people who actually become addicted to tanning appears low, the rate of skin cancer in the U.S. is much higher. More than two million Americans are diagnosed with a form of skin cancer annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
The study was published in the journal Experimental Dermatology.
