Using sunbeds to top up your tan can be addictive, a new study appears to confirm.

Previous studies have suggested that some people who use indoor tanning devices, such as sunbeds, can become addicted to the effects.

This latest study from the US shows that people who use indoor sunbeds display behaviours and changes in their brain which are similar to those found in people addicted to alcohol and drugs.

According to the team from the University of Texas Southwestern, this could help explain why some people opt for indoor tanning despite the known risks. People who use tanning devices are at an increased risk of developing the most serious type of skin cancer - malignant melanoma.

Over 6,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year. While melanoma accounts for only about 5% of these cases, this type of skin cancer has a very high mortality rate if it is not detected early. Figures from the Irish Cancer Society show that the incidence of this disease in Ireland has increased by over 90% since the late 1990s.

As part of this latest study, participants were asked to use sunbeds on two different occasions. On one occasion, they were exposed to the normal UV (ultraviolet) radiation produced by sunbeds. On the other occasion, the sunbeds used filters to block out the UV radiation.

None of the participants knew whether they were actually being exposed to UV radiation. All were questioned about tanning before and after they used the sunbeds and their brain activity and blood flow was monitored.

The researchers found that this brain activity and blood flow was similar to the activity seen in addicts.

"Using tanning beds has rewarding effects in the brain so people may feel compelled to persist in the behavior even though it's bad for them. The implication is, ‘if it's rewarding, then could it also be addictive?' It's an important question in the field," commented lead researcher, Dr Bryon Adinoff.

He said that further studies into the brains of people who use tanning devices are now needed.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Addiction Biology.