Patricia Krentcil became infamous for all the wrong reasons, largely due to her extreme obsession with tanning. Her dedication to achieving the perfect tan, which included visiting tanning salons five days a week, took a serious toll on her health. While Patricia had been tanning since she was young, her story gained widespread attention in 2012 when she became an internet sensation after standing trial for allegedly taking her 6-year-old daughter to a tanning salon, resulting in the child suffering burns.
“I’ve been tanning my whole life, going to the beach, tanning salons, and so forth,” Patricia once said, reflecting on her long history with tanning.
While her own tanning habits may have gone largely unnoticed, the situation changed drastically when her daughter’s burns were revealed. As a result, Patricia was charged with child endangerment, making headlines and drawing widespread criticism. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers of excessive tanning and its potential impact on those around us.
Patricia Krentcil vehemently denied the accusations, insisting that she never took her daughter, Anna, to the tanning salon. “No, not at all, not whatsoever,” she responded when questioned about the charges.
According to ABC, New Jersey law prohibits children under the age of 14 from using tanning services, and those over 14 can only tan with parental consent.
So, why did people believe Patricia had taken Anna to the salon? The key came from a conversation with a school nurse, who noticed light burns on Anna’s body. When asked about them, Anna reportedly said, “I go tanning with mommy.” This statement led to the belief that Patricia had indeed brought her daughter to the salon, despite her denial. The incident sparked widespread outrage, adding fuel to the controversy surrounding her tanning habits and the charges of child endangerment.
Patricia Krentcil, however, insisted that her daughter, Anna, had gotten sunburned from playing outside, not from tanning in a salon. “There’s not room… I would never permit it… It didn’t happen,” Patricia asserted. “She never went in. It was beautiful out, and they went into the kiddie pool. She’s a redhead. She got sunburnt.”
Patricia further clarified, saying, “She’s 6 years old. Yes, she does go tanning with mommy, but not in the booth. The whole thing’s preposterous!” Despite her defense, the incident led to her gaining the infamous nickname “Tan Mom,” and her face was plastered across the media and magazines.
Her case became a sensation, drawing widespread attention to the dangers of excessive tanning, while also turning Patricia into an enduring figure of public fascination for all the wrong reasons.
New York dermatologist Doris Day weighed in on Patricia Krentcil’s tanning habits, suggesting that Patricia may have a condition called tanorexia. “When you look at this, this is somebody who has a problem which most likely has a condition called tanorexia, where they just don’t realize just how much color they have,” Dr. Day explained to ABC News.
She also emphasized the dangers of taking children to tanning salons, saying, “There’s really no excuse to take a young child to a tanning salon.”
Dr. Day went on to compare tanning to smoking, noting that both have harmful, long-term effects on the skin. “We often consider going to a tanning salon the equivalent of smoking for the skin, and the younger you start, those effects are cumulative.” Her statement highlighted the growing concerns over the health risks of tanning, especially for young children, and the potential dangers of excessive sun exposure.
After seeing Patricia Krentcil’s appearance following years of excessive tanning, several prominent dermatologists spoke out about the serious health risks associated with tanning.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist, remarked to the NY Daily News, “In all my years of treating patients as a dermatologist, I have never encountered anything like this.” He expressed disbelief over Patricia’s extreme tanning habits, saying, “Going to a tanning salon 20 times a month, frankly, is insane, especially with all of the public education and awareness campaigns on the dangers of tanning beds and skin cancers.”
These expert statements underscored the severe consequences of excessive tanning, with dermatologists urging the public to take the risks seriously, especially given the widespread knowledge about the dangers of skin cancer and premature aging due to UV exposure.
Dr. Doris Day also suggested that Patricia’s behavior could be linked to an obsession with tanning, which has been recognized as a condition called tanorexia. “It may be she has an [obsession with] tanning, which actually now has a name – tanorexia. She may need help to treat not only the damage to her skin but also what is going on with her psychologically,” she explained.
In 2013, Patricia Krentcil was cleared of all charges related to the tanning incident, but public opinion was still harsh. Many condemned her for her questionable parenting decisions, especially regarding her daughter’s involvement in tanning.
The intense pressure from the media and public scrutiny took a toll on Patricia. Struggling with the fallout, she began drinking to cope. Eventually, her family decided to leave New Jersey and relocate to Florida in hopes of finding a fresh start away from the media frenzy and public judgment.
Eventually, she decided she could use her fame in order to make some money. Being a mom of five and her husband being out of work, she said she planned on starring in a movie about her life and writing a book. She also claimed that there were plenty of modeling job offers on the table.
“It’s not even near being over,” she said about her moment in the spotlight. “Everyone wants me. I have a lot of other opportunities, so I’m just trying to figure out where to move my family.”
In 2019, Patricia Krentcil faced a life-threatening situation when she suffered cardiac arrest. She was diagnosed with severe pneumonia, pancreatitis, and a spreading infection that affected her lungs.
Patricia’s friend, Adam Barta, shared an update with US Weekly during her critical condition, saying, “They are feeding her very strong antibiotics to kill the infection as well so her system is taking quite a hit. I personally believe last night was the most critical turning point, and she made it so she will only continue to get better. The current plan is to try to extubate and revive her tomorrow or Tuesday, provided she maintains this trajectory.”
Fortunately, Patricia pulled through, and today, she is doing much better, leaving behind the traumatic health scare and focusing on her recovery.
Patricia Krentcil’s continued obsession with tanning, despite the visible scars and health risks, raises serious concerns. It’s clear that her behavior is deeply ingrained, possibly driven by a psychological condition like tanorexia, which makes it difficult for her to recognize the damage she’s causing to her skin. Although she no longer lets the “Tan Mom” nickname bother her, it’s worrying that she still engages in tanning rituals despite the dangers to her health.
While Patricia has made it clear that she has separated her public persona from her personal life, it’s important to acknowledge the potential long-term effects of her actions, not just physically, but psychologically as well. It’s a reminder that self-care and moderation are essential when it comes to beauty and health, and seeking help if needed can make all the difference.
What are your thoughts on Patricia’s ongoing tanning habits? Should she seek help for her obsession, or is this just her way of embracing her identity? Let us know what you think in the comments.
