Patricia Krentcil became an internet sensation in 2012 after being charged with child endangerment. Many may recognize her better as “Tan Mom” due to her obsession with tanning salons, where she spent time in booths five days a week. Her excessive tanning, often referred to as tanorexia—a condition where individuals fail to recognize the extent of their skin’s coloration—nearly cost Patricia her life. Today, she leads a healthier lifestyle, though she still tans occasionally. Over the past decade, “Tan Mom” has experienced numerous ups and downs, and her transformation has captured public interest.

Obsessions, whether with food, shopping, television, or other activities, rarely yield positive outcomes. Some habits pose more serious health risks than others, but it’s crucial to recognize the long-term impact that an obsession can have. When an activity begins to take over daily life or replace important responsibilities, seeking support from friends or professional counseling can help prevent negative consequences.

For Patricia Krentcil, her fixation on tanning catapulted her into viral fame. Starting in her early twenties, tanning became a major part of her life. By 23, she visited City Tropics tanning salon in Nutley, New Jersey, up to five times a week, each session lasting up to 12 minutes. With a $100 monthly unlimited plan, tanning became a routine. “I’ve been tanning my whole life, going to the beach, tanning salons, and so forth,” Patricia said.

Her rise to fame, however, was not due to her tanning habits alone. In May 2012, Patricia faced criminal charges of child endangerment after allegedly placing her six-year-old daughter, Anna, in a tanning booth, resulting in minor burns. Patricia denied the accusations, insisting she would never expose her daughter to tanning. “No, not at all, not whatsoever,” she stated.

Despite her denial, Nutley police arrested Patricia, alleging she took Anna to the tanning salon, causing the child’s burns. According to ABC, New Jersey law prohibits children under 14 from using tanning facilities. Those aged 14 and older require parental consent. The controversy began when a school nurse asked Anna about her burns, and the child reportedly said, “I go tanning with mommy.” Patricia, however, claimed Anna got sunburned while playing outside. “There’s not room… I would never permit it… It didn’t happen,” Patricia asserted, emphasizing that Anna only accompanied her to the salon without entering the booth.

The media quickly dubbed her “Tan Mom,” and her image circulated worldwide, shedding light on tanorexia, a condition where individuals fail to recognize their excessive tanning. Dermatologist Doris Day described tanorexia as a problematic condition: “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.” She compared tanning to smoking, emphasizing that the younger one starts, the greater the cumulative damage.

Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, who had never encountered a case as extreme as Patricia’s, found her tanning routine alarming. “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,” he said. Zeichner believed Patricia exhibited signs of body dysmorphic disorder, where individuals are dissatisfied with their appearance and seek cosmetic procedures to alter their looks.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that those using indoor tanning equipment are four times more likely to develop melanoma, with sunbeds emitting 12 to 15 times more UV radiation than the sun. Despite being released on $25,000 bail, Patricia faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted. She maintained her innocence, stating, “She never went in. It was beautiful out, and they went into the kiddie pool. She’s a redhead. She got sunburnt.” Patricia defended her tanning habit as a personal choice that harmed no one else. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Is there something wrong about getting your nails done or somebody who smokes too much or somebody who overeats?” she questioned.

In February 2013, a grand jury declined to indict Patricia, clearing her of all charges. Nevertheless, public scrutiny persisted, with mothers nationwide criticizing her parenting. Patricia responded by accusing her detractors of jealousy. “There’s somebody out there for my whole life that doesn’t like me because they are jealous, fat, and they’re ugly,” she told the Daily Mail. “Look in the mirror and look at yourself instead of looking at me. I’m sorry I’m tan. I like to be tan. It just feels good.”

Media attention and paparazzi became overwhelming, with public figures like Kim Kardashian and Saturday Night Live mocking her. The constant scrutiny led Patricia to turn to alcohol. Concerned for their well-being, the family relocated to Tampa, Florida, for a fresh start. Patricia revealed that her teenage children—Ashley, 18, Alec, 17, and Austin, 15—faced bullying at school due to the controversy.

Determined to turn her viral fame into financial gain, Patricia planned to star in a movie depicting her life, hoping the project would help cover legal expenses. With her husband, Rich, unemployed and mounting bills, she sought to capitalize on her newfound celebrity status. Besides the film, Patricia aimed to launch a tanning lotion line called “Real Tan Mom Healthy Glow” and write a book. She also claimed to have received modeling offers from New York, London, and Paris. “It’s not even near being over,” she said. “Everyone wants me. I have a lot of other opportunities, so I’m just trying to figure out where to move my family.”

In June 2019, Patricia faced a life-threatening health crisis. Her friend, Adam Barta, told US Weekly that she was in critical condition due to pneumonia complications, relying on life support and a medically induced coma. Her family rushed to Florida to be by her side. “Currently, she is still on life support (via the intubator) and in a medically induced sleep until her heart and lungs are strong enough to handle functioning on their own,” Barta said. Patricia received strong antibiotics to combat the infection, which had spread to her lungs. She eventually pulled through, though doctors revealed she had suffered cardiac arrest, pneumonia, pancreatitis, and a severe lung infection.

Today, Patricia appears to be thriving. Her Instagram photos depict a smiling, happy woman, though the effects of her years of tanning remain visible. In April 2021, she told the NY Post that she no longer dwells on the tanning salon incident involving her daughter. Embracing her identity as “Tan Mom,” she still tans twice a week using her own tanning bed. “It doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s two separate people,” Patricia explained. “There’s Tan Mom, celebrity, and then there’s Patricia Marie, Mom.”

What’s your take on this story? Should tanning salons remain legal, or should they be banned? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to pass this article along to your friends and family on Facebook!