Teenager addicted to sunbeds unable to quit despite shape-changing moles and cancer risk
Teenager Megan Blain says she is unable to give up her sunbed habit, despite developing 'shape-changing' moles.
Megan first used a sunbed at the age of 16, after spending years feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, and felt an instant self-confidence boost after seeing herself with a glowing tan.
The youngster swiftly became addicted to sunbeds, at one point tanning for up to 30 minutes every day, which she combined with tanning injections and creams to make her skin appear as dark as possible.
Three years on, and the County Durham teenager now feels unable to give up on getting a tan, despite knowing the risks associated with prolonged UV exposure.
Advert
"Sunbeds are my only source of confidence now. It’s just part of my routine, it feels normal to me," Megan explained.
It wasn't long before Megan's dependence on tanning would take over her life, with the teenager turning down jobs and even skipping her own prom as she didn't feel 'dark enough'.
"It got to a point where I wouldn't leave the house unless I felt tanned enough," she said.
"It wasn't even about looking good anymore; it felt like something I needed just to function."
It wasn't long before Megan's obsessive use of tanning beds began to take a toll on her health, with the TikToker noticing concerning moles appear on her skin.
"Moles would appear, disappear, and change shapes, but I didn’t care at the time because I was so wrapped up in the addiction," she admitted.
"I wasn’t scared of the risks at all; the addiction had completely taken hold of me."
Now 19, Megan is trying to gain control over her need for a tan, having cut out tanning injections and now spending only £30 on sunbeds a month, less than half of what she used to.
"I am trying, but it's not easy," she added.
She has also faced backlash online for her tanning dependency, revealing that she often receives hateful comments on social media.
"At first, it really got to me, but now I try to ignore the hate," she said. "People probably think tan addiction isn’t real. But for me, it absolutely is."
Why are sunbeds dangerous?
Once a popular way to get sun-kissed skin in colder countries, sunbeds are now associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
In order to darken a person's complexion, sunbeds emit artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which triggers the skin to produce more melanin to prevent damage to skin cells.
However, this doesn't prevent the skin from getting damaged, leading to cancer.
It's estimated that around 90 percent of melanoma cancer cases are related to damage from UV radiation.
The most common symptom of skin cancer is a mole which changes in shape, size and elevation.
It's recommended that you get any moles which change in shape, size, colour and appearance checked out by a doctor.
Despite the risks, Megan has yet to speak to a doctor about her tanning addiction, saying: "The last time I tried, I froze at the door. It was like something wouldn’t let me go in, like I didn’t actually want the help or to change.
"Sunbeds are my only source of confidence now. It’s just part of my routine, it feels normal to me."
"I do think I’ll stop one day,” she added. “But it’s going to take time."
Brenna Cooper