For many, having that golden tan is seen as the ultimate beauty goal.
But for 18-year-old Megan Blain from Seaham, County Durham, what started as a beauty routine quickly spiraled into something far more dangerous — an all-consuming addiction to sunbeds that she now openly regrets.
Megan has been using tanning beds nearly every day for the past three years, chasing that deep bronze glow.
But lately, she’s begun to notice changes on her body that have made her think twice — including moles and unusual patches on her skin.
A Teenager’s Struggle With Tanning Addiction
Megan first stepped into a tanning salon at just 16, swapping fake tan products for UV beds to maintain that sun-kissed look all year long.
It didn’t stop there — she even began injecting herself with tanning agents to boost the effect.
At first, she didn’t fully understand the risks.
She’d coat herself in baby oil and spend up to 30 minutes under the UV lights, unaware of how much damage it could cause.
Now, her body is showing signs that something isn’t right.
Noticing Alarming Skin Changes
Speaking in a video for Truly, Megan confessed she’s started seeing moles appear on her hands, back, and other parts of her body.
Some marks are new and unexplained, and she’s terrified they might be cancerous — but even that fear hasn’t been enough to make her quit.
She tried visiting a doctor, but anxiety kept her from stepping through the door.
“I freeze every time I get there,” she shared, admitting that even though the risks are real, she’s still hooked.
Online Abuse and Cruel Comparisons
Unfortunately, Megan’s extreme tan has made her the target of online trolls.
People have mocked her appearance with cruel comments — comparing her to a “dirty 2p coin” or even saying she looks “cremated.”
Despite the ridicule, she says she never feels dark enough.
“I look in the mirror and I don’t see what everyone else sees,” Megan said.
“I know people stare, but I still feel pale. It’s like I can’t see my own skin properly anymore.”
Tanning Injections, Sickness, and Denial
Megan admits that tanning injections make her feel physically sick.
They sometimes even take away her appetite.
Yet, she continues to use them — and still visits the sunbeds up to four times a week.
She says it used to be daily.
“I noticed a patch on my skin that keeps changing size,” she said.
“I’ve known it’s been there for months and still kept going back to the salon.
That’s when I realized it’s an addiction. I just never feel tanned enough.”
A Desperate Need to Quit, But No Exit in Sight
Despite wanting to break free from the routine, Megan says she can’t imagine her life without sunbeds.
“I dread going now, but I feel like I have to. It’s not even about liking how I look anymore — it’s something deeper than that.”
She’s trying to cut down and has gone from using the sunbeds daily to four times a week.
But the habit still holds a strong grip, and stopping completely feels impossible.
Using Her Story to Warn Others
Megan has started speaking out about her experience, especially on TikTok, where she now warns younger people about the risks of sunbed addiction.
She’s concerned that teens today are falling into the same trap she did — lured by the appeal of a bronzed glow without understanding the consequences.
“If I could go back in time, I’d never have touched a sunbed,” Megan said.
“I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. You don’t even realize you’re addicted until it’s too late.”
Trolls Continue, But Megan Keeps Speaking Out
Her TikTok videos have attracted even more trolls.
Some commenters compare her to “chips that fell in the oven,” while others joke about her being “cremated.”
But Megan says she’s not backing down.
If her story can stop someone else from making the same mistakes, it’s worth it.
Another Voice of Warning From Belfast
Megan’s story isn’t unique.
Fionnghuala Maguire, 35, from Belfast, started using sunbeds when she was just 14 — and kept going for over 15 years, even without wearing SPF protection.
At one point, she used them seven days a week.
Now, she says she feels “lucky to be alive” and warns others not to ignore the dangers.
Her wake-up call came too late, but she hopes it’s not too late for others.
What’s Next for Megan?
Megan is still on her journey.
She’s cut back, she’s speaking out, and she’s thinking more seriously about her health.
But the addiction is real, and the road to healing — both physically and mentally — is long.
Her hope? That no one else falls into the same trap of chasing the perfect tan at the expense of their health.
“It’s not worth it,” she says. “No look is worth your life.”