Megan Blain, an 18-year-old who’s hooked on sunbeds, says she won’t stop tanning, even though online trolls are constantly insulting her. They’ve compared her skin to a “dirty 2p coin,” but she feels stuck in a tanning habit she can’t break.
Megan, from Seaham, County Durham, started using sunbeds at 16 to keep a tan all year. She ditched fake tan products for daily sunbed sessions and even began using tanning injections to get a darker glow. Although she didn’t know much about the risks, she spent up to 30 minutes on sunbeds, sometimes using baby oil to boost the effect.
Teenager Megan Blain, 18, has admitted to being addicted to sunbeds, despite facing harsh criticism online and noticing concerning changes to her skin
Megan said, “I liked how I looked with a tan. I wear bright colors, and the tan made them stand out more. Once I saw how good it looked, I started going to the sunbeds more often.”
But her intense tanning routine has raised health concerns. Megan now admits she’s addicted and has tried to cut back on sunbed use.
She also says the tanning injections make her feel sick, and she’s noticed a strange patch on her skin that changes size. Even though she’s scared it could be cancer, she hasn’t stopped tanning yet. Megan has tried to go to the doctor several times but gets too nervous to go inside.
“I’m the type of person who worries about everything, so it’s strange that I’m not more worried about this patch. I know it could be melanoma, but I still use sunbeds, which shows it’s an addiction. I never feel dark enough,” she explained.
She says she’s stuck in a cycle of overusing sunbeds and taking injections that make her feel sick and unable to eat. She used to go every day, but now she goes about four times a week.
Despite getting negative attention from strangers, with some saying she looks like a “burnt chip” or a “cremated” version of herself, Megan still can’t imagine life without tanning beds.
Megan said, “Everywhere I go, people stare at me. When they say I’m dark, I don’t believe them. I don’t feel dark at all, like I can’t see it myself.”
She admits she wants to stop using sunbeds one day, but she can’t imagine quitting. “I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone because you could get addicted without even realizing it, like I did,” she warned.
Megan has tried to cut down, now only using sunbeds four times a week, and she’s using her TikTok platform to warn younger people about the dangers of sunbed addiction. She’s especially worried because more young people seem to be using sunbeds than older ones, and she knows how easy it is to get hooked.
However, Megan has also faced online trolls who make fun of her tan. Some compare her to “burnt chips” or say her skin looks like a dirty “2p coin.” One person even asked if the sunbeds “cremated” her.
While Megan’s views on tanning have changed, she still struggles to break her habit of using UV lights.
Megan said, “After two years, I’ve changed my mind about sunbeds. If I could go back, I’d never start. Now, it’s not even about wanting to be tan anymore—I just feel like I have to use them.”
She explained that once she’s on the sunbed, it’s hard to turn it off. “I don’t even like using them anymore, I actually dread it, but I feel like I physically can’t stop.”
Another tanning addict, Fionnghuala Maguire, 35, from Belfast, shared her story, saying she feels “lucky to be alive” after using sunbeds almost every day for 15 years. She started at 14 and never used sunscreen during that time. Fionnghuala is now warning others not to make the same mistake, having been hooked on tanning and going to salons up to seven days a week at the height of her addiction.
My Girlfriend Left My Dog at the Shelter While I Was at Work, When I Went to Take Him Home, He Was Gone
Once upon a time, I met Frankie, a fluffy Great Pyrenees puppy with one eye and three paws, in a shelter. At that moment, I felt a deep connection with him. You see, life had been really tough for me after losing my parents in a car crash. I was so sad that I even tried to hurt myself twice. But when I saw Frankie, something inside me clicked. It was like we were meant to be together.
Frankie wasn’t just a pet to me; he became my best friend, my rock. His love filled the hole in my heart left by my parents. I was so grateful for him that I made sure he had everything he needed, even when I was at work. I set up cameras at home just to keep an eye on him.
He loved snacks, belly rubs, and cuddles, and I loved him more than anything in the world. I told my girlfriend, Leslie, all about Frankie and how much he meant to me. She seemed to understand until we talked about moving in together.
One day, while we were looking for a house, Leslie said something that shocked me. She said Frankie couldn’t come with us. I thought she was joking at first, but she wasn’t. We argued for hours, but I refused to leave Frankie behind. He had saved me, and I couldn’t abandon him.
Leslie left in anger, and we didn’t talk for days. It was hard without her, but I knew I had to stand by Frankie. He was more than just a dog; he was my lifeline.
I realized then that any future partner would have to accept Frankie as part of our family. He was a symbol of my strength and healing, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
Weeks passed, and Leslie finally reached out to me. She wanted to make things work, but she still didn’t want Frankie around. I missed her, but I couldn’t give up Frankie for anyone.
Eventually, Leslie left, and I was heartbroken. But I stayed true to myself and Frankie. Then, one day, I found Frankie was gone. Leslie had taken him to a shelter while I was out. I was furious and hurt.
But fate had other plans. I found Frankie with a woman named Emma and her daughter Olivia. Frankie had brought them together, just like he did for me. Emma understood how much Frankie meant to me, and we formed a bond over our shared love for him.
In the end, Emma and I fell in love, and we got married. Frankie was there with us, a symbol of the love and strength that brought us together. Through all the ups and downs, Frankie showed us the power of love and resilience.
Our story may have had a rocky start, but in the end, we found happiness and love in the most unexpected places. And it’s all thanks to Frankie, our furry guardian angel.
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