'I'm so addicted to sunbeds trolls call me a 'dirty 2p piece' - but I won't get mole tested'

A woman so addicted to sun beds people compare her to a dirty 2p coin says she's not worried about skin cancer - but urges others to not fall into a sunbed habit like she has

A teenager so hooked on having daily sunbeds in a bid to look 'glamorous' says she's so addicted she can't stop, despite people telling her she looks 'cremated'.

Student Megan Blain swapped bottles of fake tan for sunbeds two years ago so she can have a tan all-year round and her habit sees her laying on the UV beds for as long as half an hour every single day.

To make sure she gets her tan, the 18-year-old from Seaham, County Durham even injects herself with tanning jabs before her session to give her an even deeper glow but says she never feels dark enough, despite cruel trolls comparing her complexion to a 'burnt chip'. Megan admits she feels 'addicted' and is trying to wean herself off her daily tanning sessions, and says she's noticed a suspicious patch on her skin, but says the fear of cancer still isn't enough to put an end to her habit.

Megan recalls how strangers will stop and stare at her on the street due to her dark colour and has sparked a debate online over her extreme tanning sessions. Now trying to reduce her time on the beds, Megan is sharing her journey through TikTok as she urges others to not start using them.

She explains: "I didn't know much about sunbeds when I first started. So for the first year, I used to go on for half an hour at a time covered in baby oil. It made me feel really confident at first. I started using tanning injections as well before going on the beds. They made me feel sick and drowsy at first but now they don't really have an effect on me.

"I just liked how I looked with a tan. I'm a person that wears bright colours and liked how it made the colours pop. I started seeing results and how good it made me look and started going on more often," this feeling led Megan to begin a cycle of abusing sunbeds and tanning injections which left her unable to eat.

In a mission to reduce her tanning, Megan now goes four times a week as opposed to every day but says people still stare. She adds: "Everywhere I go, I see people staring at me. When people say I'm dark, I actually find that hard to believe. I don't feel dark whatsoever - it's like I'm physically blind.

"I want to stop one day but I can't ever imagine myself not going on the sunbeds. I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this. You could end up addicted without even realising like me."

Now she's noticed a new unusual blemish on her skin but says she "doesn't worry about melanoma" - which was enough to confirm to the teen how addicted to sunbeds she really is. "I've noticed a patch on my skin which keeps changing size. I've tried to go to the doctor like five times but keep freezing at the door.

"I'm one of those people that will worry over anything so for me not to be worried about potentially having melanoma I noticed a few months ago and still abuse the sunbeds has made me realise this is an addiction. I just never think I'm dark enough." She even revealed it doesn't phase her she could have melanoma, and isn't scared it could turn life-threatening.

Because of this, she wants to warn those younger than her to stay away from tanning salons so they don't become addicted like her. "After two years, my views on sunbeds have changed. If I could go back in time, I would've never started. I just feel like I have to go on the sunbeds - it's not even a case of wanting to be tanned anymore.

"The younger generation seem to be using [sunbeds] more than the older generation which is concerning because If I got addicted without even realising it then the same could happen to other people. I find it hard to turn the sunbed off once I'm on. I don't even like going on sunbeds, I dread it, but I feel like I physically have to go on," the teen adds.

Her appearance has stirred a debate online as people compare her to a burnt chip and a 2p coin. One person commented on her video in regard to her skin colour and said: "The chips that fell off the tray in the oven and I forgot about."

While another penned: "You know when you get those really dirty 2p coins," and a third asked: "Did [the sunbeds] cremate you?"

In response to the cruel remarks, Megan shares she's had a lot of hate online, as well as comments from those closest to her: "My family say I'm too dark. I see a lot of comments and online and I do care what people think. I've received hate through TikTok. I thought the video that went viral looked nice at the time and wondered why I received so much hate but now I realise why and that the video actually didn't look nice at all."

However, Megan has received some words of encouragement against the online backlash and support in her journey to ditch the sunbeds. One person said: "You're beautiful either way don't let anyone tell you any different," and another added: "You're gorgeous in every way possible. Don't let anyone tell you different. So proud of you."

If you are worried about a mole or a unusual patch of skin, it's always recommended to get it checked. The NHS website suggests visiting your GP if you notice:

• you have a mole that's changed size, shape or colour
• you have a mole that's painful or itchy
• you have a mole that's inflamed, bleeding or crusty
• you have a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks

Finding a melanoma as early as possible can mean it's easier to treat. You can also find more information at Melanoma UK charity.

Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com