A 19-year-old from Seaham, County Durham, says she is trapped in a sunbed addiction that began at age 16, and despite noticing alarming skin changes, she still cannot stop. Megan Blain started using sunbeds to boost her confidence after years of bullying, but the habit soon became a compulsion that now controls her daily life.
At her peak, Megan tanned every day for up to 30 minutes, often combined with tanning injections and creams. She spent over £100 a month on the habit, which caused her to miss her own prom and turn down job opportunities because she felt not tanned enough. Now she works part-time in a sunbed shop and spends around £30 a month, but admits the addiction still dictates her decisions.
Over nearly four years, Megan has developed multiple moles that change shape, appear, and disappear. She fears skin cancer but has not sought medical help, saying she froze at the doctor's door. She has cut down on sunbeds and stopped injections, but says stopping completely feels overwhelming.
Megan describes tanning as her only source of confidence and says the addiction is real, despite hurtful comments online. She hopes to quit one day but acknowledges it will take time.
