I'm a sunbed addict and I've got scary moles all over — but I can't stop tanning
Megan Blain, 19, traded out fake-tan bottles for sunbeds so she could achieve a darker tan year-round, lying on the beds every day for two years and often staying under the UV lights for as long as half an hour.
6 Megan Blain admitted she regrets her addiction to tanning beds.
Kennedy News and Media
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She even injects herself with tanning shots five times a week before going to the tanning beds to get an even darker hue.
'I just liked how I looked with a tan. I'm a person that wears bright colors and liked how it made the colors pop,' she told Kennedy News and Media.
Two years later, the student from Seaham, England, admitted that she feels 'addicted' to tanning and she never feels like she's dark enough.
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On top of that, she had a bit of a cancer scare after she noticed a questionable patch on her skin recently — but that still hasn't made her stop.
'I've noticed a patch on my skin which keeps changing size. I've tried to go to the doctors, like, five times, but keep freezing at the door,' Blain said.
She added in a video posted by Truly, 'I started noticing moles on my back, my hands – I've got moles all over, but you do get moles off the sunbed. I didn't know if the moles were cancerous.'
'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 realize this is an addiction.
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'I just never think I'm dark enough.'
Despite her saying that she worries over everything, the addiction to tanning overpowered her fear of cancer.
'It doesn't even faze me that I could have melanoma and could turn into something life-threatening, it doesn't scare me at all.'
6 Megan Blain noticed a questionable patch on her skin recently — but that still hasn't made her stop tanning.
Kennedy News and Media
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Blain admitted that before she started tanning, she didn't know much about it, and now she's gotten addicted — regardless of how physically sick it makes her.
'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,' she said.
'I started seeing results and how good it made me look and started going on more often. Next thing I know I'm stuck in a cycle of abusing sunbeds and taking tanning injections which make me feel sick and sometimes unable to eat.'
6 Blain admitted that before she started tanning, she didn't know much about it, and now she's gotten addicted.
Kennedy News and Media
Now, Blain is finally starting to wean herself off of the tanning beds, going four times a week rather than every day — and she's sharing her journey on TikTok to warn others not to make the same mistakes she did.
'After two years, my views on sunbeds have changed. If I could go back in time, I would've never started,' she shared. '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 realizing it then the same could happen to other people.'
6 Megan Blain was using tanning beds daily.
Kennedy News and Media
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Blain shared that she wants to stop using tanning beds 'one day' — but she can't imagine herself not going.
'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,' she said.
'I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this. You could end up addicted without even realizing like me.'
In the Truly video, Blain shared that she sometimes cries after using the tanning bed because of all the damage it's doing, but she believes she is 'too far gone.'
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6 'If I could go back in time, I would've never started,' she shared.
Kennedy News and Media
The tanning addict has gotten looks from strangers on the street, as well as internet trolls who have labeled her a 'burnt chip.'
'Everywhere I go, I see people staring at me,' she said. '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.'
One internet user compared Blain's skin color to 'the chips that fell off the tray in the oven and I forgot about.'
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'Did [the sunbeds] cremate you?' another said.
6 Blain is finally starting to wean herself off of the tanning beds, going four times a week rather than every day.
Kennedy News and Media
Blain admitted that her family also said she's too dark, and she does care about what people online 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 realize why and that the video actually didn't look nice at all.'
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However, amid all the hate, Blain received some nice comments as well, encouraging her on her journey to let go of the addiction.
'You're beautiful either way don't let anyone tell you any different,' one said.
'You're gorgeous in every way possible. Don't let anyone tell you different. So proud of you,' another added.
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Buzz Feed
11 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
43 Magical Personal Care Products Magical
A Derma E scar gel reviewers love for its ability to sink into skin quickly *and* even how well it sits under makeup. And it can make a difference on both new and old scars. How does this work, you ask? The key ingredients are panthenol (which can help promote new skin cell production) and allantoin (which helps attract moisture to skin and can make wound-healing faster). A lightweight Cosrx SPF 50+ sunscreen (the same brand as the TikTok-viral snail mucin!) for anyone who isn't always the best at applying sunscreen (every! day!). This sebum-balancing formula has a moisturizer-like texture, contains skincare ingredients like cacao and vitamin E, feels breathable on the skin, leaves a semi-matte finish, and (reviewers agree!) it doesn't have a white cast, so applying it will feel like less of a chore. Vanicream, a sensitive skin-friendly moisturizer free of common irritants (and fragrance free!) reviewers love to use on their face *and* body. The included pump dispenser is great for easy application, and avoiding contamination the jar. Plus it has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association! A butt acne-clearing lotion formulated with tea tree oil to fight pimple-causing bacteria, helping clear existing acne and helping to prevent it from coming back in the long run. Reviewers use it on their thighs and back too, and say this lotion helps their skin feel suuuper soft! Briotech spray with the same magical ingredient as the very beloved Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid (something our body produces naturally as part of our immune system!). Just spritz it on whenever your skin needs a little de-stressing (like on a hot, sweaty day, while traveling, or after the gym), and it'll help soothe inflammation, tone down redness, and strengthen your skin's barrier. A bottle of Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo formulated with 1% ketoconazole that doesn't just banish annoying flakes, but actually works to kill the fungus that causes dandruff. You can use it just twice a week, too. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that can dissolve that pesky, hard dead skin in just a few minutes — for real, don't leave it on for more than that. Then just rinse, sand with a pumice stone or rasp, and enjoy those silky-smooth feet! If you love Baby Foot but hate waiting, this is a great option. Medix retinol body lotion — if you've looked at your expensive facial retinol and thought "this is too expensive to slather on my I want to" this is for you! Just like any retinol product, this is designed to help promote skin cell turnover, which can help visibly smooth crepe-iness, fine lines, rough and bumpy skin (like KP), and stretch marks, if that's something you're looking to do. A piercing treatment to help tackle the bumps that are getting in the way of you showing off your excellent taste in jewelry! It takes time, but reviewers see a big difference when it comes to fading bumps and scars and helping fresh piercings heal properly. Mielle's (TikTok-famous) Rosemary Mint strengthening oil reviewers swear by to nourish their scalps, strengthening and promoting hair growth at the root. It's formulated with biotin, moisturizing oils like jojoba, plus rosemary and mint oils, which can help stimulate the scalp. AquaGuard, a pre-swim hair cream designed to protect your tresses from damaging chlorine (aka less dryness, fewer tangles, no turning green, and no icky chlorine smell!) — just dampen your hair, apply the cream, and dive in! Now you can play "mermaids" all you want without sacrificing your hair health. An exfoliating mitten so you can scrub off dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother skin during your Everything Showers. Just lather up and (gently!) massage your skin — reviewers say this is great for preventing ingrown hairs, helping reduce KP, and using before applying fake tan! Or an exfoliating First Aid Beauty Bump eraser body scrub reviewers with KP (aka keratosis pilaris) swear by to get rid of those tiny red bumps, without slathering on any additional creams or products — just use in the shower instead of your regular soap. Gold Bond Friction Defense, an easy-to-apply stick (just like deodorant!) to reduce friction and moisturize skin wherever you deal with painful chafing when your skin rubs together, especially when the mercury rises. It's unscented and invisible too! L'Occitane's fast-absorbing shea butter hand cream, because if you have dry, cracked hands or just hate the feeling of papery hands post-washing when you're on the go, you need this lil' guy in your bag. And there's no overly greasy feeling after, either! A saline nasal mist that can help moisturize dry nasal passages and irrigate to wash away mucus and allergens, which can in turn help relieve symptoms from colds and allergies. When is pollen season going to end again?? A roll-on sunscreen sponge to help you do what you need to do this summer: reapply your sunscreen every two hours. But with this handy lil guy, you can just sponge it right on, and it'll keep your hands mess-free! Idk about you, but I hate that greasy, sunscreen-y feeling on my hands when I'm at the beach. And if you don't get those, or reapply as often as they suggest, a Burt's Bees sunburn soother so you have it on hand before you get sunburned. Even when we do our best, sometimes it happens! SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes, which are designed to reduce excess sweating for *up to seven days*(!!). Just swipe on before bed, and kiss those pit stains that ruin your favorite shirts goodbye. They're designed to be used for under the arms, but reviewers use them elsewhere too! A manual "flossing" toothbrush with extra soft bristles in two layers that are super thin at the tip (as thin as human hair) and designed to reach places other toothbrushes might not. Especially when paired with actual flossing, reviewers say they're left with a "fresh from the dentist" clean! O'Keeffe's Lip Repair, a lip sleeping mask from the brand behind the cult-favorite Working Hand and Healthy Feet creams — and just like those borderline miraculous products, reviewers say this balm will heal and repair dry, cracking, chapped lips like no other product has. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream — it's not only your face that deserves a skincare routine! This is formulated with salicylic acid for chemically exfoliating that delicate skin (without harsh scrubbing) plus glycerine and aloe for plenty of hydration. Reviewers are surprised at the results they get but note that it does take time. So don't forget to take a before photo, and get to slathering! Compound W One Step Pads designed to break down common and plantar warts with minimal effort, so you can enjoy the same gloriously dramatic results as the reviewers below. Just apply and replace the medicated, salicylic acid-infused bandages every 48 hours for best results. Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask you can wear overnight for a serious boost of hydration, firming, and brightening — even reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Reviewers say they noticed a difference in just one use *and* that people stopped to compliment their skin! Btw, once you wake up and see where the mask has become transparent, you'll know the serum is absorbed — how cool is that? CeraVe Retinol Serum that lives up to the CeraVe name and uses *encapsulated* retinol to reduce the appearance of scars and pores without flaking or redness. If you haven't gotten into retinoids yet or are worried about irritating your skin, this gentle but effective serum is a great option — and reviewers say they like it better than other more expensive options (like Murad's Retinol Serum, which retails for $92). Or prescription-strength (but not prescription-priced) Differin Retinoid gel, because it's a true classic for a reason. It is designed to promote and "normalize" skin cell turnover, which can help clear existing breakouts, combat inflammation, and prevent the actual production of acne in the future. And since retinol increases collagen, it can help with fine lines and wrinkles as well! Cosrx's snail mucin repairing essence that may seem like it would give you the ick, but is totally worth adding to your routine. No snail-like results here: Just pat it in the evening, and you'll be appreciating the moisture boost right away. Reviewers say it helps with acne, inflammation, peeling, fine lines, and even eczema! Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, a cult-favorite body cream you're going to want to slather all over your body, thanks to the deep hydration (cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil!) and temporary skin-tightening (caffeine!) it provides, plus a fragrance with notes of salted caramel and vanilla that reviewers L O V E. My all-time desert island holy grail, CeraVe's Skin Renewing night cream, which delivers on hydration and softness and protects your skin's natural barrier — I won't use an expensive night cream again. There's a reason people can't stop talking about CeraVe on TikTok! Mighty Patch Pimple Patches, which absorb pus and oil from *inside* the zit, protecting skin from further damage and reinfection so you're not tempted to hot compress, pop, ooze, scar, and repeat. They also come in an ~invisible~ version that (as someone who has used them) is indeed surprisingly hard to see. 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A satin pillowcase to help maintain hair and skin health even as you sleep, reducing pesky frizz and breakage when compared with regular cotton or other fiber pillowcases — that means longer-lasting blowouts and less damage in the long run. Why spend the money on pricey brands like Slip and Blissy? A nongreasy eye cream designed to help deflate your under eye bags, hydrate your delicate skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten your under eyes, thanks to a blend of aloe, rosehip seed oil, and vitamins C & E. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment for an intense at-home mask that'll help your strands look and feel less damaged in just five minutes. It's basically a time machine for your hair, is what I'm saying. Some reviewers say it's even BETTER than Olaplex, which is over three times the price! TruSkin vitamin C serum formulated with hyaluronic acid (to provide a boost of hydration), soothing aloe vera, and vitamin E (in addition to the namesake vitamin C) — a combo designed to brighten and smooth your skin for your glowiest glow yet. And money-saving alert: reviewers say it's comparable to the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum (which costs $182 for the full-size btw!). Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, a K-beauty cult-fave you can use as step one of your double cleanse. Just apply to dry skin and gently massage, then emulsify with water to dissolve makeup and sunscreen and remove sebum and the day's grime, leaving your skin refreshed but not stripped. Reviewers *swear* by it for helping reduce blackheads and sebaceous filaments, too! Or! For a balm option, Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 cleansing balm formulated with Japanese pearl barley to help brighten skin as it cleanses. Just scoop out a pea-sized amount (it comes with a lil' spatula!) and massage into your skin — it'll become a luxurious oil and gently dissolve allllll the makeup, SPF, dirt, oil, and more, leaving no residue behind *and* not overly stripping skin of moisture. A bottle of CND SolarOil, a nail and cuticle oil to help your nails grow and grow (no peeling!), and keep your cuticles nourished and soft, no matter how much hand sanitizer you're using. Just massage in the jojoba oil and vitamin E infused formula daily. Radha rosehip oil to not only soften skin and lock in moisture (just like other oils), but also help reduce redness and breakouts, thanks to the rich blend of vitamins A, C, and E, fatty acids and anti-inflammatory antioxidants. SoCozy curl conditioning spray, which was designed with kiddos' curls in mind, but works for reviewers of all ages! This leave-in conditioner moisturizes and helps improve curl definition and elasticity with just a few quick spritzes, which is great for impatient kids *and* grownups with limited time. A bottle of Tend Skin Solution to stop ingrown hairs and skin irritation in their tracks, making it the perfect post-shaving product with a cult following for a reason.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
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Dermatologist reveals her counterintuitive tip to prevent ingrown hairs after shaving
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New York Post
19 hours ago
- New York Post
Missed Prime Day? You can still shop the viral medicube cream for 55% off
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. If you blinked and missed the whirlwind that was Amazon Prime Day, you're not alone. But here's the good news: some of the best deals didn't vanish at midnight. Case in point? The medicube Collagen Jelly Cream — yes, the viral, skin-plumping K-beauty favorite —was a jaw-dropping 55% off for Prime Day, and the discount has been quietly extended. No gatekeeping here: it's still available now. For anyone who's skin-obsessed or even just 'skin-curious,' this jelly-textured miracle worker is the product to know. Formulated with collagen, niacinamide and medicube's signature freeze-dried hydrolyzed collagen spheres, it's a product I keep revisiting on my beauty shelf (and believe me, that's fully stocked). Advertisement Amazon The Collagen Jelly Cream helps restore bounce, hydration and elasticity to skin that's feeling tired, dry, or just plain blah. The freeze-dried tech? Legitimately cool. It allows the active ingredients to stay ultra-potent until the moment they touch your skin. It's that K-beauty product that simply *works.* After reviewing quite possibly every medicube product, the feel of this formula is one that keeps me coming back. Hey, there's a reason why even Prime Day wanted you to come back to it after it was over. If you've spent any time scrolling through skincare TikTok or K-beauty YouTube lately, you've likely seen creators raving about medicube's unique delivery system. The jelly melts into skin like a dream, and I swear, its ability to visibly plump fine lines and firm sagging areas with regular use is impressive. I've never been self-conscious over fine lines, but I can see why reviewers dub it 'Botox in a jar.' And, this is where timing matters. At full price, medicube's Collagen Jelly Cream is somewhat of an investment. But at 55% off? This is the rare instance when high-end skincare actually becomes accessible. And with the sale still live post-Prime Day (because the universe sometimes throws us a bone), this is your window to stock up or finally see what all the fuss is about. Part of what sets this cream apart is its texture. If you're over heavy moisturizers that feel like a layer of wax, this one's for you. The lightweight, bouncy jelly sinks in instantly, leaving behind a velvety finish with zero greasiness. It's a godsend for summer, when skin still craves hydration but everything heavy feels like a trap. More than just a feel-good formula, this cream delivers real ingredients with real impact. Alongside the collagen spheres, it packs niacinamide for brightening and peptides for skin barrier support. That means you're getting a triple-threat treatment all in one: hydration, firming and tone-evening. Let's talk packaging, too. This medicube product doesn't mess around. The sleek pink jar feels luxe but minimal, and it comes with a hygienic spatula to keep things clean (always a plus when it comes to skincare longevity). There's a quiet sense of ritual in scooping out the jelly and watching it melt into skin. If you're someone who wants skincare to feel like self-care, this absolutely checks the box. Even if you're not normally someone who dives into Amazon deals, this one deserves a pause. Bottom line: If glowing, lifted, hydrated skin is even remotely on your mood board, medicube's Collagen Jelly Cream is worth the add-to-cart moment. The 55% discount won't last forever (seriously — it's not a 'forever sale'), so whether you're a longtime fan or a curious first-timer, this extended post-Prime Day deal is one you'll want to grab before it disappears completely. Your future face will thank you. This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
