A TEENAGER who is addicted to sunbeds has been accused of blackfishing online.
Glamorous Taylor Humphrey says that being tanned is the most important part of her look and she spends 20 minutes on her sunbed every day.
The 18-year-old, from Suffolk, says that after her first experience of a sunbed after turning 18, she knew she couldn't be without one and asked her parents to buy one for her.
Taylor now goes on her own personal sunbed daily and admits that she would feel depressed if she wasn't able to top up her tan.
However, Taylor has received some backlash from online trolls who have accused her of blackfishing because of her dark tan.
Taylor said: "I first went on a sunbed as soon as I was legally allowed to when I was 18.
"I fell in love with it straight away because I have olive skin and could see great results, so I asked my parents if they would buy one for me and they agreed.
"I was so happy. When I first got it I started off doing eight minutes at a time and built it up over a few months.
"I am now on my sunbed every day for 20 minutes. I would probably do more, but I will stick with 20 because that is the maximum recommended amount.
"If I don't have a tan or go on my sunbed for one day I just don't feel myself at all.”
Taylor admitted that going on her sunbed is what she looks forward to doing most every day, and added: "If I didn't have a tan then I just wouldn't leave my house.”
Taylor was slammed by online trolls because of her dark tan and was accused of blackfishing.
She says that people were messaging her saying that she was trying to be of a different race.
SHOULD YOU USE SUNBEDS?
Some people are more at risk of melanoma skin cancer than others.
The NHS reports that you should not use sun beds, sunlamps or tanning booths if you:
- have fair or sensitive skin
- have a history of sunburn (especially in childhood)
- have red hair and freckles
- have lots of moles
- are taking any creams or medication that could increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight
- have a medical condition that can be made worse by sunlight
- have had skin cancer previously
- already have sun burn
Taylor added: "I have received some stick for my tan but it's not like I am using fake tan. I can't help it if my skin goes this tanned.
"Someone had even posted a TikTok about me and my tan saying that I was doing blackfishing.
“But I just took it as a compliment that they took the time to do that about me.
"Some people even wanted me to delete my social media.
"I just try to ignore people when they say stuff like this about me and don't retaliate.
"I just like having a tan. It is one of the most important things to me and makes me feel the most confidence.”
WHAT IS BLACKFISHING?
Blackfishing is when Caucasian people use artificial tanning, filters and make-up to manipulate facial or bodily features in order to appear to have some sort of Black African, Arab or Hispanic ancestry or to appear mixed race.
The term came from culture critics and social media and goes back to around 2018.
Critics have accused influencers and celebs of "pretending to be black".
Taylor said she prefers tanning on her sunbed to using fake tan because fake tan can go wrong and sometimes doesn't look perfect or even and she finds applying it “draining”.
She added: "I am feeling my best when I have a dark tan, especially when I am out as it just puts me in a better mood.
"And I love wearing bright colours because they look amazing with a tan."
During lockdown, Taylor's sunbed was out of action for a couple of months after it broke and all the sunbed shops were closed.
She says she felt really depressed during this time and didn't want to see anyone.
Taylor added: "It was a horrible time, and I just felt really bad about myself. I didn't want anyone to see me without a tan and I had to wear lots of makeup if I ever needed to leave the house so I felt better about myself.
"I know there are risks that come with going on sunbeds but it is like that with everything. “There is a risk that smoking and drinking can cause cancer too and people still do that.
"Having a tan makes me feel better within myself. I wouldn't be the same person without my tan.
If I didn't have a tan then I just wouldn't leave my house.
"My confidence is at its highest when I am tanned. I have even been offered modelling contracts in London which I was so happy about.
"I'd love to get back into doing something like that.
"I couldn't imagine my life without a sunbed.
"I would describe myself as being over the top and very glamorous, so having a tan is essential for me."
We shared how a mum was diagnosed with skin cancer after getting fed up with streaky fake tan and turning to sunbeds.
And sunbed shop workers reveal horrifying reasons you won’t want to use a tanning bed again – including customers getting stuck and some VERY messy calling cards.
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