I abused sunbeds and nasal sprays for years – they made me so old it’s like I had an age filter on, I’m a clown
A BEAUTY fanatic has revealed she’s ditched sunbeds after discovering worrying moles on her body – and said they made her look years older too.
Molly McFarlane, from Glasgow, regularly shares her skincare and makeup tips on social media (@molly.mcfarlane).
The 27-year-old’s army of 215,000 followers are used to seeing her enjoying holidays, nights out and shopping trips with a bronzed glow.
But on Thursday, Molly lifted the lid on a worrying health scare she has suffered due to years of “abusing” tanning beds and nasal sprays.
She said: “If you don’t know, I mentioned in a wee video I had a couple of really dodgy moles removed and one of them came back like kind of a grey area so I’ve been back to have some more taken out my leg for a biopsy and further testing.
“This is obviously super scary but I know I’ve been very thoroughly looked after and will have regular mole maps every 3-5 months for the next five years. Intense, I know.
“I wouldn’t usually share anything so personal but I am coming from a good place when I say PLEASE stop going for sunbeds.
“I’ve been dealing with the damage for the majority of this year and the anxiety/risks just aren’t worth it.”
She added: “I’m not the first to say it, I know this is nothing revolutionary, but you just don’t think it’ll happen to you until it does and omg the stress.
“Absolutely no judgement here. I know how easy it is to abuse sunbeds but if this changes one person’s mind that would be amazing.
“It probably sounds so rich coming from someone who completely took the piss out of sunbeds and nasal sprays, embarrassing to admit.
“I just want to put as many of my followers off as possible.
“But absolutely no sympathy needed here. I am a clown and I know it.
“I just wanted to be completely honest. I am here to scare you guys and make you think twice about sunbeds.”
Molly also shared pictures of herself from 2022 and this year to show the ageing effect sunbeds were having on her skin.
The influencer’s face looks visibly smoother and wrinkle-free in recent images after ditching them.
Commenting on last year’s image, she said: “Not to mention how old I was making myself look. I look like I have an age filter on me.”
To achieve her bronzed glow in a safe, sunless and UV-free way, Molly now swears by spray tans instead.
Her spray tan specialist Sam, based in Glasgow, said: “Like [Molly] said, it’s [sunbeds] not worth the risk.
“That quick ‘few minutes’ on a sunbed is a few minutes you’re risking your health and your skin.
“There’s way and means around it, but here’s a few home truths.
“It doesn’t give you a ‘base tan’, it doesn’t ‘help your skin’ or ‘cure’ your psoriasis/eczema.
“They can be up to TEN TIMES hotter than the sun, at the warmest time of the day on holiday, and could your skin really handle that on holiday!?
“Using them for the first time under 35 increases your risk of skin cancer by 59% and regular use under 30 increases it by 75%.
“Melanoma is one of the biggest killers in 15-34 year olds in the UK! – more than smoking.”
She added: “Not only are they putting your life at risk, they are ageing your skin rapidly too.
“I’ve had so many clients switch from using sunbeds on a regular basis, to opting for spray tans or at home self tan, and a big part of why I started this business is to increase that number and promote safe sunless tanning.
“If you’re against tanning because ‘it smells’, it’s ‘orange and patchy’, ‘my bed sheets and clothes will be stained’, then I’m here to tell you to choose a reputable spray tan artist, who knows their stuff and can advise you on the best prep and aftercare to avoid tan disasters AND even opt for one who offers clear tan, that won’t leave a mark anywhere, if your clothes and bedsheets are your biggest concern.
“But a weekly spray tan and your health, over frying in a bed and looking old will always be the winner for me.”
Social media users may recognise influencer Molly from season one of reality show The Agency: Unfiltered.
The BBC Scotland series followed Aquarius Creative, Scotland’s largest influencer agency, its founders Kirsten Cameron and Amy Moore, and some of the top girls on their books.
And Beeb bosses have renewed the show for a second season, which airs on January 8.
Kirsten and Amy said: “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to share our story with viewers once again, showing them the unfiltered reality of our world.
“We’re passionate about what we do and it’s been humbling to see the audience response to the first series. We can’t wait to get going on series two.”