‘Tanorexic’ schoolgirl defies sunbed ban

A “TANOREXIC” schoolgirl who used sunbeds up to five times a week has told how she is defying doctors’ orders to stop.

Hayley Barlow, 14, used solariums almost daily when she first began tanning at the age of 12 - telling her mother she was going to out to the cinema or for a pizza.

Doctors have told her she now has the skin of a 25-year-old and is at serious risk of developing skin cancer by the age of 30.

But the teenager, from Liverpool, still uses a sunbed around once a fortnight.

“I do worry about skin cancer because my nan had it, even though she never used a sunbed, but I could not say I will never use a sunbed ever again,” she said. “Being brown is very important to me. It suits me better. I just can’t imagine being white.”

The term “tanorexic” has been coined to describe people who are addicted to tanning and feel they are never brown enough.

Specialist photographs of Hayley’s face show her skin is heavily pigmented due to sunbed use, particularly over the bridge of her nose and below the eyes.

Despite her continued use of solariums, Hayley added: “I would like to warn other teenagers not to use sunbeds, because of the damage they can cause. I would say use fake tan, because it is cheaper and healthier.”

Hayley’s mother, Ann, said the price of tanning - a four-minute session can cost as little as £1 - is part of the problem.

“You would give your child a pound to get some food or drink, but Hayley was using it to go on the sunbeds. They are just so cheap,” she said.

Deep, all-year tans have become extremely desirable among young people as many celebrities sport golden tans.

Dr Niall Wilson, a consultant dermatologist at Liverpool’s Broadgreen Hospital, said it was not unusual for him to see teenage girls who use sunbeds three or four times a week. “In addition to skin cancer, they put themselves at risk of premature ageing of the skin and damage to the eyes.”