A UK man who admitted to spending more than $38,000 on risky injections to make his skin tan thinks the National Health Service should bail him out, and he's drawing a barrage of criticism and backlash from the public.
Ryan Ruckledge's spending habits on Melanin injections came to light during a Monday appearance on the British channel ITV's "This Morning." The 22-year-old reportedly said he would rather die than be pale.
"I'm pretty happy with myself at the minute but without [the injections] I wouldn't be," Ruckledge told ITV.
Stomach pains and panic attacks are just some of the side effects Ruckledge risks when he injects himself with Melanin, which makes the skin darker and is unapproved for injections. He's now urging the government to research the treatments and is requesting the NHS pick up the tab for his debt, ITV reported.
"I've got myself into thousand of pounds worth of debt for this and they should help with it," said Ruckledge, who also spent about 60,000 pounds (more than $90,000) on botox and teeth whitening.
Scores of critics tore into Ruckledge for suggesting the government should fund his cosmetic addiction.
"This tanning jab moron is one of the most embarrassing human beings I've ever seen," one viewer said, according to The Mirror.
"@itvthismorning I really can't believe Ryan. Spouts a load of rubbish. Very sad, go and get help Ryan not another tanning injection," Pauline Wilson tweeted.
Ruckledge said doctors have urged him to seek counseling, but he turned them down.