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Original poster

Sunbed Shock

689 replies

SansaStark90 · 16/04/2025 17:09

I’ve been really stupid and gone on the sunbed for twenty minutes and the burns I’ve got - I’ve never seen skin as red. I’ve got like indents to my skin as though I’ve woken to stretch marks on my chest. Will these disappear? I’m in agony. I’ve never burnt and so didn’t know it could cause this kind of pain. I’m shaking shivering. I did this yesterday. Can someone reassure my health anxiety that these indents will all calm down?

OP posts:
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SanctusInDistress · 16/04/2025 19:09

Having had heat stroke before, the hot and cold is exactly that. Get yourself to a walk in clinic or A&E so they can check you out.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 16/04/2025 19:08

huffyhufferson · 16/04/2025 18:48

I was prepared to be flamed on here but at the end of the day, this thread is about @SansaStark90 and her asking for advice. It doesn't matter what I do or don't do on a sunbed - I am not asking for anyone's opinion.

Well if you're going to admit publicly what you are doing then people are going to comment on it. Nobody's "flaming" you, just giving you good advice which no doubt you won't take.

I've seen what my SIL has suffered for years and she has survived way longer than anyone thought she would have. She didn't think she would see her child grow up.

If you are prepared to risk that, then knock your socks off. Imagine the state your skin will be in when you're older?!

housethatbuiltme · 16/04/2025 19:06

SansaStark90 · 16/04/2025 17:29

I thought I’d be over the worst as in I didn’t think it would swell anymore. But the indents and little white dots are appearing. Think it’s going to blister. Im in agony. Feel dreadful. And i have no one to blame but myself. I went to a sunbed shop. But it’s my own fault as I used to tan very easily in the sun, I thought 20 minutes was standard. The young girl was probably 20 and wasn’t paying attention to me. Dumb dumb award of the year, goes to…..me.

Ive never used a sunbed as I have extremely delicate bright white Irish skin but when I was young and very dumb I was at a day party in summer got drunk and fell asleep in the sun for about an hour and had sun burn that looked just like that.

I remember a hair from my head fell on my cleavage and you could see exactly where because it turned white where it touched. It felt like agony but I also couldn't pick it off because that would cause even more pain trying to get it.

That was about 15 years ago though and I healed and recovered fine, seemingly no long term effects for my stupidity. Just a few days of feeling like I was cooking from the inside out and even the air hurting my skin.

Mikart · 16/04/2025 19:05

And this is why tanning shops should be banned

SophieJo · 16/04/2025 19:04

KimberleyClark · 16/04/2025 17:23

These things need banning.

If only I hadn’t used sunbeds in the 70s. Now know that sunbeds can lead to skin cancer.

TeaIsNice · 16/04/2025 19:04

Bloody hell. Get checked out and you will need to monitor your skin for the rest of your life now.

RedPanda901 · 16/04/2025 19:04

Please buy Jason’s Aloe Vera gel (not moisturiser). It’s so cooling and good for sunburn. I once burned v badly in India and it was a lifesaver.

JessyCarr · 16/04/2025 19:03

I hope you’re receiving treatment and recover well, OP.

Your thread has made me look up the current state of sunbed regulation in the UK. I am horrified to see that there has been a surge in use of sunbeds due to social media trends. Another generation is at risk of awful damage.

There is a campaign by Skin Cancer UK, in case anyone is interested:

https://www.themelanomalaw.com/

The Melanoma Law

https://www.themelanomalaw.com

3amamama · 16/04/2025 19:02

When did you actually get off the sunbed OP? As in when did the exposure happen? It’s not clear. Also not sure what ‘indents’ are?

You can get good burn cream called flamizine or something on prescription. Not sure if pharmacist can dole it out.

Dioralyte and ibuprofen.

You poor thing. I’m sure it hurts.

ThejoyofNC · 16/04/2025 19:01

Jesus Christ this is insanity. Firstly I can't believe the shop sold you 20 minutes. In most shops that's the max amount of time you're allowed. But why on earth didn't you get off? You can feel your skin burning on a sunbed the same as you can in the sun.

I (stupidly) used them regularly in my late teens/early twenties and even as a regular user with a good base tan I couldn't stick longer than 12 minutes.

I hope you've gone to the hospital.

Coffeeheaven · 16/04/2025 19:00

Jesus! 20 minutes! I used to do 3 minutes and thought that was hot!
I would seriously complain or report the salon if they didn't give you guidance or a warning for your first time.

Notgonnalieaboutthis · 16/04/2025 19:00

Allaboardtheraveytrain · 16/04/2025 18:57

I don't know enough about it so agree with pp's: go to hospital.

But to reassure you somewhat - I've had both sunstroke and blistering sunburn several times before (just from being stupid & drunk on holidays). I scar really easily and I didn't scar from the blistering, so don't worry yourself about that bit. It'll peel and fade within weeks

It’s not the scarring that is the potential issue

SausageMonkey2 · 16/04/2025 19:00

oh God you’re still cooking. See a doctor.

Notgonnalieaboutthis · 16/04/2025 18:58

Sun beds should be banned. Change in skin colour increases risk of skin colour FACT. I think you need to be checked by a medical professional.

Vdlormp · 16/04/2025 18:57

McGregor33 · 16/04/2025 17:46

I used to go for 18 minutes but that was after building up from 3 minutes over a long period of time. I’ve had my fair share of sunbed burns and been pretty similar to you. I used loads of aftersun and tepid baths/ showers. Drinking plenty of water also helps too! Do not get on another sunbed until you fully heal and take it slow if you do.

She should never use a sun bed again

viques · 16/04/2025 18:57

huffyhufferson · 16/04/2025 17:59

Oh you poor thing. You have to get medical help - and fast. Call 111 for advice. I have been going to the sunbeds for years and I go on 16mins a time about 3 or 4 times a week. For you to have been allowed to go on for 20mins for your 1st time is negligent on the Salon. Their staff should be trained to know this sort of thing. First & foremost though, is for you to get medical help. Please do this @SansaStark90.

Some people might say allowing someone to use a sun bed for 16 minutes several times a week is also negligent given the high risk of skin cancer from that sort of use.

Allaboardtheraveytrain · 16/04/2025 18:57

I don't know enough about it so agree with pp's: go to hospital.

But to reassure you somewhat - I've had both sunstroke and blistering sunburn several times before (just from being stupid & drunk on holidays). I scar really easily and I didn't scar from the blistering, so don't worry yourself about that bit. It'll peel and fade within weeks

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 16/04/2025 18:57

You need medical advice and assistance.
Sunbed shops are notorious for not having any morals or standards.
Please, please don’t use one again it’s not worth it.

paddyclampster · 16/04/2025 18:56

How are you feeling, OP?

60andcounting · 16/04/2025 18:55

Aloe Vera is the best thing to put on until you decide if you're going to the GP etc. Don't use after sun, it won't help..

PaperSnowAGhost89 · 16/04/2025 18:52

JustMyView13 · 16/04/2025 18:34

OP you need to report this to trading standards and get treatment for your burns. Reputable shops should’ve advised you on the appropriate duration based on your skin type and first time use. Anything more than 6 first time is wild. And usually if you’re trying to increase by more than 6 they warn you and make you sign a waiver. To allow someone in for 20mins as a first timer suggests it’s not a legit shop.

Don’t be embarrassed if you need treatment for sunstroke. Those burns will be severe, you’ll need to stay hydrated and follow nhs guidance. Once they start to blister dab some hylauranic acid on it to keep it hydrated, but patch test first. The rest of your body you want aloe gel. Again, patch test first.

Report the sunbed shop. Absolutely report the shop asap. Negligent and dangerous. This will dramatically increase your risk of severe skin conditions. They need to be stopped.
And go to hospital! Go to hospital asap. You will have severe sunstroke and burns. Blisters take time to come out, they're so painful and absolutely do scar unfortunately. You'll be extremely dehydrated and potentially in need of proper burn treatment and a drip.

Woodburnerisout · 16/04/2025 18:52

How are you doing OP?

TheMimsy · 16/04/2025 18:51

@SansaStark90 ring non emergent nhs now sausage and get some medical advice. That or get taken to an out of hours pharmacy and see what they advise.

my sun place won’t let me go in for more than 6 minutes - I’m pale newbie to it all. And the other folks I see going in are normally around 10 mins. 15 max. :/

viques · 16/04/2025 18:50

midlifeattheoasis · 16/04/2025 18:04

I know this isn't helpful, but why does anyone use sun beds any more? Self tanning lotions are so good these days, that I don't know why anyone would risk sun beds?

I agree, didn’t even realise sun bed shops still existed, I thought they had gone the way of video rental shops.

MesmerisingMuon · 16/04/2025 18:50

Why would anyone with a brain exposure themselves deliberately to ionising radiation????

How are sunbeds not banned?????

You do realise that "tanning" is the body producing melanin to protect you against the ionising radiation? It's a sign you are damaging your body.