Sunbed Shock

[SansaStark90]

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?

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.

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

It’s not the scarring that is the potential issue

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

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

And this is why tanning shops should be banned

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.

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?!

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.

To all the people saying the op is stupid for doing this, this is not the time and not what people need to hear when they are worried and anxious. The shop should have provided advice and guidance when the op went in. It’s so negligent. I don’t know who regulates these shops in the uk? They are certainly a public health risk and agree they should be banned.

How the chuff did you endure 20 mins???
I've got olive skin and tan really well but I can only handle 6 mins on a sunbed.
I really hope you've gone quiet on this thread because you're seeking medical attention.
Update us, I'm actually concerned for you ❤️

Whilst that’s your opinion and that of plenty others, burning doesn’t always stop people from using the sunbeds. Hence why it’s best to give some advice for if she wants to go back to prevent the same thing happening again.

Swallow your pride and go to a walk in centre OP. That needs looked at. I'd be worried about some sort of sun allergy type thing.

My family were heading off on our first holiday abroad in 1986, when I was just 6 years old, and in "preparation", my DM hired a sunbed, which me and my 4 year old DSis were placed under in order to "get our skin ready" for the foreign sun! Totally bonkers, and you'll never guess what my DM did for a living... she was a NURSE!

Surely this is negligent and the tanning shop should not have allowed you to use the bed for so long.

I am definitely owning that no one forced me and it’s on me for being so stupid. As you can see in the photo. My natural skin tone is very pale so why I thought to go on for so long. I clearly wasn’t thinking. Really paying for not engaging my brain now!

20 minutes holy good god. I think I'd seek medical attention.

Have you contacted 111 or going to go to a walk in etc for the burns?

The shop were negligent, there’s no way they should have let you do 20 minutes, I started with 3 minutes once and burnt a bit from that.

Get into a tepid bath, not cold.

Do you have any aloe vera? Put this on instead of any creams.

This is going to take a week or two OP, so be aware of this so you can be prepared.

You need to drink fluids, you are at high risk of dehydration.
Get some anti histamine as well as the burnt area may start to itch like hell. Whatever you do, do not scratch and pop any blisters.

I see you are worried about scarring. This is the least of your issues now, but if you pop any blisters that will increase the risk.

Get aloe vera on and keep the skin moist. Don't let it dry out.

Just sleep with a sheet and take ibuprofen.

Of course see a dr if feel you need to.