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?

Yeah you need medical advice OP.

I have pale white Irish skin. I had porcelain clear skin with no sun damage so I despair at my stupidity.

Were you in agony even laid down? I’ve done my entire body except my face. Every time I move I’m howling and I’m normally pretty tough! It’s literally 80% of my body.

Thank you for the advice and I’m dilly dallying as I should have tried to get in to my gp today but embarrassment has stopped me

I think you need to be really careful sunstroke can be fatal. If you get really unwell please seek medical help. It’s not just your skin it’s your organs overheating. Maybe ring 111.

Another vote for see a doctor.

I used to do 3 minutes in the sunbed, maybe 5 after I’d been going a few weeks and sometimes would be a bit pink after that. I can’t imagine how painful it must be to have gone from zero to 20 minutes.

And yes the OP should take some responsibility, but so should the shop. I think anyone at my local shop asking for 20 minutes would be questioned if they weren’t a regular, and it wasn’t a particularly professional place.

@SansaStark90 Please do not let embarrassment prevent you from seeking appropriate medical care.

@SansaStark90, don’t let your embarrassment stop you from getting the professional medical help you need. Don’t wait until tomorrow, you need to ring 111 or go to a&e (where they’ll probably send you anyway) tonight.

Are you prepared to die of embarrassment? Because that could happen if you don't get medical advice.

Please go get medical attention. They may be able to give you better creams that you can’t get over the counter etc. I wouldn’t treat this myself without medical advice. you really need to get seen.

Do they sell the green aloe gel in the UK? if they do, get some ASAP and put it in the freezer. Reapply frequently, drink water, rest. For some reason aftersun doesn't do much for me, but freezing cold green aloe gel works wonders. Stupidly went on a sunbed at uni (also extremely pale), only 9 mins, but enough to fry my body for 24 hours. 0/10 experience, never repeated.

Editing to add: it is the Banana Boat Aloe After Sun Gel that I use.

Echoing others, stay out the sun after this, you have essentially given your body third degree burns and you need to take care and monitor your skin after this for changes. Definitely don't be embarassed about going to a GP.

You don't need a GP, you need to go to hospital. You may need to be put on a drip to prevent severe dehydration.

You are also now at incredibly high risk for skin cancer including melanoma, so you will need to check your skin monthly and ideally book in for annual mole checks.

Calm down firstly. See a doctor secondly. They won’t judge you, they will have seen this and far worse before
Whatever you are feeling will pass and your skin will return to normal aesthetically. Drink plenty of fluids. Please stay out of the sun this summer as your skin will be very sensitive.No more sunbeds- they are the work of the devil. Keep a close eye on your skin after this and eat/rest well

I would complain to the shop too that's so dangerous, they never should have let you do this. That staff member needs better training. Try raise your legs too to help with swelling.

Sounds awful. Sunbeds aren’t good for your health at the best of time, I’d stick to fake tan if I were you. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi OP, I work on the front line in health care and telling you now please don’t let embarrassment stop you seeking care. You need to be seen and possibly be put on IV fluids. Take care x

For the love of god, please go to A&E, now! They won't give a shit about you going on the sunbed but you need urgent medical attention! Please, just go!

For goodness sake, will you do something to look after yourself!? If you’re too scarred to get help then call an adult who will take you and do it for you.

Get medical attention; just in case. Take strong painkillers. Drink. Get in a cool bath.

I can’t believe they let you do 20 mins! The place i used to go to had 12 as a maximum even for people who were obsessive sun bed users!

OP didn't want to read and run. Please be kind to yourself - it's a lesson learned for the future. In the meantime, bite the bullet and go and get yourself seen. You'll feel better - both physically and from an anxiety point of view too xx

No reputable salon allowed you to go beyond 12 minutes when I was stupid enough to use them 20 year ago. 20 mins is scandalous - these places need to be made illegal, I didn't even know they were still around!

Health anxiety and sunbedding don't really go together, do they, OP?

Please see proper medical advice. Don't let embarrassment stop you.

It's important to call 111 or go online because you might need emergency treatment. Remember the full impact of the burns could still be to come.

You may need prescription grade pain relief so need to be seen asap.

Drink lots of water as pp have been saying.

I used lots of ice on my legs when they were burnt badly from sitting under a beach raffia sunshade & not realising they don't protect you from the sun at all.

You won't be the first person they have seen in this type of situation & your health is so important.

I know you feel embarrassed but healthcare workers would much rather treat you than you sit at home in pain from burns. Ring up 111 see if they will give you an ooo appt or see where they will send you too, and get the healthcare you need.

Definitely go and see a doctor.

I'm porcelain white and when I did a sunbed I was told 3 minutes max

@SansaStark90 Look at it this way:
The sooner you seek qualified medical help, the better the outcome will be.

Please set aside your embarrassment, medical staff will want to care for you.

They will also want to know about the tanning salon, to ensure that it is investigated and closed down before it creates any more patients for them!

But why would someone walk in off the street and automatically know what's a sensible time for their first time on a sunbed?

It's like someone with no understanding of alcohol ordering a pint of vodka, and the bartender actually serving it.