Quick answer
Cool the skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel, apply aftersun or an unperfumed moisturiser, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol or ibuprofen if it hurts, as the NHS advises. Keep the area out of the sun and don't use a sunbed again until it has fully healed. Get urgent advice from NHS 111 if you have blisters, swelling, a high temperature, dizziness or feel unwell.
Treating it yourself
The NHS advises:
- Cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel.
- Apply aftersun or an unperfumed moisturiser.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, following the instructions on the leaflet.
- Keep the burnt skin covered from direct sun until it has healed.
What not to do
- Don't use petroleum jelly or put ice on the burn.
- Don't pop blisters, or scratch or pick at peeling skin.
- Don't wear tight clothing over the burnt area.
- Don't use a sunbed again until your skin has completely healed.
When to get help
A pharmacist can recommend treatments and tell you if you need to see a GP. Get urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111 if you have:
- blistered or swollen skin
- a very high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
- extreme tiredness, dizziness or feeling sick
- a headache or muscle cramps
Sore eyes?
If your eyes feel gritty, sore or watery after a session, UV may have reached them. See do you need goggles on a sunbed? and get them checked if they don't settle.
Stopping it happening again
A burn means the session gave your skin more UV than it could handle. Before your next one, read how to avoid burning on a sunbed, check whether your medicines make you sensitive to light, and consider whether sunbeds suit your skin: see who shouldn't use a sunbed.
