How To Care for Tanning Bed Burns
Statistics show that over thirty million Americans use a tanning salon each year. That number is expected to double in the next five years. However, while in the pursuit of the perfect tan it can be easy to spend too long under the lights and burn.
In the event of a tanning bed burn, follow these steps:
- As soon as you return home, take a cool bath. You can add a product like Aveeno or another oatmeal-based product to the water to give extra relief, but it is not necessary.
- Carefully dry yourself after getting out of the bath, patting yourself dry instead of rubbing. Rubbing a towel across the skin will only aggravate the burn.
- Apply aloe vera spray or lotion to the affected area.
- Wear clothing that will fit loosely on the body. Also, wear breathable fabrics that will keep your skin cool and dry.
- You may take medicines like Tylenol, Advil or any other anti-inflammatory drug to relieve the pain. Make sure that you contact your doctor before you start taking medication.
- Carefully watch for blisters to appear. If they do, do not pick or rub them. If a blister opens, immediately apply an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin and loosely cover the area with a bandage.
- Do not return to the tanning salon until the burn has healed. Also, limit your exposure to the sun when you are outdoors. If you continue to tan while your burn is healing, you will hinder the healing process.