Can you get sunburn on your scalp? Absolutely.
Can you get sunburn on your scalp? Absolutely. Any exposed skin can burn, including your scalp. It can happen along your part, at your hairline, in thinning areas, or across your entire scalp — ouch!
In this guide, we cover the symptoms of scalp sunburn, its causes, risk factors, and scalp care tips to manage and prevent a burnt scalp.
Scalp sunburn feels just like sunburn anywhere else. The symptoms include:
Pain
Redness
Skin that feels warm to the touch
Dry, itchy, and peeling skin
Symptoms of peeling, dryness, and itching typically start about seven to 10 days after excess sun exposure.
Signs and symptoms of a severe scalp sunburn include:
Blisters on your scalp
Swelling of the scalp or hairline
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Fevers and chills
A severe sunburn with heat stroke symptoms like fever or chills requires immediate medical attention.
Spending long hours outside during peak sunlight hours, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., can lead to sunburn on your scalp. This is particularly true if your hair is thin or you’re bald.
Forgetting sunscreen or sun protection further increases your risk of sunburn. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This blocks 97 percent of UVB rays. Many brands even offer scalp-specific sunscreen that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy. And don’t skip the hat with UPF protection.
Think indoor tanning beds are safer than the sun? Think again. Research shows a 20 percent increased risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, from just a single indoor tanning session.
It’s a myth that only light-skinned people can get sunburned. Anyone can get a scalp burn, but some factors make it more likely.
Location and time of year. Living or visiting areas with strong sunlight increases your sunburn risk.
Thinning hair. Your hair is like a natural sun shield. Thinning hair naturally fine hair means less protection. And if you’re losing hair and your part is widening, that exposed skin is a sun magnet.
Having a shaved or bald head. No hair? No protection. Folks with shaved or bald heads are at the highest risk for scalp sunburn.
Skipping sun protection: If you don’t wear sunscreen or UPF clothing, your sunburn risk goes up.
Genetics. Got fair skin? Your genes make you more prone to sunburn.
Being near reflective surfaces. Surfaces like water, sand, or snow can reflect sunlight — yes, you can burn even when it’s cold outside.
Driving in a convertible. Hair blowing in the wind. Sounds fun, but it’s also a perfect opportunity for the sun to target the top of your head. Plus, the wind can mask the heat, so you might not feel the burn till later.
You don’t usually need a healthcare professional to spot a sunburn. Telltale signs are usually obvious after too much sun.
But, if your sunburn is severe, with intense pain and large blisters, or if you suspect sun poisoning, heat stroke, or infection (look for pus, swelling, or a bad odor), it’s time to see a doctor.
If you burn often, spend a lot of time in the sun, or have a family history of skin cancer, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist for regular skin checks.
During a skin exam, a healthcare professional will look for signs of precancerous lesions like actinic keratoses or solar keratoses. These spots, caused by long-term sun damage, often show up as dry, scaly pink or red patches on the skin.
In some cases, they may turn into skin cancer, with melanoma being the most serious type.
Early detection is crucial — the five-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent if caught early. So if you notice dry, scaly patches, moles with uneven or blurry borders, or moles that grow or change shape, it’s important to seek medical advice from a board-certified dermatologist.
You can manage most sunburns at home without medical intervention.
Here’s how:
Avoid exposing sunburnt skin to the sun to prevent additional skin damage.
Use sunscreen and wear sun-protective clothing when going outside with a scalp sunburn.
Take over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin) to limit pain and inflammation.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and electrolytes.
Shower in lukewarm or cool water since hot water can irritate skin.
Apply cold compresses to the skin to relieve burning.
Use aloe vera gel or lotion to moisten the skin, alleviate pain.
Take colloidal oatmeal baths in cool or lukewarm water.
Apply calamine lotion to help soothe the skin.
Wash the blisters with soap and water and cover them with moist gauze if they rupture and do not pop unruptured blisters.
When trying to soothe painful, sunburnt skin, it’s easy to make mistakes. Some products might seem helpful but can actually worsen your symptoms. Here’s what to avoid:
Shampoos and conditioners with sulfates or dimethicone. Sulfates make shampoo foamy, but they can dry out and irritate your scalp. Dimethicone smooths hair but blocks pores and traps heat, hindering the healing process.
Local anesthetic creams. Creams like lidocaine might offer temporary relief, but can irritate burnt skin.
Petroleum jelly products. Vaseline, Aquaphor, and other oil-based products can block pores, slowing healing and increasing the risk of infection.
Makeup. Covering up a sunburn with makeup might be tempting, but the oils and ingredients in makeup can delay healing.
Lotions with alcohol. Alcohol is drying to the skin and can irritate a burn.
Fragranced soaps or lotions. Avoid scented soaps or lotions, which can irritate sensitive skin and delay healing.
Topical and oral corticosteroids. Research shows that oral and topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone cream don’t help treat sunburns.
Here’s the hard truth: A scalp sunburn isn’t just uncomfortable — it can cause permanent skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, and having five or more sunburns in your life doubles your risk of melanoma, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation.
The best way to lower your risk? Avoid sunburn altogether. Here’s how you can easily protect your scalp:
Wear a hat or head covering when outdoors, ideally one with UV protection or a wide-brimmed hat.
Sit in the shade when possible, under trees, umbrellas, canopies.
Limit your total time In the sun.
Wear scalp sunscreen.
Remember to apply sunscreen all the way to your hairline if sunscreen is part of your skincare routine.
Is sunburn on the scalp dangerous? It could be. But good news: It’s preventable.
Understand the risks and take steps like wearing hats, using scalp sunscreen, and avoiding long periods in the hot sun. These simple actions can help protect your scalp from harmful UV rays. Remember, a little prevention today means healthier skin tomorrow.
Check out our guide to the causes of sore scalp to learn more about other painful scalp conditions.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!