It can burn and discolor your skin, however it can be allievated with aleo vera gel. I used it at least 4 times a day and my skin did darken a bit but I never burned even after 8 weeks of daily radiation. There is no pain at all. It is like an xray. You usually go the same time everyday. It took me only 15 minutes each day. The first time you go to have it all set up takes a few hours but after that it is easy. Try and find clear aleo vera gel and start using it now. Use it morning - and night on the area to be radiated. It works wonders.

Your radiation team should give you something to put on it; I think they tend to go with Calendula, but you can also use Aquafor or pure aloe vera gel. Just make sure it doesn't have any alcohol or perfumes/dyes in it. :)

I finished up my radiation on July 3 of this year. The treatments did not hurt at all and I really love my technicians - they were just amazing. But I did have burning, mostly in my armpit and under my breast. I was advised to get Sween Cream before I started treatment. I applied that at least twice a day and it was very soothing. However, after about 3.5 weeks, my armpit became very raw, followed by under my breast. I talked to my radiation oncologist and he prescribed a prescription med, all I can see on the container is SSD 1% Cream. I applied that to the raw areas and it really helped.

But yeah, the treatments don't hurt at all -- even the very last ones when you are so raw and red. Let your doctor know if you are uncomfortable...they have solutions for you!!

Radiation does not hurt, not in the sense of while you are getting it done. It's the burn, if you allow it to happen, that will cause some pain. Aquaphor is is what I was given by the radiation tech to apply to my skin. Some of my skin did peel away after a few weeks, and the dark discoloration is still there after 4 years. But, I am alive and well! Good luck! Hugs, Lisa

My radiologist sold Miaderm (radiation relief cream) to use through radiation to help relieve some potential burn. For the areas that did get a bad burn which blistered and peeled, leaving raw, sensitive skin, they prescribed Silvadeen ointment which eased the raw area within a few days and all irritation, sensitivity was gone. The skin has darkened some, lots in the burn areas. My radiation was not painful at all. The daily treatment was only a couple minutes long.
These creams/ointments were not suggested/available 11 years ago when I went through radiation treatments for my first breast cancer. This time was different.