It hurt for a second, but then not really. When you get a 3rd degree burn, it is so deep it kills all of the nerves, so you don't really feel anything except maybe at the edges. It was so bad, I thought I'd be scarred for life, but there is only a faint discoloration at this point. I'm betting by the end of the year, even that will be gone. It is amazing that I could have such a deep hole in my hand, but that it can heal completely.