How It Works: Sunburn

The science of sun damage.

From Reader's Digest

• Skin Care
• Summer Season
• Skin Cancer

Illustrated by 5W Infographics

To prevent burns, use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply often.

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Illustrated by 5W Infographics

To prevent burns, use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply often.

It's a little more complicated than a simple heat-and-char process. Immediately after sun exposure, you'll see some pink skin: That comes from dilation of the capillaries in reaction to ultraviolet B rays.

UV radiation damages your DNA, setting you up for possible skin cancer and suppressing immunity. But your skin does try to fight back. As soon as you're exposed to UV radiation, cells called melanocytes release melanin pigment that blocks UV rays-in the form of a tan that can reflect UV light. You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: To prevent burns, use a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply often.

From Reader's Digest - July 2008

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