Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight. With too much exposure to UV light, your skin overheats and becomes red and painful, and may later peel or blister.
When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces a pigment called melanin to help protect itself against the UV rays. This is what makes your skin go darker and is seen as a suntan.
Melanin stops you burning so easily but it doesn't prevent the other harmful effects of UV, such as premature ageing and cancer.
Who is at risk of sunburn?
The less melanin you have, the less protected you are against the effects of UV light.
If you have fair skin or red hair, or have not been in the sun much, you have low levels of melanin so are more likely to burn quickly. You may also have a different type of melanin that makes you more susceptible to burning.
However, anyone can get sunburnt, even those with higher levels of melanin.
When does sunburn happen?
Sunburn does not only happen in hot weather. Light reflecting off snow can also cause sunburn. A breeze, cloudy sky or swimming may make you feel cooler but sunlight can still get through and damage your skin.
