What’s It to Me?
Burn Facts: Tanning vs. Burning

While tanning and burning are both forms of skin damage caused by UV radiation, they are two separate processes resulting primarily from different types of UV radiation.

UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and can produce tanning without burning. You should note that too long of exposure to UVA can also cause a sunburn.

UVB rays can also cause a tan but are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Melanin in the epidermis absorbs UVA and UVB radiation, thus reducing the amount of radiation absorbed by basal cells and squamous cells.

Sunburn

A sunburn happens when skin is damaged primarily by overexposure to UVB radiation. The reddening of the skin is due to injury to blood vessels close to the skin's surface which causes them to become swollen. The reddening may begin a few minutes after exposure and can worsen over the following 24 - 72 hours.

Next: Can I Get Skin Cancer?

Hey, it’s Cool in the Shade.
Protect your skin. Protect yourself.

Some pages on this website are created and maintained by kids—members of Texas 4-H.

All content is reviewed by Carol Rice, R.N., Ph.D., Professor and Extension Health Specialist, Regents Fellow.

This site has been provided to you by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas 4-H, and the Texas Cancer Council.

Last updated: 10 January, 2008

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