What Causes Sunburns?

Sunburns happen when your skin gets too much sunlight, and it feels like it's getting a little too hot.

Imagine you're outside on a bright summer day, and the sun is shining really hard, kind of like how your face feels when you’re sitting in front of a super-bright lamp. The sunlight has something called ultraviolet rays that can make your skin feel warm, and sometimes even hurt.

Your skin acts like a shield, protecting your body from things that might harm it. But when there's too much sunlight, especially for a long time, that shield can get worn out, kind of like how a towel gets all wrinkled if you use it too much.

The ultraviolet rays are like tiny invisible pokers that give your skin little burns. They make the top part of your skin feel hot and red, just like when you leave your face in the sun for too long at the beach.

Sometimes, after a day in the sun, your skin feels tight or even itchy, kind of like how your cheeks feel if they get really warm from laughing too much. That’s your skin telling you it had a little sun adventure!