Alternative Names & Classifications:
Ultraviolet Radiation Burn (CLINICAL)
Description
A sunburn is a literal radiation burn to the outer layers of the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV radiation penetrates the skin and directly damages cellular DNA, triggering an inflammatory response where blood vessels dilate to bring immune cells to clear away the dead and mutated skin cells. Severe, repeated sunburns significantly increase the long-term risk of developing skin cancer.