Sunburn

Sunburn is an inflammatory skin reaction caused mainly by excessive ultraviolet radiation. It ranges from redness and tenderness to blistering and systemic symptoms.

Ultraviolet radiation: Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light and longer than X-rays. UVA and UVB wavelengths reach skin and drive most sunburn reactions.
Sun protection factor: A measure of how much sunscreen reduces erythema-producing ultraviolet exposure under standardized testing. SPF helps compare sunscreen protection against the UVB-driven redness associated with sunburn.
Skin cancer: A group of cancers arising from abnormal growth of cells in the skin. Repeated ultraviolet damage, including sunburns, increases the risk of several skin cancers.
Tanning: Darkening of skin pigment following ultraviolet exposure or other stimuli. Tanning is a pigment response, while sunburn is an inflammatory injury; both signal UV exposure.
DNA photodamage: Chemical damage to DNA caused when it absorbs ultraviolet or other high-energy light. UVB-induced DNA lesions help initiate the cellular damage underlying sunburn.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen: Sunscreen labeled to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. It reduces exposure to the ultraviolet wavelengths most relevant to sunburn and other skin damage.
Melanoma: A cancer arising from pigment-producing melanocytes, often in the skin. A history of severe or blistering sunburns is associated with increased melanoma risk.
Photodermatitis: An abnormal skin reaction to light, often involving an immune or chemical sensitivity. Unlike ordinary sunburn, photodermatitis can result from light interacting with a drug or sensitizer.
Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer: A DNA lesion formed when ultraviolet light links adjacent pyrimidine bases, commonly thymine. These lesions are prominent UVB damage signals in sunburned skin.
Photoprotection: Methods that reduce harm to skin from sunlight and other ultraviolet sources. Shade, clothing, and sunscreen prevent the exposure that causes sunburn.

Linked from 11 pages