00:00Why does the sun cause sunburns?
00:04Nothing spoils a day outdoors faster than sunburn.
00:07But what's actually going on with your skin when it goes from tan to burn?
00:12Or for some people, straight to burn?
00:15Everyone's skin contains a pigment called melanin.
00:18The more melanin a person has, the darker their skin.
00:21Now melanin plays an important role when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun.
00:26The pigment absorbs UV radiation, protecting your skin from its damaging effects.
00:31In fact, the reason a person tans in the first place is actually a defense mechanism.
00:37When UV rays hit your skin, your body starts to make more melanin.
00:41Because the more melanin you have, the better protected you are.
00:44And the more melanin your skin produces, the darker your tan.
00:48Now you may be thinking, if the body has this great natural defense, why do we still get
00:53burned?
00:54Well, each person can only produce so much melanin.
00:57An amount that's determined by your genetics.
01:00Simply put, most people aren't able to make enough to adequately protect their skin.
01:05And when the melanin runs out, the burns begin.
01:08Damage from the sun essentially causes skin cells to die off.
01:12And when this happens, the body sends blood to the area to help the healing process, giving
01:17your skin that bright red color.
01:19It also sends immune molecules that lead to pain and inflammation.
01:24So think of melanin as your first line of defense, but it shouldn't be your only line
01:28of defense.
01:29That's where sunscreen comes in.
01:31Why sun burns the skin.
01:33Just another one of life's little mysteries.
01:35Madier
01:41Ready
01:46Bad
01:48Good
01:49Good
02:00Bad
02:01Bad
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