Some people get a sunburn faster than others because of their coloring. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored skin, and light-colored eyes, you'll tend to get a sunburn more quickly than someone with dark eyes and skin. That's because you have less melanin (say: MEL-uh-nun). Melanin is a chemical in the skin that protects it from sun damage by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. People with darker skin have more melanin, but even if you have dark hair, dark eyes, or darker-toned skin, you can still get a sunburn. It will just take a little bit longer.

Sunburns look bad and feel worse. They can cause blisters on your skin. They can keep you inside feeling sore when everyone else is outside having fun. They increase your chance of getting wrinkly when you get older. And worst of all, they can lead to skin cancer when you are an adult. You don't need to hide from the sun completely or wrap up like a mummy to protect yourself. But you should follow these two steps:

It is important to take care of our skin.

Look at your skin. You probably have one or two scars already. Most people do. Why? Because a lot of things leave scars, like falls or surgery.

No matter what caused your scar, here's how your skin repaired the open wound. The skin made a bunch of collagen. (tough, white protein fibers that reconnect the broken tissue.) As the body did its healing work, a dry, temporary crust formed over the wound. This crust is called a scab.

The scab's job is to protect the wound as the damaged skin heals underneath. Eventually, a scab dries up and falls off on its own, leaving behind the repaired skin and, often, a scar. A scar isn't always a sure thing, though.

How Do I Prevent a Scar?

Of course, the best way to prevent scars is to prevent wounds! You can reduce your chances of getting hurt by wearing kneepads, helmets, and other protective gear when you play sports. 

If you do get hurt, keep the wound covered as it heals so you can keep out bacteria and germs. Avoid picking at the scab because it tears at the collagen and could introduce germs into the wound. 

It is important to take care of our skin!