First degree burns (for example, mild sunburns): The lightest degree of burns are only superficial. The burned area is red, slightly swollen, painful, dry, and without blisters.
Second degree burns: Involve deeper layers of the skin. The burn appears red, blistered, swollen and painful.
Third degree burns: Destroy all skin layers and may also even damage the underlying tissue, bones, muscles and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. The skin area is insensitive to sensations as the nerve endings are damaged.