 Radiation burns may be caused by protracted exposure to ultraviolet light ( such as from the sun , tanning <unk> or arc welding ) or from ionizing radiation ( such as from radiation therapy , X @-@ rays or radioactive fallout ) . Sun exposure is the most common cause of radiation burns and the most common cause of superficial burns overall . There is significant variation in how easily people <unk> based on their skin type . Skin effects from ionizing radiation depend on the amount of exposure to the area , with hair loss seen after 3 Gy , <unk> seen after 10 Gy , wet skin <unk> after 20 Gy , and <unk> after 30 Gy . <unk> , if it occurs , may not appear until some time after exposure . Radiation burns are treated the same as other burns . <unk> burns occur via thermal heating caused by the <unk> . While exposures as short as two seconds may cause injury , overall this is an uncommon occurrence . 
