The skin is the body’s first layer of defense. Our skin protects us from thousands of infections and illnesses. However, when our skin experiences a burn, the injury can affect our skin’s ability to protect the rest of our bodies. The first layer of our skin is the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin. When this layer of skin endures damage, it usually stems from a first-degree burn. The next layer is the dermis, which is a thicker underlayer of skin. Because there are nerve endings near the dermis, a person experiences pain with a second-degree burn, which damages both the dermis and the epidermis. The next layer is the hypodermis, which is the layer of skin that helps regulate the body’s temperature. When a burn reaches this layer of skin, the damage can be so severe that a person cannot feel the pain from the injury. This is considered a third-degree burn.