There are three different burn types: first degree burns, second-degree burns, and a third-degree burn. A first-degree burn refers to a burn that only damages the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of our skin. A second-degree burn typically causes damage to the dermis, which is the layer directly underneath the epidermis. A third-degree burn refers to a more serious burn type that burns through both the epidermis and the dermis, and then may even cause damage to our nerves and tissue.