LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- To get the most out of your 4th of July outing, Craig O'Neill has gotten you an appointment with a doctor, because you don't want a ray of sunshine to ruin your summer.
Everyone is going to want to catch some sun, but not too much.
“Anybody and everybody is susceptible to UV radiation which is what comes from the sun and damages the skin,” said Dr. Bezolz. “UVA is more dangerous in that it goes a little deeper.”
The trouble is that these UVA rays can throw the switch in your cells the genetic code and that creates problems.
“And that can turn into cancer. If it starts to multiply and go on from there.”
This brings us to the most important line in this report. Rules of the sun apply to everybody.
“With people with darker skins like African Americans, they will have less damage from the skin from the UV rays but they still can get sunburn and you can still definitely get skin cancer no matter what your skin color is.”
Lake, pool, waterpark or ocean, begin your outing with some lotion.
“The one we recommend is something 30 SPF or above.”
And remember, all people under the sun need to stay screened from the sun.
Dr. Bezolz also told us to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out allowing the lotion to spread evenly and if you're out all day, reapply every four hours.