Fruit on the Beach© 2026

"RENEWED BEAUTY

RESTORED CONFIDENCE"®

LeDerm® Laser & Medical Aesthetic Newsletter

922 Waltham St. Ste #109

Lexington, MA 02421

781-862-8100

Ah July, Here at Last

July 4, 2026

Happy 4th from Mary

And LeDerm

Greetings!

This is my annual summer sun protection Newsletter:

We love taking care of your skin and want you to as well. This time every year I think about how to best answer all your questions regarding sunscreen, sun damage, and protection. I conducted my "Fruit on the Beach©" experiment 18 years ago and it is still the best way to show the real benefits of proper sun protection and skin care and sun damage. I am happy to share it with you again and I hope you will take the time to read it and learn to protect your skin. I've condensed it quite a bit so you can pick and choose the information you would like to expand.

I'm always looking for new sunscreens. Several that have come to my attention. Upon checking ingredients and testing consistency:

See article below on new sun screen for kids.
Trader Joes Zinc Oxide Mineral Spray 15% zinc. Safe, easy application and great for kids. I use it. (White can not the Blue can)
Brush on Block 22% Zinc No Chemicals. Amazon, Costco on line, and Walmart. I use it. also on Brush on Block website
Badger - Too Pasty, OK zinc. I don't use it.
Supergoop - Chemicals not enough zinc. I don't use it.
Neutrogena Retinol Sunscreen - Chemicals - No Zinc and an instigator of cancer. I would never use it.

Always read for Zinc content first - the higher the better for pigment and wrinkle prevention.

___________________________________

FDA Investigating Carcinogens in J&J Sunscreens

It's about time!

Containing low levels of benzene (the culprit carcinogen) is like being a little bit pregnant! Benzine is a carcinogen. This is information I've been teaching since 2007, ever since I founded LeDerm. We pride ourselves on carrying mineral based sunscreen for years. Please read your ingredient labels first then SPF since ingredients are more important than SPF.

READ ARTICLE

Have a Happy and Healthy 4th of July,

Enjoy your summer,

Warm regards,

Mary

Don't forget to click the underlined blue links for more reading!

LeDerm is a Medical Aesthetic Spa operating under the license of a Harvard Trained and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Richard Peinert.

This article Fruit on the Beach © has a copyright and may not be used or reproduced without permission from the author.

Fruit on the Beach©

Day 1 at the Beach

BEFORE Photo

AFTER - 5 Days Later

You are viewing a "sun tan" on fruit an oxidation process.

Looks great!?

I used fruit to illustrate the oxidation process, otherwise known as rotting, which is similar to tanning. Oxidation, rust, rot, and tanning are analogous. Tan on skin looks lovely and is deceiving because you don't see its ravages for years to come.

In the 5 day after photo I was amazed to watch the progress. The slice that still looks somewhat appetizing in the after photo had sun screen with 18% zinc and vitamin C applied to it. I took the before photos, waited a few hours then took the after photos. They definitely began to turn brown, except for the sun screen protected piece. When I was ready to leave the beach, I decided not to toss the apple slices out because I was curious about the sun screen on the apple slice and what would happen over time. As I mentioned, in the after photo the slices are 5 days old and the slice on the left looks amazingly fresh compared to the oxidized, rotted, tanned - right apple slice. The damage continued and it does on your skin too. It's called aging and the sun just moves that along faster than birthdays.

Most cooks understand oxidation. You need to squeeze lemon juice on your fruit or vegetables before cooking so they don't turn brown, who wants to be served "Tanned" food at the table! The secret to preventing oxidation or rust/rot caused by oxygen is to provide a layer of protection between the target and the air or oxygen. Translated, this could be primer on your deck, a layer of paint on metal objects, a quick squeeze of lemon juice on your fruit and sun screen on your body. Sealed, the target is protected from oxygen and the oxidation process. You reduce the aging process all around.

What exactly is a sun tan? You say great color, you look healthier?" At the end of the summer it begins to look like leather to me, dead skin without luster or luminosity, you look older. Luminous skin is younger looking skin, it has vitality. In my opinion, skin is the most beautiful organ of the human body. It really is the skin and it's arrangement that attracts us to one another. It also protects us and holds us together!

Tanning is skin damage put pure and simply. Your skin turns brown as a result of the body's protective mechanism swinging into action from DNA damage. It is a reaction of pigmentation, (melanin) combined with oxygen to create an oxidation state. But in the process of the skin trying to protect itself, it is damaged. The oxidation process creates free radicals; loss of an electron that creates a chain reaction in the skin, depleting collagen which results in aging wrinkles and volume loss leading to lax and sagging skin. Tanning speeds the aging process radically. The cells can also mutate. Studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) is one of the major contributors to the development of melanoma and skin cancers.

Image of collagen fibers, it's the protein matrix that supports the skin and keeps the skin lifted.

Also looks like a house of cards

Sun damaged skin results in collagen collapse - leaving a tsunami of wrinkles in its wake and pigmentation too! See image below of left sun damaged and wrinkled face

I'm teaching you "safe sun" practices and aged skin prevention

Sun Screen in considered the world's

#1 Anti-Aging Cream

click image to watch video

Sunscreen Hall of Shame

Neutrogena Retinol with Sun Screen is an Oxymoron

Retinol is a serum that is applied at night to assist skin cell turnover it thins the skin

Sunscreen is a cream that protects your collagen

These are opposing actions and cancer just waiting to happen.

Plus no zinc for the best skin protection

It's all chemicals and cancer causing chemicals at that.

Active Ingredients Sunscreen ingredients: Avobenzone 2%, Homosalate 4%, Octisalate 4%, and Octocrylene 2% .

Don't use it!

Shame on you Neutrogena!

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Repair

FDA Approves First New Sunscreen Ingredient

in 25 years

The chemical, Bemotrizinol, also know as BEMT, will give American consumers access to a level of ultraviolet A protection that has until now been unavailable on U.S. store shelves. The regulatory review process leading uo to this approval took more than two decades.

Here's what EWG says about BEMT:

Major win for USA consumers

Wii be available in stores August 9, 2026

2 Categories of Sunscreen

Mineral and Chemical

Sun screen is your first line of defense in the fight against aging and cancer and as long as you're going to make the effort of applying it daily, you'll

want to be picky about what you are going to put on your face and body. Usually the pricier sun screens have healthier ingredients in them and less chemicals and your face is worth it. Think about it, even the most expensive sun screen is cheaper than a face lift! Choose the one you love and it will be a pleasure to apply it daily.

Safe SunScreens for Kids and Babies

There are new sunscreens out for kids and babies that you'll want to check out. Both verified by EWG meaning the products meet strict

test standards for health and safety.

Thinkbaby Sunscreen is a highly-rated, pediatrician-recommended mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It utilizes non-nano zinc oxide and is free from harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, BPA, Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, petroleum, gluten and dairy, and contains no fragrance, reducing the risk if skin reactions n sensitive baby skin. the product is reef-afe and not tested on animals, aligning with the environmental and ethical considerations.

It comes 30 SPF and 50 SPF, 3oz or 6 oz and can be found on Amazon for $12 - $23.

Babo Botanicals is another EWG verified kids and babies sunscreen

a highly rated line of mineral-based, reef-friendly sunscreens known for their gentle, plant-based formulas that are ideal for sensitive skin, babies, and the entire family. Their sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Found on Amazon for $19 - $25.

Other Sun Safe Tips for Kids

Children should also be covered from the sun, especially when the sun is blistering hot. This includes hats, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) clothing, like sun hoodies. Coolibar is one of my favorites online stores to find what you are looking for. Have them wear sunglasses to protect them from UVB damaging rays.

One last thing, I don't believe in water proof sunscreen for kids or adults. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 1-2 hours in blazing sun.

With good sun care you can enjoy the summer months without worry or reactions.

2 New Favorite SunScreens

Trader Joes

Sunscreen Spray

15% Zinc

$10 at Trader Joes

NO Chemicals

Great for Kids

White Can pure

Blue Can has chemicals

Brush on Block

14% Zinc

8% Titanium

Costco $34 for 2

Brush on Block

$36 to $70 20% OFF

Comes 30 and 50 SPF

Comes Sheer or Tinted

Amazon $36 - $46

LeDerm Sun Protection Best Picks

15% OFF July and August

MD SOLAR SCIENCES Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB

And

Image Prevention Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB

Medical Offices - LeDerm $34

SPF 30 Tinted

17% Zinc Oxide 2% Titanium

Enhanced with CoQ10 and Vit C

and E to help prevent photo aging,

Hypoallergenic - Noncomedogenic

Pure physical broad-spectrum

sun-screen

Enhances the DNA repair/protects

against free radical damage

Paraben Sulfate Phthalate FREE

Comes Tinted also

Great for Acne and Rosacea

Endorsed by EWG

$36

MD Beauty Balm

Light/Medium or Medium/Dark

MD 50 SPF

3.4 oz

MD Sunscreen Stick

$43

$46

$24

Prevention & Daily Matte Moisturizer SPF 30

Medical Offices - LeDerm $52

SPF 30

Zinc 9% Octinoxate 7.5%

Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB

Vitamin C & E

Non-comedogenic

Hydrating and moisturizing

Water Resistant

Paraben Free

Oil Free Non-Comedogenic

Prevention & Daily Hydrating Moisturizer SPF 30

Medical Offices - LeDerm $52

SPF 30

Key Ingredient: 17% Zinc Oxide

Pure physical broad-spectrum sun-screen

Enhances the DNA repair/protects against free radical damage

Improves Skin Hydration

Oil-soluble and stable form of vitamin C, antioxidant.

Sun Screen Scene from Netflix Series Lucifer

You may see an ad for a minute before the clip, skip it if you can.

Listen just after Candy says "You're Lucifer's mom!"

UB or Not UB; That is the Question

There are 3 kinds of Ultraviolet rays UVA, UVB, and UVC. We'll concern ourselves with the former 2. They are different in depth of skin penetration and therefore damage. Knowing the difference will keep you on alert for the best protection.

Retinoids and Sun Considerations

The benefits of using retinoids for improving skin photo-aging as well as reversing some of the abnormal skin growths are well documented. However and as usual there is a significant amount of mis-information on the web regarding it's use. Let's review the proper use of retinoids and additionally, we will give you our best recommendations for summer use.

Problem with Vitamin A for further reading

LeDerm's Guidelines for Sun Protection

17 things LeDerm recommends for Sun Protection

Natural radiant skin is in, it's the "new beauty ideal"
Use bronzing powders for that just kissed by the sun effect. But learn how to apply them for a natural look - Brow line, nose, cheeks, chin and jaw line.
Stay out of the sun from 10am-2pm
Stay away form tanning booths which emit UVA
Wear sun screen 30SPF with Zinc or Titanium with UVA and UVB protection (Broad spectrum)

Laundry UPF 30 Additive

infuses sun protection into your clothing

Sun Guard

________________________

Left Sided Skin Cancer

has the highest incidence.

Left Sided Wrinkles

Car Visor Extender

Protect the Left Side if the Face

Many of you have heard me talk about the car visor extender to protect the left (or right) side of the face from UVA damage in the car. You can get it on Amazon for $12-$14

Car Visor Protector

Link

SPF

Sun Protection Factor

Sun Protection Factor is subordinate to the ingredients in your sunscreen!

Read ingredients first

30 SPF is 98% protection and 50 SPF is 99% protection.

So anything above 50 SPF is all baloney!

Several factors must be considered for your protection...

Check your area's UV Index

UVI is a measure of the level of Ultra Violet radiation. Check the level in your area to assist you with in your sunscreen choice.

The higher the UVI, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to occur.

Vitamin D

10-15 minutes of sun 3 times a week to your arms and legs will make 5000 IU of vitamin D about the same amount that you would get from drinking 30 glasses of milk.