When someone claims that a tan is a sign of skin or DNA damage, remind them that this entire narrative has its roots in eugenics and scientific racism, not objective circadian biology The early dermatology and photobiology frameworks that demonized tanning were developed during an era when darker skin tones were pathologized, not understood “Sun damage” became a term that conveniently upheld the pseudoscientific belief that pale skin was biologically superior, a view promoted by eugenicists who associated light skin with purity and intelligence So, when they parrot the idea that melanin production equals damage, ask them why they’re defending a framework built on racist pseudoscience rather than updated circadian photobiology Melanin is NOT a damage response It’s an adaptive and photoprotective system that presents the following benefits: 1. Powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and maintains redox balance 2. Natural anti-venom that binds and neutralizes toxic compounds, including heavy metals 3. Anti-tumor agent that suppresses abnormal cell proliferation through redox and immune modulation 4. Biological nnEMF shield that dissipates excess electromagnetic stress at the cellular level 5. Detoxifying polymer that chelates and eliminates environmental toxins and heavy metals 6. Photoprotective barrier which is nature’s built-in sunscreen that adapts to UV exposure from full spectrum sunlight 7. Lipid peroxidation defender that prevents oxidative damage to cellular membranes and fats 8. Broad spectrum anti-viral that inhibits viral replication via photochemical and immune pathways 9. Anti-microbial shield that resists bacterial and fungal invasion through oxidative control 10. Neuroprotective agent that safeguards neurons from oxidative and excitotoxic stress And so much more God and nature infused those benefits into melanin by design. A tan is your body training under full spectrum sunlight It’s an adaptation. That’s why it’s found throughout the entire natural world, especially in human beings, through three forms (neuromelanin, eumelanin, pheomelanin) I’ll tie your mainstream dermatologist into a Gordian knot by forcing the question they won’t want to answer Whose interests does this “damage” narrative actually serve? I’ll tell you this It doesn’t fucking serve the people