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
Vitamin D3 isn’t the only hormone with dozens of metabolites, endogenous melatonin also has more than a dozen identified metabolites
Counting both enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways, researchers have cataloged at least 10-15 distinct melatonin metabolites, and the list keeps growing as metabolomics improves
Just like Vitamin D, we’re talking about a complex network with storage forms, active forms, and downstream derivatives that have a powerful impact on systemic health, especially mitochondrial function and immunity
Melatonin metabolism operates on two parallel levels:
1. Sub-cellular/local form (inside mitochondria, cells, and tissues)
2. Systemic/circulatory (pineal secretion into the bloodstream, measurable in urine or plasma)
The first is made by NIR light outside during the day, while the second is made from nighttime darkness
Melatonin is a master circadian hormone that is married to the light and dark cycle, meaning circadian alignment fosters both forms while circadian disruption destroys them
More than ever, you need to abide by bright days under full spectrum sunlight and dark nights with very minimal circadian lighting
After all, don’t you want to take advantage of endogenous melatonin’s benefits
We’re talking about anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-viral, anti-neurodegenerative, anti-metabolic dysfunction, anti-oxidant, and more
Melatonin is one of the most potent and versatile antioxidants in the human body, far stronger and more strategic than most dietary antioxidants like vitamin C or E
It’s in a league of its own
It neutralizes multiple types of reactive species (ROS, RNS, RCS), not just one or two like many antioxidants. It can directly quench hydroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, nitric oxide, and more.. with no pro-oxidant rebound
Unlike vitamin C, which can flip into a pro-oxidant under certain conditions, melatonin never does
Melatonin is both water (hydrophilic) and fat (lipophilic) soluble. This grants it access to move freely through cell membranes, blood, cytosol, and mitochondria. Most antioxidants are stuck in one compartment, melatonin patrols them all
It’s one of the few antioxidants that can get into mitochondria, where most free radicals are generated. It stabilizes the inner membrane, supports electron transport, and prevents oxidative chain reactions at their source
I think the most shocking fact about it is that over 95% of your melatonin is made inside your mitochondria, not in your pineal gland, and it’s produced during the day, not just at night
Mainstream medicine still hasn’t caught up to that truth
Put some respect on endogenous melatonin