The topic most requested: Why I don't keep a tan year round (and a deeper conversation on haplotype)

Most of us think of a tan as a cosmetic thing. But your skin color is far more than pigment - it’s a circadian and quantum biology tool, shaped by the latitude where your ancestors evolved.

Here’s the reality: not all haplotypes are designed for a permanent tan.

When I was deep in my fertility journey, I discovered my mitochondrial haplotype is H2 - meaning my mother’s mitochondria came from far northern latitudes, built to thrive in colder, darker conditions.

You can find your haplotype through raw data from DNA companies like 23andMe (what I used before I knew they’d sell info), or by digging into your maternal family line since haplotypes pass down from your mother’s mitochondria.

Keep reading for the article!​

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Your haplotype determines how your skin is meant to shift with the seasons, and in northern haplotypes, forcing a permanent tan can backfire on hormones, vitamin D, and mitochondrial repair.

I’ll be covering the implications for equatorial haplotypes in an upcoming article, because not everyone has the luxury of moving back to where their mitochondria evolved - AND understanding this mismatch is critical for modern health.

Stay subscribed so you don’t miss part two.

Your haplotype is a genetic signature passed down through your mother’s mitochondria, and it reflects the latitude and environment where your maternal line evolved + how your mitochondria handle energy.

• Northern haplotypes (like H2): These lineages evolved in cold, low-UV environments with long winters and short summers. Their mitochondria tend to be more uncoupled - meaning they waste some calories as heat to stay warm and resilient in cold, dark conditions. Their skin tans in summer for UV protection, but lightens in winter to maximize scarce UVB and vitamin D production.
• Equatorial haplotypes: These evolved under steady, year-round UV and warmth. Their mitochondria tend to stay more tightly coupled - maximizing ATP efficiency rather than burning off excess as heat. Darker, stable melanin provided constant DNA protection under high sun, and there was no seasonal pressure to lighten.

The catch is that most of us today don’t live in the exact light environment our mitochondria adapted to, and that's where mismatch and problems begin.

Melanin (what makes up a tan) isn’t just pigment. It’s a bioelectric and multifunctional molecule that links light, detox, and brain health.

• Photon buffer: Melanin absorbs and redistributes photons, buffering UV stress and reducing DNA damage.
• Electron donor: It may transform light into usable electrons, supporting mitochondrial charge and redox balance.
• Hormone signaling: Melanin interacts with dopamine and endorphins, which is why we feel euphoric in summer with a tan -mood lifts, appetite stabilizes, energy improves.

Melanin can also works as a natural detoxifier:

• It has been shown to bind (chelate) toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.
• In the brain, neuromelanin acts as a reservoir, binding metals and buffering oxidative stress in dopamine-rich areas like the substantia nigra — part of its potential neuroprotective role.
• When disrupted, this binding process has been implicated in neurodegenerative conditions.

For northern haplotypes, this melanin system is designed to pulse with the seasons:

• In summer, melanin rises to protect DNA, boost mood, and enhance detox capacity while mitochondria run more uncoupled in the warmth.
• In winter, melanin lightens so scarcer UVB can penetrate for vitamin D, while mitochondria lean more heavily on infrared & cold-driven uncoupling and melatonin for repair and immune strength.
• But here’s the nuance: melanin isn’t gone in winter - it may be redistributed inward under times of stress, illness, or immune dysfunction.
• This “pull back” suggests melanin has a deeper role beyond skin tone: it can be mobilized to protect vital tissues, manage oxidative stress, and support immune balance when light is scarce.

The takeaway: A tan isn’t just cosmetic - it’s a living detox and neuroprotective system that evolved to work seasonally.

References

1. d’Ischia, M., et al. Melanin as a versatile biopolymer: Photoprotection, radical scavenging, redox behavior and bioelectronics. Antioxidants. 2022; 11(5): 896.

2. Zucca, F. A., et al. Neuromelanin of the human substantia nigra: An update. Neurotox Res. 2014; 25(1): 13–23.

3. Sulzer, D., et al. Neuromelanin biosynthesis and function in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 2000; 1: 73–80.

4. Zhang, J., et al. Neuromelanin, iron and Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019; 13: 119.

5. Sun, C., et al. Adsorption of heavy metal ions by natural melanin pigments from Sepia ink sacs. Marine Drugs. 2020; 18(10): 508.

6. Lambert, N., et al. Quantum biology. Nature Physics. 2013; 9: 10–18.

For northern haplotypes - getting a tan in the summer isn’t just about appearance - it’s a circadian and mitochondrial tool.

Skin pigmentation is supposed to rise and fall with the seasons, and forcing a permanent tan can keep the body “stuck in summer mode,” disrupting hormone repair, vitamin D cycles, and melanin’s protective rhythm. Let's break this down further (as I know this goes against some of the "everyone should move to the equator & live in the sun year round" rhetoric). ⬇️

1. Circannual Hormone Signals

Skin lightening in winter helps align the body with the shorter photoperiod. Forcing constant melanin sends the wrong cues - essentially telling your thyroid, cortisol, and reproductive hormones that it’s still “summer,” creating circadian mismatch.

2. Skin Repair Cycles

Winter is built-in repair season. Your skin needs time to reduce melanin, repair DNA, and reset vitamin (A & D) balance. Holding on to summer pigment can disrupt this reset.

3. The Vitamin D Paradox

More melanin = less UVB reaching the skin. In summer, that’s protective. In winter, when UVB is already scarce, darkened skin makes it nearly impossible to generate enough vitamin D (and truly I question the mainstream narrative around Vitamin D in the winter ⬇️).

4. Melatonin Season

Beyond the mainstream view of VItamin D (more on that in future articles).......I really do question recommended levels of vitamin D to be maintained in winter (60 and above).

Winter isn’t just about lacking vitamin D - it’s about the presence of melatonin. Longer nights & less UV (more red and infrared) mean higher melatonin output, which:

• Acts as a potent mitochondrial antioxidant
• Drives immune balance and DNA repair
• Can even bind to the vitamin D receptor, substituting for some of its functions when UV is scarce

This means northern haplotypes evolved to lean on melatonin in winter as a repair strategy - not to force vitamin D levels through a permanent tan or supplements.

5. Mitochondria & Immunity

In the cold season, mitochondria naturally shift toward uncoupling - burning calories as heat, boosting repair signals, and supporting immunity. Locking the system into “permanent summer” mode desynchronizes these cycles, increases oxidative stress, and may weaken immune defenses.

6. Melanin Redistribution

For those who built it in the summer - melanin isn’t 100% gone in winter, but it may be redistributed inward under times of stress, illness, or immune challenge. This allows melanin to act as a detox and neuroprotective molecule, binding heavy metals and buffering oxidative stress in vital tissues.

​Zucca FA, et al. Neuromelanin of the substantia nigra: A neuronal black hole with protective and toxic characteristics. Trends Neurosci. 2017.

Seasonal hormone rhythms:

• Summer = vitamin D season, melanin rise, dopamine boost, circadian “go” signals.
• Winter = melatonin season, repair, uncoupling, immune resilience.

Forcing a tan year-round can potentially collapse this cycle. You miss the melatonin-driven repair of winter, blunt vitamin D production when it’s most needed, and disrupt the detox and neuroprotective rhythm of melanin itself.

Now this doesn't mean you should skip your tropical winter vacation - this is more speaking to people who feel they should find ways of maintaining their tan artificially (more on that in coming weeks).

Here is how to support that seasonal reset:

• Catch morning light. Even low UV helps reset your circadian clocks and metabolism. (download MyCircadianApp to understand the best times to go outside in the morning)

• Protect melatonin. Dark nights and avoiding blue light are essential. Melatonin can even act on the vitamin D receptor when UV is scarce.

• Use red and infrared light. These frequencies restore balance when UV is low and support mitochondrial repair (click here for my product guide with favorite red light panels)​

• Eat vitamin D-rich foods such as cod liver oil, fatty fish, pastured dairy, and egg yolks.

• Respect circannual cycles and get cold!

Bottom line: Fall and winter are not seasons to fear. They are built-in repair cycles designed to recharge your mitochondria, sync your hormones, and build resilience for the year ahead.

Grab my Quantum Nutrition Course (click here) which teaches you how to sync your lifestyle and diet to each season year round (includes: Autumn Alchemy - with fall food list & fall recipies).

Let's talk a little more about cold: (and YES - this can simply be going outside in the morning with less clothes on for periods of time)

Cold exposure is not just about building toughness. It actively changes how your body handles light, melanin, and energy.

When mitochondria are under cold stress, they release biophotons. These light particles may act as internal signals, supporting vitamin D metabolism and mimicking some of the cues usually provided by sunlight.

Cold also redistributes melanin. Instead of holding pigment at the skin surface, melanin can be pulled inward, where it helps protect organs, supports detox pathways, and drives immune repair when UV is scarce.

On top of this, cold exposure increases mitochondrial efficiency, strengthens circadian signaling, and enhances immune resilience.

Bottom line: Winter is not just the absence of sun & UVB. Cold itself is a seasonal tool that your mitochondria use to balance energy, light, and immunity.

Citations:

Cold exposure and mitochondrial signaling

• ​Chouchani, E. T., et al. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and the thermogenic program in brown adipose tissue. Nature. 2016; 532(7597): 112–116.
• ​Cadenas, S. Mitochondrial uncoupling, ROS generation and aging. Front Biosci. 2018; 23: 1115–1134.

Biophotons and mitochondrial light emission

• ​Kobayashi, M., et al. Biophoton emission from human body. Indian J Exp Biol. 2009; 47(5): 345–354.
• ​Popp, F.A. About the coherence of biophotons. Macroscopic Quantum Coherence. World Scientific. 1998.

Cold stress and circadian/immune effects

• ​Shephard, R. J., & Shek, P. N. Cold exposure and immune function. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1998; 76(9): 828–836.

There is SO MUCH more I could write about this, and there is also a lot of nuance for each person as well.

I promise to continue the conversation, and add more on why I don't recommend tanning beds in winter; information for people who live in a tropical climate year round, information for equatorial haplotypes living out of their native environment & more!

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Last week's podcast - Cold + Flu Season Is Coming… This Surprising Molecule Can Help Protect You​

​New Article: Same Sun & Skin Type - Different Vitamin D?​

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