01/22/2026
I’ve had melanoma.
I’ve dealt with post-partum melasma.
Plus, I’m vain AF and don’t want to age like a raisin.
So trust me when I say I take sun damage very seriously.
But completely avoiding the sun isn’t the answer we’d like it to be. Like everything in life, there is nuance.
☀️ Sunlight isn’t just about skin
Early, controlled sun exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which directly affects:
• Cortisol (stress hormones)
• Melatonin (sleep quality)
• Insulin sensitivity
• Thyroid signaling
When your circadian rhythm is off, everything downstream can suffer, like skin, hormones, energy, mood, and immune function.
🧬 Vitamin D from the sun ≠ vitamin D in a pill
Sun-derived vitamin D triggers biological signaling that supplements (at this point) don’t fully replicate. Adequate levels are associated with:
• Better hormone balance
• Stronger immune response
• Reduced inflammation
• Lower risk of certain cancers (yes, including some skin cancers)
🚨 The problem isn’t the sun.
The problem is burning, chronic overexposure, and zero respect for timing or skin type.
Smart sun looks like:
• Morning or late-day exposure
• Short, intentional time outside
• Avoiding tanning beds which can increase the risk of melanoma by 3X
• Sunscreen and coverage when UV is high (always on your face, neck, and chest unless you like sunspots and wrinkles)
• Not roasting yourself “for a base tan”. You are not a rotisserie chicken.
You don’t need to fear the sun completely, but you need to understand it.
