Tanning Beds

That Common Tanning Salon Question: Are Tanning Beds Healthy?

As you probably know, the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) recently ran a full-page ad in The New York Times aiming to “dispel the myth that moderate exposure to ultra-violet radiation is deadly.”  

Because, as Sarah Longwell explained, “Our membership is fed up with being constantly demonized and maligned by the sunscreen industry and dermatologists.” 

To answer the oft asked question, "Are tanning beds healthy or harmful?" you first must acknowledge the issue.  The fact is that indoor tanning is a big business, it generates about $5 billion annually in the U.S. alone and about 1 million people pop into a tanning bed regularly.

The incidence of skin cancer is rising faster than that of any other type of cancer (according to Journal of the American Medical Association) and each year, an estimated 1 million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 60,000 cases of malignant melanoma are reported.

So, don't minimize the importance of understanding the dangers of harmful UV exposure.

Fundamental Truth

The ITA teaches that regular, moderate use of tanning beds is OK, especially if the “base tan” from a tanning bed prevent serious burning (while on vacation for example). 

One caution is added to this however. A base tan can make you think you won’t burn, but in fact, a base tan provides the sunscreen equivalent of SPF 3,” so urge your customers to wear some sunscreen and avoid spending their vacation days simply baking in the sand.

The Vitamin D Controversy

Many studies now link optimal vitamin D levels with decreased rates of bones fractures, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, and various types of cancer.

Some recommend optimizing vitamin D levels through dietary supplements only, others recommend regular (daily) but moderate exposure to the sun or a quality tanning bed.

What do you (can you) tell your tanning salon customers?

Most importantly, you cannot make the direct claim that your tanning beds will boost vitamin D levels.  We all know that a good tanning bed provides the same type of UV exposure as the sun and moderate UV exposure increases vitamin D levels, but you cannot connect the dots with your tanners, you must let them decide for themselves.  But, by all means, educate, educate, educate.

Do You Know Each Type of Tanning Bed?

Low Pressure Tanning Beds
Tanning beds that use fluorescent lamps in the 100 to 220 watt range are referred to as low-pressure beds.  Low-pressure beds generally have higher levels of UVB and high-pressure beds have higher levels of UVA.  Higher levels of UVA allow the tan to last longer and reduce the risk of UVB burning.  
   
Medium Pressure Tanning Beds
A medium pressure bed uses a higher intensity reflector lamp which increases the tanning potential while lowering the amounts of UVB rays, or "reddening" ray, to give you color that lasts longer.        
   

High Pressure Tanning Beds
A high-pressure bed uses only Quartz lamps and, as stated before, delivers more UVA than UVB.  The lower content of UVB reducing the risks of burning and subsequent "peeling" or exfoliation resulting in a tan that looks better and lasts longer.       
   
Standup Tanning Booth
A tanning booth can come with any variety of lamps or bulbs; low, medium or high-pressure.  As you know, a tanning booth completely surrounds the tanning subject as they stand and provides an even bronzing that is hard to accomplish any other way, even tanning underneath the arms and sides. 

A standup tan is more popular since it can "round out" a person's tan and is less constricting, even allowing for the tanner move about in the booth to the music of an iPod.

How are Your Bulbs?

How do you explain this to them?

Here's a simple response....  "Yes, tanning bed bulbs vary in brightness (just like regular bulbs) and special facial bulbs are even brighter. The brightness depends more on the level of bed than the length of time the bulb has been in the tanning bed." 

Which Tanning Lotion Should I Buy?

Wow, this is a common question and as much as we train salon owners about it you'd think the tan salon staff would all know exactly how to respond.  Unfortunately, this question or the response provided still leads to many puzzled looks at the counter.

Your staff needs to know that while there is no ONE simple answer for everyone, there is a way to give everyone a great response.

It all starts with a question, something like: "Well, what feature is most important to you, cost, color or skin enhancements?" 

Of course, deep down, everyone wants all the skin enhancements and the darkest tan at the lowest cost but once you find out which feature is most important then you can begin to show them their options.  Maybe they want a tanning lotion with CoQ10, does your staff know which lotions contain coQ10?  Perhaps essential oils are what they crave, which lotion has that?

Your job as the salon owner is to have a comprehensive reference for your staff to share with the tanner so the options are clear. 

If you use our brands you no doubt have this tanning lotion reference chart.

Financing Tanning Beds for Your Salon

If you need some professional guidance getting into the tanning bed business or improving the tanning bed choices at an existing salon, we can help.

We (ETS Tan) provide tanning bed financing, have a selection of used tanning beds and offer strategic services that help you optimize your profit potential.