Tanning Bed Central

Tanning Salons - An Introduction

The tan has been the rage as early as the 1920s when the French fashion designer Gabrielle “ Coco � Chanel appeared at a fashion show with a golden tan which she achieved while vacationing at the French Riviera. Since then, it has become a sort of a status symbol. Today, stars like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez, and models like Gissele Bundchen have made the “bronze look� even more popular. Brazilian or Latin American beauties that graze and dominate the runway and fashion magazines have set a new aspiration for beauty—that of the perfect sun-kissed look. Now with tanning salons everywhere, this is a lot easier to achieve.

The sunless tan

It was in the 1970s when the surfer California image was popularized that tanning salons became widespread. Coppertone, the brand that was most popularly associated with tanning, adapted the tag line “tan, don't burn.� Having just the right amount of sun and not overdoing it became a concern. By 1975, tanning salons offered “indoor tanning� that gave a controlled level of tanning at a comparably shorter span of time. By the 1980s, indoor tanning salons became widespread. It became popular for its convenience and the popular belief that it is less harmful than the sun's rays.

Tanning device

Most tanning salons use a clamshell-like device that is called a tanning bed. The person lies inside the device and controlled UV radiation is emitted from the “bulbs� installed inside. The duration depends on how deep a tan is trying to be achieved and the skin type of the person wanting the tan.

UV rays

The sun emits three kinds of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. They are UVC, UVB, and UVA. Tanning Salons make use of UVA (long wave) rays. Although UVA is claimed to be less harmful than UVB (shortwave) rays that cause burning, UVA has been suspect to melanoma and immune system damage.

Tanning safe

Before hitting the salon, be aware of the precautions and possible side effects. Make sure that your tanning salon does the following:

1. Assesses your skin type and conducts a customer profile

2. Explains the tanning process and requires protective eye wear and lotion

3. Cleans the tanning beds and equipment every after each customer

4. Often changes the bulbs in the tanning beds

5.Walks you through the tanning process and makes sure you understand proper usage and procedures

It is best to choose a professional tanning salon approved by the Food and Drug Administration Board (FDA) for safety and best tanning results. You wouldn't want to have an uneven tan because of amateur service or worse, have complications as a result of incompetent tanning beds and procedures. It is still best to consult with an expert. Happy Tanning!