Posts Tagged ‘salon’

How Frequently To Use Tanning Lamps

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Tanning beds are a great way to get that tan no matter what mother nature is doing. Whether it’s the middle of a winter snow storm, raining cats and dogs, or the wind is howling with a Tanning bed you can be sure to maintain your tan and look great. But how frequently should you use Tanning lamps?

One of the most commonly asked questions is how often it’s safe to use Tanning lamps and whether all beds are the same. It’s great to see tanners becoming more aware of the safety of Tanning both naturally and in Tanning beds. It’s about time we took an active role in our skin health.

With all the information provided on the television and on the internet you might be surprised to discover we aren’t nearly as educated about the safety of Tanning beds as you might think. People are still unsure about how many sessions a week are safe and how long those sessions should be and with so many different lamps on the market it can get really confusing. Good news – you’re about to get your Tanning bed lesson in just a few minutes of reading.

The most important thing to know is just as not all cars are created equal nor are all Tanning bed lamps. Just as there are cars that are great for new drivers and cars that are meant for the race track, there are also beds that are designed for beginners and beds that are designed for pros. Choose the right bed for your Tanning expertise and the level of tan you currently have.

When booking your appointment at the salon book the appropriate level of bed. If you’re unsure then visit the salon for a consultation with the attendant and they’ll get you set up with the correct lamps.

Now not only do different beds produced different levels of UV rays, even the same bed can produce different levels depending on the lamps. The effectiveness of the lamps depends on a variety of things including the number of hours on the bulb, maintenance, the oils used, and the length of the session.

Tanning lamps produce the highest UV rays when they are new. When they are half used up they put out only 50% of the Tanning rays they did when they were new. It continues to decline from there on.

So if you are attending a salon that likes to cut costs one of the first places to do that is no changing the bulbs at the proper intervals. Another way to cut costs is use inferior bulbs which transmit lower levels of Tanning rays. This means you aren’t getting what you paid for. Ask the salon about their lamp replacement policy.

You will also not get the full benefit of the Tanning bed if the acrylic covers are not properly cleaned. Salons wipe the exterior down after each use, well at least the good salons do. But dust and debris builds under the cover and they should be completely stripped down once a week.

A close inspection of the bed and the cover will reveal if it has a collection of dust bunnies. This means the salon doesn’t follow that procedure. Dust filters out the Tanning rays that you are paying to get so make sure the bed you are using can provide.

How long your Tanning session is will depend on the bed, your skin type, and the lamps. The attendant should tell you how long your Tanning session should be based on all the factors.

Normally you will visit 2 to 4 times a week, depending on the bed you are using. Some of the real high end beds require only need one session per week to maintain your tan.

Before you start your Tanning regime visit the salon. Speak with the attendant in charge of the Tanning area. Find out which bed is for you, how much time you will need to obtain the tan you want, and also take a tour of the salon and their beds to ensure it meets with your standards for cleanliness.

Now wasn’t that easy? Tanning lamps really aren’t the big mystery we think they are. Use common sense and play it safe.

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Sunset Tan in LA TIMES

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Today LA TIMES published an article about LA’s ‘gloomy’ summer and temperatures less than normal. Check out this excerpt below from the LA TIMES:

The gloomier summer hasn’t hurt Tanning salon operators such as L.A. Sunset Tan. For some customers, getting their tan from a machine was more practical than waiting for a sunny day at the beach, said Nick D’Anna, manager of the West Hollywood salon.

“When you don’t have pristine L.A. conditions, with the gloom or rain, people are more aware of what they look like,” D’Anna said. “When it rains or it’s gloomy in L.A., that’s when you see a lot of people snap out of their Tanning coma.”

Tanning Salon’s On the Rise – Are they as safe as they claim?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

This article from The Skin Cancer Foundation is very informative. Tanning salon’s are popping up everywhere. They claim to be safer than sunbathing. Medical professionals are not in agreement. Another reason Sunless Tanning is the way to go. Get that healthy tan without the damaging effects of UV rays. www.sunlessbeauty.com

The Case Against Indoor Tanning

The Case Against Indoor <a href=Tanning” height=”413″ />Indoor Tanning is big business, with Tanning trade publications reporting this as a $2 billion-a-year industry in the United States. According to industry estimates, 28 million Americans are Tanning indoors annually at about 25,000 Tanning salons around the country. In fact, a recent study of more than 10,000 teens across the US found that Tanning bed use was increasing, especially among adolescent girls.

This does not bode well for the health of the nation. In 1994, a Swedish study found that women 18-30 years old who visited Tanning parlors 10 times or more a year had seven times greater incidence of melanoma than women who did not use Tanning salons. In another study, people exposed to 10 full-body Tanning salon sessions had a significant increase in skin repair proteins typically associated with sun damage, indicating that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from indoor Tanning is as dangerous as UV from the sun. And in 2002, a study from Dartmouth Medical School found that Tanning device users had 2.5 times the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times the risk of basal cell carcinoma . And yet, even with all this evidence, the Tanning salons remain unrepentant.

The Tanning industry relies on two misleading arguments: first, that since melanoma is mainly caused by sunburn, “controlled” Tanning helps prevent melanoma by building up the protective pigment melanin; second, that UV exposure makes the skin produce vitamin D, which helps prevent breast, prostate and colon cancer, as well as other diseases.

Medical experts refute these arguments. They point out that our diet (especially vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products and salmon) generally provides all the vitamin D we need. Furthermore, Tanning to increase melanin is counterproductive. Tanning, like burning, causes genetic damage to skin cells. “You can’t protect the skin by damaging it,” said James M. Spencer, MD, director of dermatologic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “Tanning not only increases the risk for melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, but accelerates skin aging.”

There have been several attempts made to regulate the industry, by physician groups as well as state and national congresspeople and the World Health Organization, with limited success. The FDA is weighing stricter controls over Tanning devices, but has not yet instituted any changes. The Tanning industry has fought all of these measures. “Tanning manufacturers and salon owners keep lobbying the FDA and state agencies to soften regulations, claiming that Tanning is healthful,” said Dr. Spenser.

Unfortunately, even when regulation has occurred, it hasn’t solved the problems. “Regulation can’t make Tanning safe,” declared Michael Franzblau, MD, clinical professor of dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco. “Banning salons is the only answer.”

He should know, because he was instrumental in the passage of legislation regulating Tanning facilities in California. The law, passed in 1988, unfortunately had no mechanism for registration of Tanning parlors or collection of fees from owners. “Hence, there is no enforcement,” notes Dr. Franzblau.

Some states require salons to provide UV-protective eyewear or have machine operators remain present throughout a client’s session. Others require a sign on the booth warning people who always sunburn that Tanning puts them at high risk for skin damage. Whatever the regulations, says Dr. Franzblau, there’s no assurance they will be complied with. ”I’ve taken teams of scientists into salons where not one requirement was being followed.” Other studies have shown that Tanning salons frequently exceed “safe” UV limits. The average salon patron in North Carolina was recently found to exceed FDA limits by 95 percent.

Is banning salons outright the only answer? Dr. Franzblau believes that eliminating Tanning salons “would be 100 percent more effective” than regulating them. And it could save millions of lives.

The Alternative To Sun Tanning is A Spray Tan

Friday, November 27th, 2009

ForeverSunnieWith more and more of us understanding the serious consequences of sunTanning, we are looking for alternatives. One of the most interesting and improved alternatives is to get a Spray Tan.

Do any of you remember the first self tanners that hit the shelves many years ago – wella you became instant orange. Well we’ve come along way babe! The hottest thing to hit the beauty seen is “Spray Tanning.” You really need to check out what’s available these days!

Spray Tan in a can is the latest in sunless Tanning technology. Forget lotions or pump sprays that leave uneven tones. Although lotions have come along way from the carrot orange days, some can still leave you with orange under tones. Aerosol Tanning sprays can leave you with a perfect looking, no hassle, even tan. Spray Tan in a can is the safest, easiest way to get a perfect sunless tan at home! No more harmful UV rays or trips to the Tanning bed.

You will want to find a reputable shop. Ask around, word of mouth is always a good way to find out what salon does the best Spray Tanning. Once you’ve chosen a salon book your appointment. If your planning to have a Spray Tan for a special event, say like your wedding, then I would suggest a trial run about a month prior. If you like the results you can book again, if you don’t then I suggest trying another salon.

On the day of your appointment shower and exfoliate. Use a loofah and shower gel and body scrub to remove all your dry/dead skin. This will ensure an even application.

At the salon they will give you instructions, often these instructions are in the form of the video. The whole procedure and what you need to do will be explained to you.. Some important things to remember: 1. hold your breath when the spray is going off (for about 14 seconds and its very challenging)

2. follow the instructions “exactly” as to where to apply the lotion to block the spray on your feet and hands. You need to block the spray from your hands and feet because these areas have excess wrinkles and creases, so if they are sprayed you will get a tell-tale white veiny looking areas in the creases.

3. when the spray stops you need to turn around

4. when you leave the spray booth you will be given towels to wipe down and remove any excess spray. Make sure you wipe not blot.

The color from your Spray Tan will last anywhere from 7-10 days. The treatments are still a bit on the pricey side at around $40.00 a treatment, so this isn’t something you get done on a regular basis, more like a treat or for a special occasion. Some companies sell packages that give you a reduced rate.

It is important to apply plenty of moisturizer on a regular basis to the extent the life of your Spray on Sun Tan. If you have very dry skin use a deep moisturizer. Blend any moisturizer into the skin and do not wipe it off as this will remove some of your Spray Tan. Baths, spas and swimming in chlorinated pools will reduce the life of your tan.

Tips for Spray Tanning… 1. All the Spray Tanning in the world will do you no good if it attaches itself to dead skin that is about to come off your body so be sure to Exfoliate! Use a loofah sponge in the bath the night before you Spray Tan session to remove these dead skin cells.

2. Choose your clothes carefully. Pick clothes that cover all the parts of your body you won’t be Tanning. Select tight fitting clothes so that the tan spray cannot go under your sleeves. Choose dark colored clothes, since Spray Tanners will stain clothing.

3. Follow the instructions! Provided by the Salon. Self-Tanning booths typically have a handout, so read up, and make sure you know what to do!

4. For 30-60 seconds after a self-Tanning booth application you need to Stand still. This will ensure that your tan dries evenly. Although it does take longer than 30 seconds for your Spray Tan to dry completely, the first minute or more is when you run a real risk of rubbing off the self-tanner before it has a chance to work.

5. After your Spray Tan application you will need to Blot your skin with a towel to catch any drips. 6. Because your feet normally get less sun than the rest of you, your feet are paler and may get dark faster, so it is important to Protect your feet. If you are spraying yourself, go lightly on the feet. If you are using a salon use the paper booties that are provided to protect your feet. You can later apply a self tanner to your feet to give them the appropriate amount of color.

If you’ve got a special event coming up, perhaps a wedding, prom, or a re-union, Spray Tanning might be something you’ll want to try. When done correctly it results in a very natural looking tan adding summer color to your pale winter skin.