ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Membership has its privileges.

Or so says the famous slogan. The question though is how to show the value of membership in your tanning salon to help you grow business and sales. And it's not as bad or difficult as it seems.

A tanning salon without members is like a Web site without visitors, a stadium without people, or a meatloaf without the meat: pointless. And having just a few dozen members, while nice, just won't do. To improve membership, you need to increase exposure, and do some work. It can be done without spending a lot of money on advertising or marketing. All it takes is some creativity and having a solid plan.

For the next three blog posts, we'll give you some ideas on increasing the value of your membership, including Getting Them to Join, Getting Them to Move Up, and Improving the Value of Salon Membership.

Getting Them to Join

Owning a tanning salon is no different than a country club, buying club, or movie theater. If you are going to give people a value, you need to offer them an incentive to join. Take some of your services and bundle a few of them. Sell this bundle to your customers as the membership so it becomes even more valuable.

For example, if you normally charge $7 for a single tanning session, and the customer only visits once a month, offer a membership of $20 per month for unlimited visits on Level 1 tanning beds. The client is now free to visit whenever they want. Not only are they getting an increased value for their membership (which comes in the savings after they visit that third time), they're going to keep coming back because they've paid for it. This gets them into the habit of coming, and continuing their membership, which increases cash flow. (Of course, this also means they're using more tanning lotion, which you'll also sell them.)

The benefit to you is that $20 per month will nearly triple your cash flow for that once-a-month tanner, and you'll turn a sometimes-tanner into a regular. The benefit to the customer is that they start seeing the extra benefits of tanning.

But don't just increase tanning frequency and call it a package. Create some more value. Add discounts on a couple items like a 10% discount on tanning lotion and teeth whitening. Give away a Free Friday upgrade per month to the next level bed, or a Free Friday pass for friends and family.

Now, instead of just getting extra tans, they're getting additional value, and the membership makes a lot more sense. The customer sees he or she will get all kinds of great benefits and will sign up to be a member, because for just three times their original amount ($7), they're getting more than three times the value.

Next time, we'll talk about how to move members up from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 3 by increasing the value of each membership level.

First Texas, now Arkansas.

Arkansas, like Texas, is one of more than a dozen states considering such bills. Texas also has bills that go a step further and require a doctor's note.

Currently, Texas is seeking approval on House Bill (HB) 1310, which restricts teens younger than 18 from using indoor tanning equipment.

While the politicians of Texas are pondering that law, Arkansas lawmakers are also working to restrict teen tanning. Governor Mike Beebe says he plans to sign a bill requiring salon owners to get waivers signed by parents for clients under 18.

Representative Bruce Maloch sponsored Arkansas' tanning bill, he says, as a way to raise awareness about the possible harmful affects.

For now Arkansas teens can walk into any salon and tan, provided they have their parents sign a waver before getting into a tanning bed.

The waiver will have warnings about the possible dangers of repeated exposure to indoor tanning. And Arkansas lawmakers are trying to raise awareness about tanning safety.

The bill, HB1920 is still waiting on Governor Beebe's signature. The bill applies to tanning salons, apartments and gyms any businesses offering the service. There is no penalty or enforcement for the requirement.

And like the bill in Texas, this bill is getting a strong reaction from both sides – the ones trying to enforce the law and the ones who oppose it: the teens and, not surprisingly, the tanning salon owners, who have said they alert all teens of the potential dangers of overexposure.

Persuading teens to stop tanning could be a hard sell as many are concerned about physical appearances at that age. Another factor is a teenager's quest for independence at that age. A law like this will take away that freedom, something teens value as they assert themselves in the world.

Texas legislators seem to be ignoring the fact that they're already well-known for outdoor tanning on their beaches. They're ignoring the most popular tanning method in favor of curtailing the business practices of local business owners.

Other states considering similar measures include Florida and Hawaii, two other very popular outdoor tanning locales.

To learn more about legislation in your state, contact your local government or visit the Indoor Tanning Association Web site .

Salon owners, are you educating your customers on the importance of a good moisturizer as a part of their tanning regimen?

Like tanning lotion, moisturizing lotion is an important part of the indoor tanning process.

It's important because the UV lights can dry out your skin. Moisturizing preserves and extends tanning results, enhances the appearance of an existing tan, and moisturizes the skin so it looks and feels better. Moisturizing makes the skin soft, smooth, healthier-looking, helps prevent peeling and flaking, and won't clog pores.

Even after the tanning bed shuts off, the tanning process is still going on. That means it's vital your customers keep their skin moisturized during and after this process. A good moisturizing lotion like Australian Gold's Moisture Lock Tan Extender .

Finally, it's easier to tan moist skin. That's because dry skin, as it turns white from the dryness, will actually reflect some of the UV rays. On the other hand, moist skin will absorb those rays, making them tan easier.

Customers should use moisturizing lotion to get that better tan and to make it last longer. Skin dries out and exfoliates and the more you moisturize the healthier your skin becomes and you don't lose your tan.

For salon owners, the message to relate to your customers is to moisturize the skin one way or another to help protect the skin and to enhance the tan. It's good to ask your customer how important their skin is and once they answer, then you can make the recommendations.

This also becomes an extra revenue stream for you, because you'll recommend your products, which will benefit them.

By having a customer talk to a professional, the tanning pro can recommend the best type of moisturizer to use. There are several, varying lines and they represent different prices and ingredients.

Whether you have your own personal tanning bed or you run a chain of tanning salons, one of your primary concerns is going to be the cleanliness of your machine(s). A clean tanning bed is more than just germ free, it'll last longer too.

When an indoor tanning bed gets dirty, that grime can become fungus. Not only can this fungus spread to other users, it can affect the operation and functionality of the bed. Good tanning bed cleaners won't just keep your beds disinfected, they'll improve their tanning power by as much as 20-40%.

When To Use Tanning Bed Cleaners

Salon staff should clean tanning bed acrylics after every use. The outside of the beds and handles should also be sanitized. Remember, users touch more than just the acrylics.

In addition to regular cleaning after every use, a commercial tanning bed should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out at least once a week . This will help maintain the appearance of the unit and its performance.

Popular Tanning Bed Cleaners

Ultra-Clean Tanning Bed Cleaner: Ultra-Clean comes in citrus and unscented. To avoid overwhelming your users with a citrusy scent, we recommend the unscented version. It's EPA registered in all states and acts as a cleaner, polisher, deodorizer and sanitizer.

Australian Gold Tanning Bed Cleaner: Australian Gold's tanning bed cleaner is a one-step cleaner with no fuss and no mess. There's no leftover film and no need to rinse. It's a disinfectant with a neutral pH AND it acts as a sanitizer, deodorizer, virucide and fungicide. This is one of the best cleaners out there.

Lucasol Tanning Bed Cleaner: Lucasol is another one-step brand of deodorizing disinfectant. It's hospital-grade and free from any dyes or scents.

Novus Tanning Bed Cleaner: This disinfectant is part sanitizer and part polish. It leaves behind a protective sheen that repels dust and minimizes static. Some users complain that the film is too obvious and a tad sticky. I'd recommend trying a sample before you invest in a full order of this product.

How Clean Are Your Indoor Tanning Beds?

You may require your staff to clean them after every use, but just how clean are your tanning beds? Are they meeting the highest standards for cleanliness? Are you changing your acrylics regularly based on usage?

Acrylics gradually degrade and limit the amount of UV light that will pass through to the tanner! Be sure to check with your manufacturer as to the expected life of your acrylics so you know when to change them.

Remember, if you're noticing that the tanning beds in your tanning salons maybe aren't up to the highest standards, your customers are definitely noticing. Require your staff to not only clean the beds after every use, but to always do a double check before sending a client into a room.
 

It's a common myth by the tanning nay-sayers that the government has said tanning is bad.

The truth is indoor tanning is rigorously monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the organization responsible for monitoring food and drug safety, and the Federal Trade Commission, the organization responsible for consumer protection and responsible business practices. The FDA makes sure our equipment is safe, and the FTC makes sure we can back up our claims, and don't make false promises.

In 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Tanning Accountability and Notification Act (TAN), which requires the FDA to reevaluate warning labels on tanning beds, and to find ways of educating consumers about responsible use of tanning beds.

While common misconceptions about indoor tanning abound, the truth is that medical experts have been finding alarming links between vitamin D deficiencies and all sorts of health problems: breast cancer, colon cancer, Alzheimer's disease, teen obesity, just to name a few.

At the end of 2008, the FDA released its findings regarding the the text and placement of warning labels on tanning beds. They said there was sufficient information on the labels that were communicated to the public:

Based on its analysis of the results of the consumer study required by section 230 of FDAAA, FDA has determined that there are warnings that are capable of adequately communicating the risks of indoor tanning, and that a modified warning statement label may more effectively convey these risks than the current labeling requirements. FDA has also determined that changes to the positioning requirements for the warning statement label may communicate such risks more effectively.

The importance of vitamin D for a healthy body is well known, but health experts have been in the news raising a hue and cry about a vitamin D deficiency crisis in this country .

Apparently we're just not getting enough vitamin D in our bodies, and many people are wondering if the warnings of staying out of the sun and tanning booths are starting to swing this health pendulum too far the other way.

One of the most vital roles of vitamin D is to boost the absorption of calcium into the bones. Vitamin D also helps to keep teeth and gums healthy, especially in older adults.

The latest vitamin D study comes to us through the combined efforts of the Peninsula Medical School, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Michigan. They have shown that vitamin D may also help maintain cognitive skills. While not comprehensive, the study was based on information collected from almost 2,000 adults aged 65 and over who participated in a large health survey in England. The data shows that as vitamin D levels decreased, cognitive impairment increased.

Of the cognitive impairment diseases, Alzheimer's is the most common form. It is an incurable, degenerative and terminal disease that was first discovered by German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. It is usually found in people 65 and older, although it can sometimes occur earlier.

According to the study, a contributing factor to injuries in Alzheimer's patients could be a lack of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for the strength and development of bones, but since many Alzheimer's patients are homebound or lacking mobility, they are frequently lacking sunlight.

People with Alzheimer's also have an increased risk of hip and other bone fractures as a result. As Alzheimer's disease is more prevalent in older populations, the ability of skin to convert vitamin D to its active form decreases with age, contributing to increased risk. One study of women with Alzheimer's done by the Medical College of Wisconsin found that decreased bone mineral density was associated with a low intake of vitamin D and inadequate sunlight exposure.

There was also evidence linking a lack of vitamin D to Parkinson's Disease, another disease associated with the aged, but there is still much study and testing to do to determine whether low vitamin D levels are linked to cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's.

Older adults should boost their vitamin D intake to help reduce chronic pain and strengthen their teeth and bones; younger adults should also boost their vitamin D intake to help reduce the risk of weakened bones, bone fractures, cognitive impairment, and even some forms of cancer.

Experts recommend that we get about 15 minutes of sun per day, or barring that, spending time in an indoor tanning bed.

All of this raises the question of whether tanning beds can offer the same health benefits as sunshine. The best source of Vitamin D is the sun, however tanning beds provide a good source of Vitamin D. Tanning beds are installed with bulbs that emit mostly UVA (long-wave) rays, said to be less harmful than UVB (short-wave) rays. Thus, a tanning bed gives customers the same emission as the sun, but at a more controlled level and shorter time.

Tanning beds, while not as powerful nor more popular than sunlight, still provides beneficial results in a safer environment, especially when the weather is too cold to be out in the sun.

In the tanning bed business, there has been almost nothing as polarizing, nothing getting as much news attention, or generating as much controversy, as vitamin D. Some experts say we shouldn't be out in the sun. But other medical experts are now saying a vitamin D deficiency is being linked to teenage obesity, increased chronic pain, seasonal affective disorder, breast cancer, and many other ailments.

We're told that a vitamin D deficiency could result in rickets and other disorders that could impair proper growth and development and lead to liver or kidney disorders.

According to a recent MSNBC article, the vitamin D craze has been building over the last few years, with low levels of the nutrient being blamed as a source of many of our ills . Depression and chronic pain are said to be diminished with vitamin D. Vitamin D can also help prevent many diseases such as kidney disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, or even the common cold.

The best source for vitamin D is adequate sunshine or UV-B rays . But other sources like fish (tuna and sardines), milk, and egg yolks are enriched with vitamin D. However not everyone enjoys or eats these products. Therefore, sunshine, which doesn't have a taste, is the way most people get their vitamin D requirement.

Unfortunately for many people, getting adequate doses of sunshine is difficult, especially when they work indoors throughout the day or spend four or five months indoors because of cold weather. For several, an alternative way of getting their vitamin D fix is through indoor tanning, which can be beneficial. An advantage indoor tanners have is access to control and comfort, something that can't be done outdoors where we're at the mercy of the elements and other factors. Since indoor tanning has become more popular, national guidelines and regulations have been put in place by the Federal government.

The MSNBC article also discusses vitamin D and indoor tanning, which, like vitamin D, has had a polarizing effect on researchers, doctors and scientists to its actual benefit or harm. MSNBC noted the news that Ultraviolet light was a source of vitamin D was good to the indoor tanning industry, long maligned by doctors who have linked it to the rising rates of melanoma skin cancer.

"UV is a proven carcinogen," said Dr. Barbara Gilchrest, chair-emeritus of the department of dermatology at Boston University Medical School. "The wavelengths of light that damage DNA and cause cancers are exactly the same ones that produce vitamin D in the skin."

Still, others are skeptical that UV light alone is the cause, especially when emitted from a tanning bed.

The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) launched an aggressive nationwide campaign encouraging the public to rethink sun-tanning and criticizing dermatologists, doctors and the sunscreen and cosmetics industries for scaring people.

It's a never-ending argument. The fact remains that both indoor and outdoor tanning can be beneficial as long as tanners take care while tanning. But unlike outdoor tanning, indoor tanning can be done any time of day or year, can save time, and be done in short, controlled blocks of time.