ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Robbie Segler is the owner of Darque Tan , a chain of tanning salons with more than 90 locations in Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida and Nevada. The tanning mogul recently came under a lot of heat over a series of ads that tell viewers about how the tanning process helps the body create Vitamin D.

The ads (which can be viewed on YouTube here and here) simply state that “UVB from tanning converts cholesterol into vitamin D.” Segler and his ads make no mention of the numerous independent studies that have all found that increased Vitamin D intake decreases a person’s risk for developing cancer (Link: http://www.forbes.com/health/feeds/hscout/2007/06/08/hscout605382.html ).

And though Segler didn’t make any health claims, just the simple medical fact that tanning and UV exposure encourages Vitamin D synthesis, he has still come under fire from the Texas Department of State Health Services and other indoor tanning critics for supposedly violating the Texas Health Code.

The code states

“A tanning facility operator may not claim or distribute promotional materials that claim that using a tanning device is safe or free from risk or that using a tanning device will result in medical health benefits.”

It’s unfortunate that people are free to harp on the supposed negative effects of tanning, but the moment anyone attempts to discuss the possible positive benefits of tanning, they’re immediately shut down. As a result, Segler is launching a battle that could either see a change in Texas Health Code or a possible shut down of his business. Either way, it’s big news for the tanning industry.