ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Not everyone can enjoy the benefits of indoor tanning. People who have an exceptionally fair skin type, are pregnant, have a photosensitivity to light, or are currently taking medications that may cause photosensitivity, then tanning may not be for them.

As a tanning salon owner, you need to check with your customers to see if they fall into any of the following categories. This can help you avoid angry customers, or worse, legal trouble.

People With a Type 1/Fair Skin Type

According to the FDA, you should not try indoor tanning if "you sunburn easily and do not tan. Skin that does not tan in the sun will probably not tan under a sunlamp." (link: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/tanning/tanningproducts.html). These are usually redheads and people who freckle in the sun. However, it's important to remember that because you can control the length of exposure with a tanning bed, tanning for fair-skinned individuals may be possible by starting off slow and gradually increasing exposure time with each visit. Again though, if you have concerns, please consult your physician.
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People with Photosensitivities

Some people are allergic to sunlight and UV rays, this is called photosensitivity and prolonged exposure typically causes a rash. Obviously, these people should avoid indoor tanning.

People Taking Medications Causing Photosensitivity, Photophobia or Phototoxicity

Various medications, topical products and injections can cause photosensitivities such as photoallergies, photophobia or phototoxicity - each a type of adverse reaction to UV rays.

According to the FDA (link: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/496_sun.html), photoallergies occur when UV light actually changes the drug, causing the body to create antibodies which, in turn, results in an allergic reaction. Photophobia typically refers to patients who avoid light because their eyes are particularly sensitive to it. Finally, phototoxicity is essentially drastically increased skin sensitivity, resulting in a burn and potential skin or cell damage.

Common Photosensitizers

Here is a very small sample of the most common drugs that may cause photosensitivities:

Brand Name	Generic Name	Therapeutic Class
Motrin	ibuprofen	NSAID, antiarthritic
Crystodigin	digitoxin	antiarrhythmic
Sinequan	doxepin	antidepressant
Cordarone	amiodarone	antiarrhythmic
Bactrim	trimethoprim	antibiotic
Diabinese	chlorpropamide	antidiabetic (oral)
Feldene	piroxicam	NSAID, antiarthritic
Vibramycin	doxycycline	antibiotic
Phenergan	promethazine	antihistamine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Table Source: Reid, Ph.D. , C.D. (1996, May). Chemical Photosensitivity Another Reason to Be Careful in the Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2009, from FDA.gov Web site: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/496_sun.html

For a more  comprehensive list, along with links to more resources on the topic, check out the about.com article Sun Sensitivity Can Be Side Effect of Some Medications (link: http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthritismedications/a/sun_sensitivity.htm)

Pregnant Women

Because a person's body temperature can raise significantly during tanning, pregnant women should not use tanning beds. Just like with saunas and hot tubs, raising a pregnant woman's internal temperature can interfere with fetal development and is not recommended at all.

People Undergoing Laser Treatment

Because laser treatments (laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, etc) can increase your skin's sensitivity to UV light, it's recommended that you stay out of the sun and the tanning bed for at least 24 hours after your treatment.

Be sure to share this information with your customers before they start tanning. Make the "skin type" discussion part of your procedure when welcoming any new customers to your salon. Remind them that certain medications can change the way their bodies react to tanning. Any customers who fall within any of these categories should consult their physician before they attempt tanning.

Remember, the more you stay informed as a tanning salon owner, the better off your customers will be, and the more comfortable they will be visiting your salon.