ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Studies are finding pre-menopausal women in early stages of breast cancer also suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, indicating there might be a link. Vitamin D is a booster of the immune system and helps the body fight off a variety of bacterial infections – and possibly more. There’s an increasing amount of evidence which shows breast cancer is less likely in women with high levels of Vitamin D.

Researchers at Columbia University reported that in their study of 103 pre-menopausal women with early stage breast cancer, 74 percent of them had a Vitamin D deficiency . This was supported by results of other studies in Toronto, Canada, which showed the same category of women had better treatment outcomes when they had adequate levels of Vitamin D in their blood.

The reports also show these deficiencies may not be corrected with a daily supplement of 400 IU/day (the generally recommended amount) especially during winter months due to lack of sun exposure, a primary source of Vitamin D. Some of this can be made up with safe (limited exposure with UV-B rays) indoor tanning which stimulates production of this valuable vitamin in the skin. New information indicates as much as 1000 to 1500 IU of Vitamin D per day may the amount required to be effective for breast cancer prevention.

Experts have begun singing the praises of vitamin D, a primary source of which comes from UV-B rays found in sunlight and tanning beds. Many tanning salons have beds with high UV-B ray output, like our SS755 Tanning Bed which makes it ideal for people in cold winter climates who want to not only maintain their tan, but feel good and get a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Parents generally have some serious say-so in their children’s lives up to age 18, when they legally become adults. And as such, many states require parental permission to allow teens to tan at an indoor tanning salon.

However, now in Massachusetts, state lawmakers are proposing to go a step further, and require a complete ban on indoor tanning for anyone under the age of 16 – and Rhode Island is likely to follow. This is leaving many tanning salon proprietors scratching their heads in frustration.

Most already have strict policies in place for minors. One Rhode Island salon owner says all their clients under 18 must have a consent form signed by a parent in front of an employee. “When parents come in and we explain all the facts, it’s clear how time intervals work and how to tan responsibly,” she says.

Parents themselves may object to having their authority usurped by state politics, and some point out that getting a tan in a controlled environment is better than over exposure outside. Another salon owner agrees the ban is going too far and points out: “I think the laws are sufficient as long as they are enforced.”

When it comes to parental permission, the ban may be a moral battle ground, but for salon owners it’s also a business battle ground – with a significant impact on the business bottom line. One owner claims it would affect almost 75 percent of her business – especially during certain times of the year.

It’s all about tanning responsibly, salon proponents say. “Teens can go out and get fried outside, too,” says one salon client. “In my opinion, if they’re going to tan, it’s better to do it in a controlled environment.”

There are 29 states which currently regulate teen tanning.

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

The recent swine flu scare had everyone worried about their health, but there’s good news for those “ounce of prevention” types and it’s called Vitamin D. Having enough is important because recent studies have shown when levels of vitamin D are low, we’re more susceptible to colds and flus. So while not exactly a cure, it is effective in staving off those rampant viruses floating around at the office.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone which encourages and empowers your immune system through the production of cathelicidin (a protein that fights bacteria). Its two biggest sources are the sun and fortified milk – but you can also take supplements or visit your local tanning salon for some full spectrum UV light therapy. The latter is also a recognized treatment for seasonal affective disorder (winter blues) and much cheaper than a Mediterranean cruise.

Dr. Jan Gurley — Doc Gurley — a medical blogger for the San Francisco Gate, speculates that increased vitamin D intake in the summer is one the reasons the flu tends to disappear in the summer . She also says ultraviolet lights can help kill the influenza virus on surfaces .

Most people can take up to 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day, but if you're not sure, just get a blood test and let your doctor help you find your optimal level.

Vitamin D is quickly turning into the wonder vitamin of this decade. It's easy to get (sunlight in the summer, tanning salons in colder weather), inexpensive (sunlight is free, most tanning salons have membership programs, and vitamin D milk is $3 per gallon), and it can help fight a number of different ailments, including certain cancers, seasonal affective disorder, and even the basic flu.

Missouri will be joining the ranks of 16 states that are considering legislation to limit or ban teens’ use of indoor tanning salons . Legislative proposals range from requiring parental consent, to requiring a doctor’s note, to outright banning of minors.

This is in addition to the 29 states which already have restrictive indoor tanning laws for teens on the lawbooks.

Proponents of such limitations say it’s for the protection of minors, much like the cigarette sales laws. But opponents disagree – arguing this goes too far. “You cannot regulate everything in this world,” says one state senator in Florida who voted against such bill when it came up in his state. “I suppose we could say the same thing and outlaw tanning on the beach.”

Salon owners emphasize that tanning beds are much safer than tanning outdoors because it’s a controlled environment, and certified operators are trained to help tanners use the beds safely. “It’s a lot easier to get a sunburn when you’re outside,” says John Overstreet, executive director of the Washington-based Indoor Tanning Association which represents approximately 20,000 tanning salons. “In a tanning salon you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Dermatologists say tanners are more susceptible to skin damage prior to the age of 18, but indoor tanning advocates believe that educating users is adequate to avoid the overuse that leads to unhealthy burning. Many salons already voluntarily require parental permission for minors who use their facilities.

It is estimated that well over two million teens use indoor tanning salons annually, and the loss of revenue is certainly a concern for salon owners. But the ITA is quick to point out its also a violation of parental rights – and just bad politics. In a formal statement opposing the ban to teen tanning, they call such legislation an “unnecessary intrusion of government in our daily lives.”

Over-regulation is a serious threat and one that could seriously hinder our industry. So, if you live in Missouri or know anyone in Missouri, I urge you to write a letter and encourage your friends to write letters speaking out against this ban.

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

It’s almost the stuff of urban legends – the famous (or infamous) baby oil tan.

For years people on beaches and in backyards slathered themselves down with baby oil to get a deep, dark tan. And it worked. People who could tan would find they did tan when they “laid out” coated with baby oil.

Those were also the days of some pretty serious bikini lines.

But as always, times have changed, and so have people’s tanning accouterments. So is tanning with baby oil a classic? Or a dinosaur? Here are a few questions we're commonly asked about tanning with baby oil:

Do people still even use baby oil?

Yes, it has a distinctive glisten!

Does it speed up getting a tan?

Yes, sort of. Baby oil moisturizes your skin yet has no SPF sun protection in it, and therefore there is zero blocking of the sun’s UV rays. And while that may contribute to speeding up the tanning process, it can also mean speeding up the burning process.

So, is baby oil good or bad for my skin?

That depends. Bad, perhaps, if you overexpose your skin to the sun with no SPF, but good as a moisturizer. It’s actually a pretty serious moisturizer. And moisture helps with the absorbtion of UV rays.

Should I wear it for moisture with indoor tanning beds?

No. Nope. Negative.

Why not? It’s good moisturizer, right?

It's good for the skin, but bad for the beds. Baby oil will damage the acrylics on the tanning beds. As it damages the beds, the salons need to replace the acrylics, which increases the costs of operation, which ultimately means higher prices for you.

What should I use instead?

Tanning salons carry a wide variety of tanning lotions which are formulated specifically to protectively moisturize your skin without damaging the tanning beds. And, as always, be sure to use a good moisturizer after you’re done with your tanning session. Moisture helps with overall skin health.

Seasons come and seasons go, and along with them, warm weather. Clearly it’s more desirable to lay in the sun during the warm, balmy temperatures of summer than during the more chilly temperatures of spring and fall.

Still, personal comfort aside, does the temperature affect the ability to tan? Do you get goose-bump patterns if you’re cold? (The answer is, of course, no.) What about laying out on a cloudy day – is that a waste of time, or is there a silver lining?

Do I get less of a tan when it’s cool outside?

No – as long as the sun is out. If it’s a summer day, but it’s cool and clear, you’ll get just as much UV as if it’s hot.

Does it matter whether it’s a cool day in spring or summer?

Maybe. It depends on the latitude of your location. The closer you are to the equator, the more direct the angle of incidence for the suns rays. It also depends on the season. As the earth rotates and the sun gets closer to or further away from the horizon, it affects the angle of incidence.

Why does angle of incidence matter?

Because when the sun is lower to the horizon it has a lot more atmosphere to penetrate. And atmosphere blocks UV rays. Down in Florida, you’re going to get more UV all year long. Up in northern Alaska, not so much.

What about clouds – can I still get tan on a cloudy day?

Yes, but it takes longer because clouds also block UV rays – although not entirely.

When’s the best time to tan?

Weather is tricky – but you can tan any time (even in the dead of winter) with indoor tanning salons. Indoor tanning when sunshine is weakest in the winter can also help lift your spirits and dose you up with Vitamin D.

It's also a great way to tan during the summer, because you can control your exposure, make sure you get the right type of UV rays, and you can work around your schedule, including hitting the salon during the early morning or late evening hours.

This month, the American College of Sports Medicine published an article in their Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal that says vitamin D can actually help athletic performance .

While a few sessions of indoor tanning isn't going to turn you into Shawn Johnson or Michael Phelps, the article, titled 'Athletic Performance and Vitamin D' , found that because vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone that regulates over a thousand vitamin D-responsive genes, it may postively affect athletic performance. The article cited a number of studies, including a German study that found increased exposure to UV-B rays improves athletic performance.

Other cited studies found that athletic performance peaks seasonally with those peaks corresponding to prolonged exposure to sunshine, UV-B rays and vitamin D. Another study mentioned in the article found that regular sunshine and optimal vitamin D levels can actually increase the number and size of Type II muscle fibers - the muscle fibers known as our "fast twitch" fibers which are key for athletes.

Athletes who already participate in outdoor sports — long-distance runners, cyclists, baseball players and soccer players — have plenty of vitamin D, but it's the indoor and winter athletes who could probably use the extra vitamin D boost to aid their performance.

And because vitamin D deficiencies can actually be dangerous for an athlete (for all of us, actually), resulting in bone loss, increased risk of injury and a weakened immune system, it's critical that these sports enthusiasts keep a close eye on their vitamin D levels.

So, what does this mean for our Olympic athletes? Will we see our luge and speed skating teams preparing for Vancouver 2010 with indoor tanning sessions and lots of sunshine? Maybe. I can tell you this much - sunshine and UV-B rays aren't illegal.