With the sun finally poking out from behind the clouds, I think we can say summer is finally here. It has been a slow step into summer here in the UK this year, and those who have been planning their tans are definitely ahead of the curve.
The slow start to summer has, thankfully, not deterred the tanning salon customer – if anything, footfall is stronger than usual. I rather suspect one of the reasons for this will be because there is a distinct lack of reliable opportunity to achieve any sort of sunshine base tan before the holiday season gets into swing.
Not that having a base tan is deemed responsible or beneficial, according to the anti-tanning lobby. It beggars belief that a sensible approach to tanning that in turn reduces the risk of over-exposure and burning would not be advocated by those seeking to ensure we are all sensible about UV exposure.
We need one cohesive joint message: common sense and sunburn prevention – that is all there is to it.
Over the last month or so, the tanning bed industry in the UK and Ireland was subjected to the expected annual “attack.” Nothing new to mention here; neither regarding the fact that this happens, nor the content of the anti-tanning bed campaigns, which consisted of the usual tropes and rhetoric.
However, one point that stood out for me this year was the widespread misconception or disingenuous portrayal that indoor tanning is somehow different from sunshine tanning. Of course, we in the business understand there is no difference – other than the very important fact that a tanning bed session is a controlled dose of UV light, designed to promote a tan and not burn.
I do actually wonder how many of the anti-tanning bed lobby and campaigners have ever actually set foot in a professional, modern tanning salon. Given what is often claimed by these folk, I would say very few indeed, if any. I suggest there is probably a very good reason for this; being that it would be far more of a challenge for them to have any conviction for their campaigns if they actually had any genuine understanding of what actually happens in a professional tanning facility.
I was involved with some recent industry research that looked at the tanning behaviour of people using professional salons. I was not surprised, but confidently reassured by the findings. I guarantee you the anti-tanning bed lobby, if they were honest with themselves, would be, as well. Here are just a few points that speak volumes about the value of trained salon staff providing consumers with correct information and advice about responsible tanning:
- 88% said responsible tanning was important to them.
- 92% said professional tanning salons provide a good level of information and advice about responsible tanning.
- 98.5% said they knew how to use a sunbed responsibly.
- 95% agreed it was important to seek shade during periods of sunbathing to avoid sunburn.
- 94% used sun protection cream when sunbathing.
The last two points are of particular interest, as they shout out loud and clear that people who have been given good advice and information about responsible tanning in a tanning salon take that information and apply it to their behaviour in the sun. And we all know where the vast majority of UV overexposure resulting in burning takes place – that’s right, in the sunshine.
Years of scaremongering against sunshine by “health professionals” has failed as the public are confused by mixed messages. I have long advocated that tanning professionals can help prevent people from burning while enjoying the sunshine. We need one cohesive joint message: common sense and sunburn prevention – that is all there is to it.
