Almost since the inception of indoor tanning, those of us doing business in the industry have been beleaguered by negative press coverage of salon practices and misinformation about UV exposure from tanning systems – often presented with myth, conjecture and spin. IST searches for erroneous, suspect or negative media reporting that adversely impacts our industry – such reports have plagued salon operators and tanning product manufacturers for decades. Although media outlets will seldom admit a falsehood and print a retraction, the IST Watchdog offers responses that can be shared with your salon guests and potential customers, alike. [gap height=”15″]
This month’s report comes from a recent study provided by Yale researcher, Leah Ferrucci on age limit compliance for tanning salons. The study was titled: “Compliance with indoor tanning bans for minors among businesses in the USA”. Read more at: goo.gl/TdxH8b.[gap height=”15″]
The methodology appeared accurate and survey results were provided. However, once the media got to it, the headline changed. HealthDay.com went with: “Many tanning salons defy legal age limits on users”.
Read more at: goo.gl/8q6eV5.[gap height=”15″][gap height=”15″]
In the HealthDay.com version of the report, it was claimed that: [gap height=”15″]
- About one-fifth of the salon operators said they would let underage people use their tanning facilities.[gap height=”15″]
- Compliance was lowest in the south (about 71%) and highest (nearly 88%) in states where bans had been in place for at least two years, the findings showed.[gap height=”15″]
- The investigators also found that some salon operators gave customers false or misleading health information. Vitamin D production, cosmetic results and treatment of skin diseases were often claimed as benefits of indoor tanning, and 10% of salons said their services posed no health risks.[gap height=”15″]
- Only 20% told customers it could cause skin cancer, the researchers said in a journal news release.[gap height=”15″][gap height=”15″]
- Using the same survey numbers, let’s take a look at what the magazine could have offered its readers.[gap height=”15″]
- The vast majority of salons (80%) surveyed would NOT let underage youths tan indoors. [gap height=”15″]
- An overwhelming majority of salons were in compliance with current age bans, ranging from about 71% to nearly 88% in states where bans had been in place for at least two years, the findings showed.[gap height=”15″]
- The investigators also found that some salons gave customers false or misleading health information. Vitamin D production, cosmetic reasons and treatment of skin diseases were often claimed as benefits of indoor tanning: but, 90% of percent of salons made no health claims about their services.[gap height=”15″]
If you read a media report that you would like to be considered for our Watchdog column, email joe1resource@gmail.com.[gap height=”15″][gap height=”15″]
Remember this statement: For those who weigh the risks and benefits of UV tanning, millions choose indoor facilities where session times are determined by individual skin type and controlled by a timer to minimize risk of overexposure and sunburn.[gap height=”15″]
Semiletava Hanna / Shutterstock.com
