When I was in college at Monmouth University, I was surrounded by Jersey Shore guido culture. All my classmates were heavily tanned. They all rocked the same hair extensions. They all had the same thick black mascara and some even had the Snooki poof. And acrylic nails? Yep. You betcha!
Needless to say, my vampire-pale aesthetic stood out like a sore thumb. I was terrified to go in a tanning booth because of my allergy to daylight–plus a very unfortunate attempt at sunless tanning that dyed me a light shade of purple.
I used to cover my desire to fit in by saying that my classmates “primarily majored in tanning.”
Roughly 20 years later, that joke I made might not be a joke to everyone. After a steady growth in tanning salon training requirements, at least one college is going to start offering tanning as a course within its walls.
Behold, Tricoci University
Tricoci University, also known as Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, is a Chicago-based college that focuses on the beauty industry. Tricoci is one of the top beauty schools in the Midwest, with 15 different campuses throughout three different states.
The three most common programs are Barber Technology, Beautician School, and Esthetician School—though they also tend to offer programs for nail techs and beauty instructors as well. More recently, Tricoci decided to add on some new coursework to their already-vast menu: tanning!
About The New Tanning Course
This particular class will specialize in the art (and science) of giving a perfect, sun-kissed glow through spray tanning. Of course, the educators at Tricoci wouldn’t just go it alone. Rather, they decided to work with the people who know tanning best…Norvell!
The course itself is a simple, single-semester course designed to teach students the basics of spray tanning, how to apply tanner efficiently, and the basic ingredients in tanning lotions. Students who take the course will be able to add another highly-demanded skill to their beautician toolbelt.
Most states do not require tanning salon attendants to have a degree in cosmetology or esthetician licensing in order to operate a tanning booth. There also isn’t much of a push to make that change, either.
With that being said, having additional certifications can help staffers learn how to offer a more long-lasting, even, professional tan. And that’s why certifications like Sun Is Life are becoming an industry standard among top-performing salons.
Is This The Future Of Tanning?
It’s important to note that the tanning course at Tricoci is not a course that has its own private certification. Tanning staffers will likely have to get additional training to get certified as a tanning professional. However, that doesn’t mean it’s without value.
Tanning, as an industry, tends to lean heavily on certifications rather than college degrees. Like much of the beauty industry, things are starting to change. We might be on the brink of seeing tanning certifications readily available at beauty schools across the country.
As for right now, Tricoci University is lightyears ahead when it comes to the salon training game.
