Our industry’s contribution to the wellness and wellbeing of our customers should never be underestimated. Yet there can be no doubt it is under-valued and even derided in some quarters. The latter, unfortunately, is often the position of those who claim to know much but, inevitably, do not. Equally, there are some of “our own” who fuel this derision.
As professionals in our industry, we all take a role in educating our salon guests about responsible tanning. This is an ethos that should be in place across all aspects of our industry, from the manufacturing and supply of tanning beds and tanning lotions through to the training of staff and the screening of customers for any contra-indications and subsequent provision of information.
Unfortunately, we still see across Europe the actions of a disreputable few who are simply not signed up to what I believe to be the industry-standard ethos of education and professionalism. Thankfully, these companies represent nothing more than a small but irritating minority. The irritation is the regrettable fact that the actions of such companies can end up as media headlines and column inches, presenting people with tanning bed burns, unregulated, unsuitable lotions and equipment as the industry norm. And it is ultimately such media coverage that fuels the anti-tanning bed lobby and that, unaddressed, has the potential to impact all of us.
As professionals in our industry, we all take a role in educating our salon guests about responsible tanning.
That we still have suppliers and operators simply unwilling to comply with best practice is anathema to me and also, I know, to many of my industry colleagues and, I have no doubt, to you too.
And this at a time when we see, certainly with the UK, a growing footfall of consumers heading into a professional tanning salon. And these days, more so than ever before, tanning bed users are not simply going for a tan, they are seeking the wellness aspect of their professional tanning salon experience.
Fact: Sunshine makes us feel good as well as look better. A growing awareness of the benefits of regular UV exposure in a controlled, professional environment is giving many new customers the confidence to seek out the photo-chemical benefits of responsible UV exposure, along with the photo-biological benefits of a tanning session.
This really is the time for our industry to be striding ahead confidently, leaving behind the negativity that is often brought to our table without validity. So, what to do about these antagonists? What can our industry voices do to challenge these issues? Are we ready to name and shame? What can individual businesses do to ensure these antagonists are not being supported? I think all of these points, and more, need to be discussed and a united front taken against those who would disrupt our pathway of professional progression.
I wonder if this is an industry issue within the U.S. or is it peculiar to Europe – it would be good to know. Within the UK, as an example, scores and scores of my salon operator customers have been in contact with us about their tanners bringing in unsuitable and uncertified lotions, purchased through TikTok and the like. The concerns are that they do not know what the ingredients of these products are, whether they are appropriate to use for a tanning bed session, whether they will have any adverse reactions on the customer’s skin and indeed the tanning bed acrylic and other aspects of the tanning cubicle. You can see where this could all go and it is certainly not improving the wellness and wellbeing of our end consumers.
