TANNING INFO...
Can I tan if I'm pregnant?
Studies show that the frequent tanner does not have to stop
tanning because of pregnancy; ultraviolet radiation does not pose
any threat to the developing baby itself*. However, if you are
pregnant and wish to tan at Island Sun, we do require a written
"note of permission" from your doctor.
*Information courtesy of Looking Fit Magazine.
How many times will I have to visit Island Sun to get a good base tan?
Depending on your skin type, it will take from 1 to 8 sessions for
you to begin showing good color. Traditional sun beds of the most common design will require about 8 sessions spread over about 2 weeks to produce good color. Newer quartz lamp "high pressure" designs use different kinds of tanning rays and much higher intensities to produce color in only 1 or 2 sessions for most skin types. Many modern sun beds fall in between these extremes and can produce a lot of color in 3 to 4 sessions. You will generally get what you pay for. Please remember that a fast tan is more
cosmetic than functional. A tan needs to be maintained for a
longer period of time in order for it to be functional in protecting
from sunburn.
Will a salon tan protect my skin from sunburn?
Probably. The amount of protection received depends on the type
of equipment used. Some of the newest quartz lamp sun beds and booths with "pure UVA" output offer faster color but less sunburn protection than more common sun bed designs. The traditional sun beds - including the beds at Island Sun - use both UVA and UVB rays to offer an increased resistance to sunburn. The protection
level may never be exactly as high as if the suntan were achieved outdoors in the tropics, but it will reduce your chances of burning when you do get outdoors for fun, sport, or travel.
Do suntan lotions really help the skin tan faster and better?
Yes. Island Sun offers a wide variety of skincare products,
including accelerators, Hot Action lotions, and after tan
moisturizers to help you maintain a beautiful tan. Our Salon Professionals will gladly assist you in finding the best tanning
lotion to fit your needs.
Will my skin wrinkle if I tan?
It may. And it will probably wrinkle if you do not tan. Diet,
genetics, and certain behaviors - such as smoking cigarettes -
will wrinkle your skin more than moderate sun tanning.
Over exposure is the problem, not moderate exposure
Is it OK to burn and let it "fade" into a tan?
Absolutely not! The first rule of a smart tanner is to Never Sunburn.
At Island Sun, we'll teach you how to tan smart and avoid sunburn
at all costs.
Many people grow up thinking that if they don't experience a slight red or pinkish tinge after they tan that they didn't "get anything."
The truth is that the red or pinkish tinge you see is actually
sunburn (or erythema)--your skin's worst enemy. The fact is that
the sunburns we experience due to the lack of information when
we are growing up are the very things that lead to skin damage
later in life.
Smart tanners know that the key to avoiding sunburn is moderation in terms of UV exposure. The best way to ensure a "smart tan" is to take advantage of the years of research that have gone into tanning equipment to provide you with a controlled, predictable dosage of UV light. Also, use lotions to moisturize your skin before tanning and, if you do tan outdoors, remember that the sun emits whatever types of UV rays it wants. Several other environmental factors come into play with outdoor UV light, making exposure unpredictable.
Don't rely on the color of your skin to tell you when you get out
of the sun. Overexposure isn't evident sometimes until hours
after the sun's gone down. It's better to use a sunscreen and to
wear protective clothing than to risk overexposure, which can
lead to skin damage.
Some people get it. Who gets it is more a function of diet and genetics than adult sun tanning behavior. There is good evidence
that childhood sunburns may increase the risk of developing skin cancer in later life.
Many doctors want us to think that recent growth in skin cancer
rates are due to increased use of sun tanning salons. Dr. Fred Urbach - a world-class photo biologist - points out, however, that cancer rates per thousand of population have been increasing at
the same very steady if exponential rate for the last 50 years.
This seems to indicate that the sun tanning salon has very little
to do with skin cancer rates. If sun tanning salons were as bad as some doctors would have you believe, then surely the numbers
would show a stronger correlation.
Why do some doctors say tanning salons are dangerous?
The most obvious reason is that some doctors are informed by
old, and badly done studies, that rely on hearsay, rather than scientific methods. Other studies were done on hairless, nocturnal creatures that have never developed the ability to regulate the biological action of UV by producing a suntan. The results of these studies were then presented as predictive models for the human
skin. This is not good science.
Another reason may be that doctors were once able to charge
$60.00 per visit for UV LIGHT TREATMENTS. The availability of
UV at Sun tanning Salons for "Self-Treatment" at an average cost
of $6.00 per session has reduced medical revenue, most severely
at the average dermatology office. Interesting that the dermatologist is often our loudest critic.
If you fear the sun, then many doctors will make more money.
You will visit their offices more often to have little bumps looked
at. You will buy sunscreens from companies that doctors have invested in. And you may suffer from osteoporosis, breast cancer, and other diseases resulting from Vitamin D deficiency.
Why indeed? Many doctors are part of the "SUNSCARE" industry, including sunscreen makers and chemical companies who make a lot of money if you fear the sun. Since fewer and less powerful
people make money when you enjoy the sun, our voice is not as easily heard. But we are out here.
We believe in the moderate use of UV Rays for health and psychological reasons as well as for cosmetic reasons.
Do I really have to wear those goggles?
Yes! UV rays from sun tanning beds and booths if proper eye protection is not worn may damage all your cornea, lens, and
retina. If you tan without eye protection, and nothing "bad"
happens right away, then you may think you are not hurting
yourself. Many people do not experience acute injuries from UVA rays. They don't know that they are hurting themselves a tiny bit
at a time. These chronic injuries accumulate over your lifetime.
UVA rays will slowly cause you to lose your night vision and color vision. These losses are usually noticed before a change in visual acuity. Your eyes are worth it. Wear the goggles.
Do I have to take my contact lenses out when I use a sun
bed or booth?
Always wear proper sunlamp goggles. Many people have no
trouble whatsoever when leaving their contact lenses in while sun tanning in a sun bed or booth. Heat from the sunlamp product may cause dryness and mild to moderate discomfort for some contact lens wearers. Experiences vary widely. It certainly is safe from the UV perspective. There is not really any appreciable UV penetrating the sunlamp goggle. Thus, here is no risk of the eye or contact
lens being damaged by UV rays. Try tanning with your contact lenses in. If you find this uncomfortable, then take them out before tanning next time.
Can I catch a disease from a sun tanning booth or bed?
Not if the salon follows good hygiene practices. Ask what they
use on the bed or booth between customers. Ask them to show
you the bottle. The label should say "DISINFECTANT" or at least "SANITIZER". The best disinfectant products are also
"FUNGICIDES" and "VIRUCIDES" to control ringworm, foot
fungus, and viral diseases. If your salon will not show you what
they use, then we suggest you find a new salon.
