TOC Fact Book 07

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Chapters
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6  -7 - 8 - 9
2007-08 Lamp Application Guide

Chapter 1—Indoor Tanning 

Nearly an entire year of work has gone into producing this Fact Book that provides salon owners and operators with the most up-to-date resource tool to help with the daily management of their tanning facilities and aid in long-term planning for growth and expansion.

This chapter provides an overview of the Fact Book, as well as a detailed table of contents. You also will find information about the evolution of the U.S. indoor tanning market, a comprehensive State of the Industry Report, statistics supporting the growth and maturity of the industry and an introduction to ultraviolet light.

This chapter also provides information about salon education and certification—one of the most important tools salon owners can have on their side.

Each chapter thereafter contains specifics on many aspects of the daily operations of salon management. This Fact Book is designed to be a ready reference guide so when you have a question, the answer can be found easily and immediately.

This chapter provides an overview of the tanning process and its effect on the body. Since the skin is the largest organ on the human body, it is a complex and hard-to-understand entity. And since a tanning unit affects bodily functions, it is essential that salon operators and employees understand the biological process by which the skin tans when exposed to ultraviolet light. By knowing and understanding this process, will you be able to train and instruct your employees and customers in the proper way to obtain golden tan.

With the advancement of equipment technology, more suppliers are providing a wide selection of equipment choices. From traditional tanning beds to stand-up units these commercial choices can range from entry-level 30-lamp units to high-end units offering more than 50-plus lamps. This section takes a look at equipment specifics as well as specific maintenance requirements that ensure their longevity and performance. The chapter also examines equipment construction and the care needed to achieve maximum effectiveness and profits.

An explanation of high-pressure tanning including its evolution, a comparison between low- and high-pressure and techinical aspects surrounding it also are included for review.

Despite how people feel about regulation, whether it is on a national scale as imposed by the Food and Drug Administration, or on a state or local level, it never was designed to be a thorn in the business owner’s side. The ultimate aim of regulatory agencies is to protect consumers from those who are out to make a quick buck at the expense and possible danger of the consumer.

For those who are interested in providing secure, useful products and the longevity of the industry as a whole, regulations are a welcomed development. As tanning continues to be a part of image-conscious America, the FDA and state agencies continue to keep a watchful eye over the industry.

Locating rules and regulations, especially those from federal agencies, can be a time-consuming and difficult task, and for this reason we have designed this section to help salon owners understand what the FDA requires and its role in our industry. It contains all FDA regulations that apply to indoor tanning.

In addition, a draft of a model set of state regulations written by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) also is included to give an idea of what typical state rules might include. In addition to these rules and regulations, salon owners and equipment manufacturers also should pay attention to the electrical testing laboratories. UL and ETL are non-profit testing laboratories whose goals are to protect the consumer.

On Oct. 1, 2003, the FDA requested and was given the go-ahead to develop amendments to the U.S. performance standard for sunlamp products based on certain initiatives of international standards organizations concerning sunlamp products. This came after the FDA’s Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee (TEPRSSC) heard a proposal Oct. 1, 2003, for rule changes associated with indoor tanning products. Current rules that are being considered for change include revised warning labels, addition of warning labels to all indoor tanning purchasing information, modification of the definition of eyewear, more stringent limits on eyewear effectiveness, adoption of maximum timer setting of 3 MEDs, and implementation of coding systems for sunlamps. Before final acceptance of any changes, FDA must submit a proposal for final acceptance. The public comment period has not yet been established. The Oct. 4, 2006 TEPRSSC meeting was canceled and has not been rescheduled.

This chapter also includes the strict rules the FDA has made concerning protective eyewear. The FDA requires salons to provide this service to tanners; however, enforcing its use is another story. This section will provide you with the tools to educate your customers about the importance of protecting their eyes during the tanning process.

This chapter presents the most up-to-date lamp information and provides you with everything you need to learn how tanning lamps are made, including the differences between the many types of tanning lamps on the market today; how to care for them; and, when and how to replace them in order to be compliant with the FDA.

Ancillary services help salon owners ride the economic ups downs of the tanning off-season. Many services remain popular year-round and allow salon owners to leverage their existing customer bases and use much of their same operating models. The indoor tanning salon can play host to a number of ancillary services that can help add additional revenue from a minimal investment of money and staff.

This chapter contains an analysis of the practical considerations of adding ancillary services to your mix or cross-promoting with other businesses in your area. Even if your salon only offers tanning, don’t underestimate your future growth. As the total salon concept becomes more widespread, it may be necessary for you to provide additional services to maintain an edge over your competition. Information about skincare, nails, body wraps, hydrotherapy, light therapy, massage, fitness, sunless tanning, video, day spa amenities, travel and nutritional supplements are examined.

For more than a decade, lotion was the fastest-growing segment of the indoor tanning industry; however, lotion sales have started to even out in the past few years as consumers opt for more reasonable price-points.

Targeted marketing and a full understanding of their benefits provides salon owners the ability to capture year-round profits with lotions and skincare offerings. Again, it is important to remember that time is a precious commodity, and consumers are looking for a one-stop shop for all their skincare needs.

This chapter identifies lotion trends, the importance of quality skincare and clears up misconceptions about the most common ingredients found in indoor tanning lotions. This section also includes tips on merchandising and display, selling strategies and inventory control, and a section focusing on salon necessities required to keep a tanning salon ahead of its competition.

This chapter is dedicated solely to the issue of salon insurance and provides you with the latest information on liability and legalities in the indoor tanning salon setting. Be sure to read this section carefully and evaluate your salon’s insurance program. If you are not insured, consult an insurance specialist before disaster strikes and your business suffers.

Operating a successful indoor tanning salon is no easy task, especially for those attempting it for the first time. Though daily procedures may seem like second nature to the seasoned professional, the new salon owner may find those tasks a little overwhelming.

This chapter contains the main operational procedures salon owners must use and understand in daily operations. Although some details may vary slightly, depending upon location and business goals, there are some basic steps to use as guidelines.

Sections included on salon management, operating costs and revenues, hiring good employees and salary issues. Other sections include detailed information about advertising, marketing, promotion, and computerization. This chapter also examines expansion, securing loans, writing a business plan, cost analysis and choosing the right name and location for your salon. Use this chapter as your business tool to stay ahead of your competition.

Chapter 10—Buyer’s Guide & Directory 

This chapter features the 2007/2008 Buyer’s Guide & Directory that provides the most up-to-date directory of manufacturers and distributors of indoor tanning and spa equipment, products and services. The guide includes Web site and e-mail addresses, company descriptions and a handy cross-reference category listing to help locate supplies quickly.

Web Exclusive:
2007-08 Lamp Application Guide

LOOKING FIT—Serving You For 22 Years

Industry statistics reveal that 30 million people tan indoors in the United States each year. With more than 25,000 indoor tanning facilities nationwide and another 20,000 businesses that offer indoor tanning, the potential client base in enormous.

No one can deny that the indoor tanning industry is a wonderful success story and is an industry that has withstood the test of time. Taking shape in the late 1970s, many in the United States called it a fad. Nearly 30 years later, it has survived skeptics and cynics and evolved into a viable, growing industry.

Since the early days of the industry, LOOKING FIT® has been by your side. This year marks LOOKING FIT’s 22nd year of serving this exciting and growing market. For more than two decades, we have been working for you—the indoor tanning salon operator—helping spread the good word about the benefits of sunlight. Over the years, we have provided you with the tools you need to make your business successful. We’ve shown you the latest products and services, while offering up sound business guidance for strategic growth.

We provide those tools through LOOKING FIT® magazine, monthly e-newsletters, The Fact Book, the National Tanning Training InstituteSM, Tanning Tours™, LOOKING FIT® Online, Indoor Regulatory Conferences and our past International Tanning Trade Expos.

In 2006, we introduced the Bizz Blog—an industry-specific site of well thought-out, planned and reported stories and opinions. A thoughtfully written blog about the indoor tanning industry by a person with daily involvement in said industry is a valuable way to spend some time learning what is new and important, let alone revealing what other people in the industry are saying about the topics of the day. LOOKING FIT is proud to be the FIRST industry magazine to bring this fun and exciting information source to you. We also are happy to have guest bloggers who bring specific industry knowledge on varied subjects essential to the growth of your business.

As always, our mission is to help you increase the number of tanning clients in your salons. We pledge to do this through continued support of the indoor tanning industry through donations to the various associations, interaction with regulatory agencies, providing you with a venue to learn about new and innovative products and giving you the quality business ingredients necessary to complete your recipe for success.

That being said, we created a Web site specifically for your customers—www.tanresponsibly.com. Customers can log on and find handy tanning tips, the latest trends and answers to many questions regarding sensible, moderate and responsible tanning.

Judging from the great consumer comments on the blog (“The Bright Side”) and our Web exclusive articles, we know we’ve designed a place where tanners and others interested in your salon’s professional services are going for information on tanning, fitness & lifestyle, health & nutrition, skincare, movie reviews, sunsign predictions, etc.

LOOKING FIT® will continue to be your No. 1 source for industry information now and in the future.

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