Summertime Blues

Summertime Blues
Don't let it be!

People ask me all the time, why on earth would anyone tan indoors in the summer, when the natural sun is free and available?

The most important advantage that indoor tanning has over the natural sun is control! Indoor tanning provides a controlled environment to obtain a cosmetic tan. The natural sun has no timer control; therefore, awareness of an erythema or sunburn generally happens too late and the sunburn already has occurred.

Once someone has made the decision to tan--indoors or outdoors--it is vital to avoid sunburn, which has been related to skin cancer. The controlled aspect of indoor tanning makes it easier to avoid sunburn.

The fact is, millions of people work to get a tan. Those people choose to tan and risk exposure; however, what about the millions who aren't really trying for a tan, but are simply outside and exposed to the sun?

Representatives from the medical field have indicated in the past that people should avoid all sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but is this reality? People who love outdoor recreation are not going to go inside during those hours--so they should be protected and educated.

Recommending a sunscreen could be one way to boost summer business. A photoprotective base surely will help those who choose to spend time outdoors during the specified hours to avoid the harmful affects of erythema. Summer promotions on SPFs and information on avoiding sunburn give clients the indication that you truly care for their well-being--and bring clients back no matter what the season.

In addition, we all have heard the reports of global warming and the ice caps melting. Combine this with drought conditions in many parts of the country, and gosh, I just want a cool glass of water and some shade! Some areas of the United States are just too hot to make it comfortable to tan outdoors, but many who live there still want a tan.

"It is still the summer, I want to wear that new outfit, but I need a tan to show it off!" they say. So give it to them. Set up an appointment in your air-conditioned, controlled indoor tanning salon and provide tanners with that small slice of quiet time some feel is simply "heaven on earth."

Remember, when you make the decision to tan indoors, do so responsibly and in moderation!

If you have any feedback on this article, or anything you would like to see covered in future Wolff Words, please feel free to visit the Wolff System Technology Web site www.wolffsystem.com. You can also email your comments to me at jschuster@wolffsys.com. 

I look forward to hearing from you!
Yours truly,
Joe Schuster