Skin Typing 2005
Risk-Reduction Questions
by Patricia E. Reykdal and Donald L. Smith
In the article titled “Skin Typing 2005: Another Method To Preventing Overexposure To UVR” that was published in the February 2005 issue of LOOKING FIT® magazine, we covered the reasons why skin-typing/subtyping new clients make sense. This article discusses why the risk-reduction questions found at the bottom of the skin-typing/subtyping form (found on page 132 of this issue) are so important.
Shown below are the questions 10 through 18 that are designed to help reduce the risk of overexposure to UVR and identify clients who should consult their private physician before tanning.
10. Are you sunburned on any part of your body? (***) (YES/No) Remarks: This question helps identify clients who should not tan because they are sunburned from a previous overexposure to UVR.
11. Are there areas of your body that you will expose to UVR that are not tanned?
(YES/No) Remarks: This question helps identify clients whose face, arms and legs may be tanned but who have parts of their body that are not tanned.
12. How would you describe your level of acquired tan (facultative pigmentation) at this time? (___No Tan ___Light Tan ___Moderate Tan ___Dark Tan) Remarks: This question helps salon staff determine the level of pre-existing tan the new client has.
13. Have you ever been advised by a physician to stay out of the sun? (***) (YES/No) If Yes, why? Remarks: This question helps identify clients who have had previous problems with UVR overexposure.
14. Are you taking any medication that could cause photosensitivity? (***) (YES/No) If Yes, please list medication(s). Remarks: This question is one of the most important because it helps identify clients who, because they are taking a medication that can increase their sensitivity to UVR, cannot tolerate as much UVR as their skin type/subtype would indicate.
15. Are you pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant? (***) (YES/No) Remarks: This question helps identify clients who may be pregnant. While there is no reason why they cannot tan, salon staff should counsel them to check with their physicians before doing so.
16. Do you have psoriasis? (***) (YES/No) Remarks: This question helps identify clients who may be patronizing your salon to self-treat their psoriasis. Staff should make sure that 1) they have discussed tanning to treat their condition, and 2) they are not taking a photosensitizing medication (psoralen) that is commonly used to treat psoriasis.
17. Do you have systemic lupus erythematosis? (***) (YES/No) Remarks: This question helps identify clients who have systemic lupus erythematosis (lupus) who should not tan in a broad-spectrum sunbed, because doing so can exacerbate their condition. People with lupus may try to tan because some Web sites state that UVA1 exposure administered by a physician has been shown to be beneficial, and often fail to mention that broad-spectrum UVR exposure is detrimental.
18. Have you ever been diagnosed with and treated for skin cancer? (***) (YES/No) If Yes, please list details. Remarks: This question helps identify clients who, because they have a history of skin cancer, should not tan.
The bottom line is that asking questions 10 through 18—and the warning statement “(***) If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, we recommend that you do not tan without your doctor’s approval”—a) helps to reduce the risk of overexposure to UVR, b) helps to identify those clients who should be advised to talk to their personal physician before tanning, and c) adds to the professional image of your salon.
Again, we offer to send everyone who e-mails us (reyksmith@aol.com) their salon name and mailing address a personalized copy of our skin-typing/subtyping form (page 132) and a copy of our client release and informed consent form. At the time we are proofing this article, we have had more than 200 requests—which indicates there is great interest in the important subject of skin-typing/subtyping.
