Looking Fit 08/2004: Eyewear 101

In addition to sensible, moderate and responsible tanning, proper eye-care is one of the most important issues to be discussed with tanning customers. Whether a salon offers goggles or disposables, it is the owner’s responsibility to educate staff and customers about the necessity of wearing clean, protective eyewear each and every time they tan.

The Facts

Wearing protective eyewear during an indoor tanning session is required not only to protect the tanner, but also to protect the salon from potential liability. U.S. federal regulations (CFR 21 1040.20 [c] [4]) require that tanners wear protective eyewear that block 99.9 percent of UVB light and 99 percent of UVA light. Even in Canada, the government enforces identical requirements.

Ultimately, it is the operator’s responsibility that clients use compliant eyewear every time they tan in the tanning salon. Acceptable eyewear must state the product’s compliance with federal regulations somewhere on the packaging. Some states even require salons provide eyewear free of charge, while others only require that clients wear approved eye protection.

Staff always should ask clients if they have their eye protection with them. They need to be educated that towels, sunglasses, cotton balls and their eyelids do not adequately protect their eyes from damage.

It is important to note that eyewear must fit properly to be effective. UV light must not be able to seep in around the corners of the eyewear. The elastic strap that comes with goggles is provided to ensure a tight fit. Clients should not be allowed to risk damaging their eyes to eliminate tan lines. There are types of protective eyewear that fit on each eye in order to eliminate lines from the eyewear’s bridge or elastic strap. Cracked, pitted or discolored eyewear never should be used.

Another concern tanners have is cleanliness of the eyewear supplied in the tanning room. Obviously, it is the responsibility of salons to comply with state sanitation statutes and explain them to customers.

Disposable eye protection offers no chance of eye infection because the product is designed for one-time use. Additionally, the products do not have nose bridges to leave a tan line across the nose. The benefit to salons is that they don’t have to worry about keeping the goggle tanks clean and sanitary, mixing the fluid correctly, rinsing off the goggles, scraping any makeup and mascara out of the inside of the goggles, or replacing broken or stolen goggles.

Whether a salon offers goggles or disposables—many offer both—the first and foremost concern should be that all tanners protect their eyes using some form of eye protection. All tanners should be encouraged to find an FDA-compliant product and wear it. Any exposure to UV light should involve eye protection. While many staff members always wear eyewear during their tanning sessions, some don’t realize they should have it on while checking lamps, too.

The most important point to drive home with tanners is that eye damage is cumulative—so each harmful exposure will contribute to the problem. Make sure customers—and employees—know that the only way to protect their eyes in the long run is to wear FDA-compliant eyewear diligently when tanning.

For more information about eyewear and tanning regulations, call (800) 529-1101 or visit the National Tanning Training Institute online at www.tanningtraining.com.

The Big 4

Salon owners must make tanners aware of four important UV and eye facts:

1. Eyewear protects tanners’ eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet light.

2. UV damage is cumulative.

3. The short-term health risk is corneal burns, which are sunburns on the surface of the eye. A corneal burn shows up within a few hours of exposure and is characterized by increased sensitivity, a burning sensation and excessive tearing. The effects are apparently temporary and usually disappear within a day or so.

4. The long-term health risks include brunescent cataracts, which are a clouding or pigmentation of the lens within the eye. They are slow to develop, usually occurring over a matter of years, but they are permanent. The clouding affects night vision and also can alter perception of color. Cataract surgery is the only known cure.