Tanning Equipment

Choosing the right piece of tanning equipment is one of the most important decisions a salon owner can make. Modern units blend unmatched technology with inspiring elegance. By investing in new equipment, tanning professionals can take advantage of cutting-edge features, ergonomic interiors and eye-appealing exterior designs.

Today’s equipment manufacturers offer a wide range of equipment choices because they realize that consumers want more diverse choices in appearance and function. Much like the first automobiles, the first tanning beds were primitive and boxy in appearance because they were built for functionality rather than aesthetics. As the industry progressed, equipment manufacturers improved upon their products and began introducing a selection of tanning units that included more curves, more comfortable acrylics and more sophisticated timing devices.

Equipment manufacturers have revolutionized the science of tanning, and in 2006 end users are buying far more superior products than they did nearly 30 years ago. Since purchasing tanning equipment is such a big investment, today’s buyers are looking for innovations in the engineering of tanning equipment and reasonable price-points. Commercial tanning equipment can range anywhere from around $2,900 for a an entry-level unit all the way to $40,000 and higher for a high-end unit.

Industry veterans agree that the Europeans still influence the tanning market. For instance, European tanning units have become more ergonomically appealing and large enough to include a wider range of tanners than ever before.

The North American tanning market has seen sales in tanning units evolve from 24-lamp units to 50-lamp units and higher. Many contend that the expensive, good looking European beds have forced the U.S. manufacturers to turn up the heat and produce better products and market them smarter.

The concept of offering equipment with multiple levels of tanning capabilities—including low-, medium-and high-pressure options—continues to dominate the market. This multilevel system of equipment has provided salon owners with the unique opportunity to upgrade their low-pressure tanners to medium-pressure beds, and their medium-pressure tanners to high-pressure beds for a minimal charge. Additionally, many salons are looking for equipment with varied tanning times such as 8-, 10-, 15- and 20-minute exposure schedules. This allows for a staggered customer flow and turnover in tanning rooms.

Today’s bigger beds contain more lamps in the canopy and the bottom of the bed—ultimately to allow for a more intense and quicker tan, while giving the clients added value for their dollar.

A continued trend to include varied-length lamps and shoulder lamps in the tanning unit allows customers to get an all-over tan without the need to change tanning units. Some equipment providers are offering wider and longer versions of their equipment to satisfy the larger and taller tanning customers.

Equipment makers also continue to fine-tune mechanical features such as piston-lift canopies and contoured acrylics to allow the tanner to tan better and more comfortably during the tanning session.

Additional equipment enhancements include advanced lamp and filter systems, digital stereo systems, aromatherapy, massage, cooling mist, easy-touch controls, electronic diagnostics to help the salon staff with maintenance issues, advanced body cooling and integrated ventilation systems.

Maintenance continues to become easier for salon personnel thanks to manufacturers putting their components in trays that slide out of the bottom of the beds—making repairs and cleaning easier. Specially coated finishes allow beds to be more durable and ensure their trendy look much longer. Additionally, manufacturers are offering a bigger selection of colors and designs to better match existing salon decors. Some makers are offering hinged acrylics for ease of maintenance.

Vertical units continue to offer appealing features that enhance their marketability. Today’s stand-up units offer sleek new looks, novel shapes and ergonomic designs. Manufacturers are offering eye-catching graphics and designs that assist the salon staff in upgrading from more basic units. Customers not only want enhanced tanning performance, they also are after visual incentives that distinguish their upgraded sessions from the basic program.

Salon owners can choose from a host of high-quality equipment featuring cutting-edge technologies. The secret to overall success is to select the right equipment mix for the salon. While the market for high-quality and sophisticated tanning units continues to grow, the real trend is to offer three to five levels of tanning so customers can choose their tanning lifestyle. For example, a typical 10-bed salon might feature five base units, two premium units, a standup, a high-pressure unit, a sunless stand-up unit and a handheld sunless airbrush or HVLP system.