What Your Clients Need To Know About SPFs

by Nancy A. Foster

Goodbye El Nino. Hello Summer. As for salon owners, summer is the time of the year for making additional profits in the guise of sunscreens. Without a doubt, SPFs are a summertime necessity--whether your clients are on the beach, golf course or out and about shopping for the day. So, don't let your clients walk out the door and into the harsh light of day without one.

The following is our annual SPF Supplement which highlights the products currently available to indoor tanning salons.

What Your Clients Need To Know About SPFs

The best way to sell a product is to know a product. In order to sell sunscreens, it is essential that salon owners are able to explain SPFs to their clientele.

What is SPF? Simply put, SPF is the ratio of the amount of energy required to produce a minimal sunburn through a sunscreen product film to the amount of energy required to produce the same minimal sunburn without any sunscreen protection.

Furthermore, a conversation about SPF would not be complete without explaining that Minimal Erythema Dose (MED) is the amount of energy needed to produce a just-perceptible sunburn.

In calculating the proper SPF for a client, use the following formula: SPF = MED protected skin/MED unprotected skin.

In addition, customers should be informed that several factors determine the effect of SPFs on the tanning process. These factors include:

• Formula--oils are generally less effective than creams.
• Amount Applied--apply a thick, even film of sunscreen and reapply it after swimming or exercise.
• Skin Type--it determines the amount of natural protection a client receives.
• Location--affects how much UV exposure gets through the atmosphere.
• Time of Day and Season of the Year--these factors are determined by the tilt and rotation of the earth.
• Reflection and Transmission of Light--light reflects off sand, water, cement, etc. Glass transmits UVA light.

Recommended SPF For Skin Types

• Type I (always burns easily; never tans) SPF 8 +
• Type II (always burns easily; tans minimally) SPF 6-7
• Type III (burns moderately; tans gradually) SPF 4-5
• Type IV (burns minimally; always tans well) SPF 2-3
• Type V (rarely burns; tans profusely)        SPF 2
• Type VI (never burns; deeply pigmented) none

Swedish Beauty

New from Swedish Beauty--the SB Suncare Line, designed specifically for the great outdoors. According to Swedish Beauty, the new line is water and perspiration resistant, as well as good for the skin.

Available in 6-ounce oils and lotions, as well as four different SPFs, the products are sure to satisfy every tanner's needs. In addition, the SB suncare line, made with SPF 4 and SPF 8, comes with convenient sprayers.

"The oils moisturize the skin and leave a soft, radiant sheen to the skin--while preventing damage from the sun," notes a company spokesperson.

Furthermore, the SB suncare lotions, made with SPF levels 15 and 30, are available in squeeze bottles for easy application.

"These lotions also moisturize the skin and prevent damage, but have a higher SPF for those who burn more easily," the spokesperson adds.

For more information contact
Swedish Beauty
7879 E. Beck Lane
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(602) 991-3801
(800) 532-9035

Australian Gold

Australian Gold protective sun care products allow users to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle, as well as help take the guessing game out of enjoying the sun.

The company's waterproof SPFs combine the UV protection and skincare ingredients wanted and needed for healthy-looking skin and are available in lotions, oils and spray gels. Australian Gold's protective sun care products allow the user to decide how much protection they want--from minimal protection for more gradual tanning to moderate protection for a powerful UVA and UVB block.

According to the company, every formula contains antioxidant vitamins and an exclusive Vitasome™ complex to help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, as well as intense moisturizers to help prevent the drying effects of sun, wind and salt water exposure. Natural olive, sunflower and tea tree oils condition and nourish the skin to help it look and feel its best.

Australian Gold SPF 30 Face Guard is a convenient, water-resistant formula and offers the face, nose and lips 30 times the natural protection from sunburn in an easy-to-use, non-runny, non-stinging stick.

Offering from two to 45 times the natural protection from UVA and UVB rays, Australian Gold protective sun care formulas allow users to have fun in the sun--without worry.

The company's protective sun care products include SPF 2 Spray Gel, SPF 4 Spray Gel, SPF 4 Spray Oil, SPF 4 Lotion, SPF 45 Spray Gel, SPF 6 Spray Gel, SPF 8 Lotion, SPF 15 Spray Gel, SPF 15 Lotion, SPF 30 Face Guard Stick, SPF 30 Lotion, SPF 30 Spray Gel, SPF 30 Baby Spray Formula, SPF 30 Kid's Formula and SPF 25 Vitamin E and Aloe Lip Balm.

For more information contact
Australian Gold, Inc.
6270 Corporate Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(800) 448-3218

Supre

New for 1998 is Supre's SPF 25 waterproof formulation. Also available from the company, its SPF 4, 8 and 15.

According to Supre, its 100-percent PABA free, moisture-rich SPF lotions shield skin from harsh, damaging UV rays to prevent sunburn while providing relief from dry, itchy and irritated skin. In addition, the formulas are enriched with antioxidants to help protect the skin from the environment and reduce extreme redness during UV exposure.

Regular use of its SPF products may help prevent premature aging of the skin and skin cancer due to long-term sun exposure, says the company.

For more information contact
Supre
15770 Dallas Parkway, Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 788-5184
(800) 825-7020

Body Drench

The Body Drench Action Sports Formula collection consists of specially formulated sunscreen lotions geared for active, outdoor lifestyles. According to the company, these sports formulas stay on and provide full-spectrum UV protection when the skin is at its most vulnerable.

Action Sports Formula sunscreen lotions come in SPF 4, 15 and 30. They have been clinically tested to offer ideal protection for minimum, moderate and maximum exposure times, Body Drench notes.

For more information contact
Body Drench
1434 W. Main St., Suite 402
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 449-4899
(800) 722-2639

TanLine, Inc./Nuvo Bronz

TanLine, Inc./Nuvo Bronz offers Neutra Tan Moderating Sunblock SPF 15 and Neutra+ Tan Moderating Sunblock Plus SPF 40.

According to the company, Nuvo Bronz Neutra provides protection against UVA and UVB light rays while neutralizing the effects of free radical scavengers. The new "waterproof" formula allows serious tanners to be active outdoors, yet maintain a smooth, even, total-body tan without long-term hazards from sun exposure, notes the company.

Neutra was designed for the most discriminating and experienced tanners who demand a perfectly even tan without tan lines while maintaining a smooth, even, natural color. Neutra SPF 15 will not clog pores, is non-stinging and non-greasy, notes TanLine. In addition, it helps maintain a youthful appearance and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

According to TanLine, Neutra+ also was designed for the most discriminating and experienced tanners who demand a perfectly even tan. Extra strength Nuvo Bronz Neutra+ "waterproof" formula lets tanners have fun in the sun all day with maximum sun protection controlling the amount of UV exposure to the skin without getting any unsightly tan lines, the company says.

In addition, Neutra+ 40 hypoallergenic formula provides protection against UVA and UVB light rays and will not block pores or run into the eyes when users are active outdoors. Furthermore, it helps maintain a youthful appearance while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, notes TanLine.

For more information contact
TanLine, Inc./Nuvo Bronz
P.O. Box 816083
Dallas, TX 75381
(800) 651-4371

Power Tan

Power Tan proudly introduces its Outdoor Tanning line for 1998. According to the company, all of its SPF products retail for less than $10.

"We feel the No. 1 reason customers do not buy outdoor tanning products from salons is the retail price has been too high," says a Power Tan spokesperson. "We provide SPF waterproof formulas that retail for $8.99 to $9.99."

For more information contact
Power Tan
4841 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 203
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(602) 874-2777
(800) 949-4745

California Tan

Heliotherapy sunscreens by California Tan are unlike ordinary sunscreens, which merely filter UV light, says the company. Available in SPF levels 2, 4, 8 and 15, the products are designed to be "dark tanning sunscreens" and contain California Tan's exclusive VITATAN complex of tanning and skincare extracts. The result, says the company, is a natural tan with the help of the sun, while at the same time guarding against burning.

Heliotherapy sunscreens are formulated with ingredients designed to help the skin's natural tanning process, while fighting some of the negative effects of sun exposure, such as burning, drying and the appearance of wrinkles. VITATAN gives Heliotherapy sunscreens their tanning as well as skincare benefits, notes California Tan. A complex exclusive to Heliotherapy, VITATAN contains bioengineered DNA enzyme complex and free-radical scavengers (vitamins A, C and E).

In addition, California Tan offers Just Faces SPF 15, a non-irritating, water-resistant sunscreen formula. According to the company, it protects the face with 15 times its natural protection from burning while adding rich, moisturizing benefits to help soften the appearance of fine lines and smooth facial skin's delicate surface.

Just Faces is a hypoallergenic, unfragranced formulation with moisturizing ingredients made for those who need extra protection and care. It contains Ceremide+ which helps boost the skin's hydration by enhancing its natural protective barrier that holds essential moisture, says California Tan. In addition, naturally derived antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals generated by sun exposure.

For more information contact
California Tan
270 N. Canon Drive, Suite 1297
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(800) SUN-CARE

South Beach Sun Co.

South Beach Sun Co. recently expanded its line of sun care products to 21. According to the company, these include an expansion of its Brazen! Dark Tanning Carrot Oil with SPFs ranging from 0 through 8, a unique Lidocaine Sunburn Relief Lotion and Lickable Lip Balm™ (SPF 30) with aloe, carrot oil, vitamin E and honey.

South Beach also introduced its new and convenient 2-ounce bottle. The pocket-sized travel bottles are perfect for weekend getaways and contain the same great lotions found in South Beach Sun's value size 8-ounce bottles.

Finally, the company's sunscreen line also includes its new SPF 50 SPORT Total Sunblock.

For more information contact
South Beach Sun Co.
1602 Alton Road, Suite 63
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(800) 585-9074

Island Heat

MOST Products offers waterproof and sweatproof Island Heat Sunscreens. And, according to the company, there is nothing like them under the sun.

Island Heat Sunscreens contain generous levels of vitamins A,C, D₃ and E which minimize undesirable side effects of sun exposure, such as premature aging and wrinkling. In addition, powerful moisturizers leave the skin soft and hydrated regardless of conditions.

The Island Heat Sunscreen line includes SPF 2, perfect if a base tan is well developed or for use in tanning units on sensitive skin; SPF 4, provides moderate sunburn protection; SPF 8, provides generous sunburn protection, yet still allows gradual tanning; SPF 15, absorbs essentially all of the sun's burning and tanning rays; and, SPF 30, provides the ultimate in UV protection and is great for kids and fair-skinned people.

For more information contact
MOST Products
326 W. Kalamazoo Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(616) 381-MOST (6678)
(800) 331-MOST (6678)

Tropical Seas, Inc.

Tropical Seas, Inc. offers Beach Buff SPF Lotions and Beach Buff SPF Oils.

Beach Buff SPF Lotions are available in SPF 4 Dark Tanning Lotion, SPF 8 Protective Tanning Lotion, SPF 15 Sun Screen Lotion and 30 Ulta Protection Sunblock. According to Tropical Seas, the dermatologist-tested SPF formula is PABA free, waterproof, sweatproof and contains no mineral oil.

The company also offers Beach Buff SPF 2 Protective Tanning Oil, SPF 4 Dark Tanning Oil and SPF 8 Protective Tanning Oil and Beach Buff SPF 6 Spray Gel. Additionally, Tropical Seas offers the dermatologist-tested Beach Buff Funky Duck SFP 15 and 30+ for children.

For more information contact
Tropical Seas, Inc.
P.O. Box 986
Daytona Beach, FL 32115
(800) 368-SEAS (7327)

Wild Tan

Wild Tan offers Silky Seal™ Skin Rejuvenator Creme with SPF 15. According to the company, Silky Seal is specially formulated with alpha hydroxy, which speeds up cell turnover and increases the rate of skin renewal; and, beta hydroxy, which works as an anti-radical scavenger and antimicrobial.

In addition, Silky Seal contains an active ingredient that binds moisture to the face to maintain vibrant skin tone, as well as two other ingredients designed for cell rejuvenation.

"These ingredients result in a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles," says a company spokesperson. "It also results in an overall age reducing appearance."

Finally, Silky Seal's SPF 15 protects the face from the harsh effects of the sun.

For more information contact
Wild Tan
5901 Bayview Circle, S.
Gulfport, FL 33707
(888) 711-4TAN (4826)

Desert Bronz Corp.

Desert Bronz Corp. offers "The Shields," hypoallergenic sunscreen formulas for individuals who want to enjoy the sun all day, as well as for children, fair-skinned individuals or early season protection.

The line includes Moisture Replenishing Sunshield 4, formulated to help achieve a good base tan with four times the user's natural skin protection; Moisture Replenishing Sunshield 8, formulated to help achieve a good base tan with eight times the user's natural skin protection; Sunshield 15, one-hour waterproof protection designed for gradual tanning; and, Sunshield 25, one hour waterproof protection for minimal tanning.

In addition, Desert Bronz offers Dark Tanning Spray Oil Sunshield 4, formulated for individuals who enjoy the look and feel of natural tanning oils in a sensible sunshield combination. It provides four times the user's natural sunburn protection, notes the company.

For more information contact
Desert Bronz Corp.
P.O. Box 97315
Las Vegas, NV 89193-7315
(702) 433-5052
(800) 679-1789