The California Indoor Tanning Trade Organization (CITTO) is bracing for change, helping salon owners in The Golden State to prepare for proper implementation of the new UV minimum age.
Effective Jan. 1, 2012, the minimum age for UV-light tanning in California will increase to 18. (There is no age limit on UV-free spray tanning.) CITTO recommends that if they haven't already, salons should immediately begin to prepare their staff and clientele – especially those ages 14 to 17 years old – for this change.
As a reminder:
• Salons will no longer need to collect parental consent forms. However, they should hang on to any forms previously collected, in the event they need to refer to their record-keeping efforts prior to the change.
• Businesses should adjust their salon software accordingly to prevent any problems.
No doubt, news outlets may be checking in with salons to gauge the change's impact. In addition, salon owners should ensure all staff are prepared to deal with underage tanners, particularly in the event of undercover investigative reports.
Customers looking to tan in 2012 need to have a birth year of 1994 or earlier (of the corresponding month/day of service) to be of legal age for UV tanning. CITTO suggests creating a salon policy of carding those 21 and younger to ensure proper age verification is taking place.
