Tanning Salon Training

• How does this training session help me and my business?

• Increased knowledge means improved customer satisfaction and customer service

• Happy customers mean repeat business• Improved business practices-record keeping and

regulatory compliance• Increased safety limits the risk to you and the

consumer

Pretest Questions

• How do UV rays cause tans?• How many “skin types” are there?• Do customers always have to wear eye

protection?• A teenager enters your business. What steps

should be taken before allowing them to tan?

• What is a photosensitizing agent?

The Skin

• The skin consists of three layers• Uppermost is the Epidermis

This is where Melanin is produced and tanning occurs

• The second layer is the DermisHair follicles, sweat glands, blood vessels and nerves are found here.

• Subcutaneous layer is the bottom most. Fat deposits are here. Temperature regulation and protection are its jobs.

Cross Section of Human Skin

The Six Skin Types

• Type 1 lightest complexion

• Type 2 burns easily/rarely tans

• Type 3 moderate burns/gradual tan

• Type 4 minimal burn/moderate brown tan

• Type 5 rarely burns/deep brown tan

• Type 6 never burns/tans deeply

Type 1

• Lightest skin

• Never tans and always burns

• Characterized by red hair and freckles

• Very high risk for burning even with short session

• SHOULD NOT BE TANNING

Type 1

Type 2

• Burns easily

• Almost never tans

• When tanned it is minimal

• Fair hair and skin

• Blonde hair

• Blue, green and grey eyes

• Northern European

Type 2

Type 3

• Burns moderately easily

• Tans gradually over time

• Full tan is still only moderately brown

• Average Caucasian

Type 3

Type 4

• Burns minimally

• Always tans well to moderately brown

• Olive skin

• Mediterranean

• Latin American

Type 4

Type 5

• Rarely burns

• Tans profusely to dark brown

• Middle East

• Pacific Island

• Light complexion African American

• Native American

Type 5

Type 6

• Never burns

• Tans darkly

• Deeply pigmented skin

• Aborigine

• Dark complexion African Americans

Type 6

The Sun and UV Rays

UV-A Rays

• Approximately 95% of natural sunlight is composed of UV-A rays.

• Tanning lamps primarily produce UV-A rays.• Because of this, generally results in quick tans or

burns.• These results are generally short lived.• Development of base tan is minimal due to quick

tan/burn characteristic.

UV-B Rays

• Present in approximately only 5% of natural sunlight.

• Causes slower tanning/burn, but results last longer.

• UV-B rays do help develop base tan.

• UV-B base tan is equivalent to approximately 3-5 SPF.

UV-C Rays

• UV-C rays are not present in tanning lamps.

• UV-C rays are filtered by the ozone layer so they are not present in natural sunlight reaching earth.

Health Risks of Tanning

2 Types of Skin Cancer

• Basal/Squamous cell.

• Routinely found on regularly exposed skin-nose, cheeks and ears.

• Result of cumulative, life-long exposure.

• Research pointing to early, intense exposures.

• Melanomas• Generally found on

areas not regularly exposed to sunlight-purposeful exposure-tanning

• 79% mortality rate, much greater than basal and squamous cell

Incidence of Basal/Squamous Cell vs. Melanomas

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1st Qtr

Basal/SquamousMelanomas

Mortality Rates of Basal/Squamous vs. Melanomas

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

1st Qtr

Basal/SquamousMelanomas

Basal Cell

Squamous Cell

Melanoma

Melanoma

Eye Injuries Associated with Tanning

• Cataracts• A cloudlike film covering the eye resulting in

vision loss.• Caused by repeated exposure to UV rays• Eyelids only block about 25% of UV rays so

clients must wear appropriate eye protection• Corneal Burns• Temporary blindness and discomfort caused by

intense UV exposure.

Vision with Cataracts

Differences between Tanning Lamps and Natural Sunlight

• Low Pressure lamps are about 5 times stronger than natural sunlight.

• High Pressure lamps are approximately 20-100 times stronger than the sun.

• A newly installed bulb (first 50 hours of its life) requires at least a 20 % reduction in exposure schedule.

Operator/Training Requirements

Safe Practices

• Use and closely follow bulb manufacturer’s FDA approved schedule for tanning times.

• Prominently display a current and up to date list of photosensitizing agents for all customers to see.

• Have an understanding of skin types and profiles.• Think safety at all times. Make decisions based on

your knowledge and training. Protect the customer from themselves.

Special Requirements for Minors• Children less than 14 years old require the presence

of a parent or legal guardian every time they tan.• Children 14 to 17 require the signed informed

consent of a parent or legal guardian before tanning for the first time.

• Informed consent means they have been made aware of the risks of tanning. This consent needs to be witnessed and signed by a third party, preferably the operator of the salon.

• Signed waivers are to be kept on file for three years.

Post Test

1. A person enters your establishment asking to tan. You

assess them as having type 1 skin. Should you allow them to tan? What is the rationale for

your decision?

2. How many layers of skin does a person have?

3. During the tanning process the skin makes a product that gives the skin a darker appearance.

What is this product known as?

4.A client who is about to begin a tanning session says they don’t

want to use eye protection due to concerns about “raccoon eyes”. Should you allow them to tan

without protection? What facts do you now have that may convince them to use eye

protection?

5. A teenager enters your establishment and asks to tan. What should be done prior to

allowing this individual to tan? If this individual is allowed to tan, what records need to be kept on

file and for how long?