Easy Tanning

While sun-bathing is a free way to get that much wanted tanned skin, the chances of skin cancer and sunburns have rapidly increased in the last decade. Indoor tanning facilities seem to have benefited from this. They now do great business and like all other businesses are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission and other local and state regulations.

Why Indoor Tanning Should Be Regulated?
Tanning is a process in which the skin is subjected to artificial coloration. The color change takes place intrinsically as the levels of the darkening pigment melanin are artificially increased. Since this is a cosmetic treatment undertaken at a dedicated facility, it is fair to regulate indoor tanning facilities as just another business establishment.

Is Regulation Necessary?
The answer is "Yes". Though it is claimed that tanning helps in the development of essential Vitamin D in the body, the skin could also face the risk of developing skin cancer. Because of the gullibility of salon owners who promoted tanning salons as a type of healthcare destination, individuals were subjected to increased levels of UV light which induced skin cancer. Hence, federal and state laws were devised to regulate the use of tanning devices.

Regulating indoor tanning facilities is also necessary from the point of customer satisfaction. The skin is exposed to artificially-produced Ultraviolet rays during the course of tanning. There has to be some accountability on behalf of those running the tanning salon to ensure that UV radiation levels are within the permissible levels and that the customer gets what he/she wants.

What All Is Regulated Within A Tanning Salon?
The entire tanning salon earns its business through UV tanning lamps. Hence, these radiation emitting devices are the first things to get regulated. According to regulations, the power of these tanning lamps can not go beyond a specific limit.

Further, these UV lamps work in conjunction with a timer. The timer controls the amount of exposure given to a skin. Less exposure would not tan the skin (which is unethical business practice) and more exposure can result in skin cancer (breach of customer-vendor faith). Hence, it becomes important to regulate these timer devices as well. Accordingly, the timer device is regulated so that it exposes a client's skin only for the appropriate period of time.

What Should You Do When Visiting A Tanning Salon?
Though the responsibility of a safe tan is that of the salon manager, you should also chip in to get a safe tan. To begin, whenever you go to a tanning salon, you should ask the salon manager to ensure that the timer device is fully functional. And, do not forget to ask for certified protective accessories to be used during the duration of tanning.

Thus, with all the regulations in place, indoor tanning is a safe and fashionable option open to all.