Posts Tagged ‘Indoor Tanning Association’

Nearly a year ago, when the world’s largest tanning bed manufacturer debuted a new line of sleek and high-tech tanning beds at the country’s largest tanning trade show, salon owners were highly impressed.

ETS Tan’s e3 tanning beds have raised the bar in the tanning industry, said Don Olevnik, who owns seven Dark Tan tanning salons in upper New York. “They produce a better tan for my clients than other beds on the market and they’re highly efficient and cost effective for my salons,” he said. “e3 tanning beds have that wow factor that instantly attracts customers. Once they experience how these beds perform, they’re even more astonished.”

Salon owners throughout the country are echoing Olevnik’s thoughts on ETS Tan’s e3 bed line. e3 technology was designed to save space and add style to salons while decreasing the costs associated with powering the beds. The beds feature a more compact design and are equipped with mood lighting, MP3 inputs and easy-to-use controls. e3 beds also feature electronic ballasts that reduce energy consumption and lower electricity costs by up to 30 percent and eco-friendly Wolff Systems lamps. “The response from tanners and salon owners to our e3 line of beds has truly been overwhelming,” said ETS Tan CEO Bill Pipp. “The line was designed to deliver a superior tan with top amenities to the customer while arming salon owners with the latest in energy-saving science, ergonomic design and eco-friendly lamp configurations to lower their operating costs and increase their profits. We’ve accomplished that. Now, we’ve set our sights on the next generation of new technology.”

ETS Tan will debut that new technology for 2011 at the 15th annual Smart Tan Convention and Trade Show Oct. 22-24 in Nashville, Tenn. The event, at the Downtown Nashville Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, draws thousands of salon owners, industry suppliers and entrepreneurs together from throughout the nation. Pipp only offers a hint at what that technology is. “We know we have a great product in our e3 line of tanning beds. We will be delivering even more energy-saving science to salon owners who choose ETS Tan that will help them save space, add style to their operations and increase their profitability.”

From the Indoor Tanning Association
The results of a new study reported today in “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention” are contradictory.

A study out just two weeks ago from the MD Anderson Cancer Center found that UVA light does not cause melanoma. Another study out this week claims that most sunscreens could actually promote the growth of skin cancers because they contain Vitamin A. A study from a research affiliate of the Harvard medical school found that tanning offers protection against melanomas. And, a number of other studies and experts also tout the cancer-fighting benefits of Vitamin D, which is produced by the skin with moderate UV exposure.

So clearly, lots of studies are reaching far different conclusions. These other findings may not be promoted to the media as actively as those who may have a specific agenda, but they show that science is still wrestling with this issue and there’s certainly still more to learn.

We at the Indoor Tanning Association welcome a more complete body of research that will allow us to advise our customers how to achieve their goals without unnecessary risk of over exposure. As for the study published in the  journal, the researchers averaged a group of people with the highest risk of melanoma (very fair skin and those with moles) with the general population and then concluded the risk applies to everyone. But it doesn’t.

Independent scientists have reviewed this study and noted that when you remove the high-risk groups, there may be a reduced risk for tanning bed users.

When you look at the greatest risk factors identified in this study, tanning isn’t even one of the top factors noted. The number of moles a subject had, how fair their skin was and the color of their hair were all stronger indicators of their risk of melanoma. And even if you were to accept their risk factors, their study says the risk is about 1 in 5,000 that someone might develop a melanoma. Other scientists believe the risk actually is far lower than that.

When reputable researchers are coming to vastly different conclusions, it’s clear that a lot more research is needed. As various legislative bodies consider this issue, the science on both sides of the question needs to be weighed before consideration is given to any sweeping policy changes. Any potential regulation that would affect millions of people who have tanned for years with no ill effects needs to consider all of the risk factors in a completely unbiased manner.