Tan Your Hide

The Truth About Tanning - from tanningtruth.com

Vitamin D boosts the immune system and improves cardiovascular health, as well as strengthens muscles, bones and teeth.

Experts now concede that health benefits emanating from sun exposure far outweigh the risks.
The use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 8 inhibits more than 95% of vitamin D production in the skin.
Sunscreen lotion is far more effective at blocking the vitamin D-producing UVB rays than it is at preventing a sunburn.
Moderate tanning, for individuals who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with either too much or too little sunlight.
Ultraviolet light exposure from the sun or from an indoor tanning unit is essential for human health, and getting it in a non-burning fashion is the smartest way.
Indoor tanning, if you can develop a tan, is an intelligent way to minimize the risk of sunburn while maximizing the enjoyment and benefit of having a tan.
We call this SMART TANNING because tanners are taught by trained tanning facility personnel how their skin type reacts to sunlight and how to avoid sunburn outdoors, as well as in a salon.
The professional indoor tanning industry promotes and teaches what we refer to as The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: Don't ever sunburn.
For the past decade, the indoor tanning industry has been more effective at teaching sunburn prevention than those who promote complete sun avoidance.
Since the mid-1990s, tanning industry research has supported what millions of indoor tanners have known all along: that non-tanners sunburn outdoors more often than people who tan indoors.
The professional indoor tanning salon industry is part of the solution in the ongoing battle against sunburn and in teaching people how to identify a proper and practical life-long skin care regimen.

A tan is the body's natural protection against sunburn. Your skin is designed to tan as a natural body function.

Every year, millions of indoor tanners successfully develop "base tans" before embarking on sunny vacations – tans that, combined with the proper use of sunscreen outdoors, help them prevent sunburn.
The body produces Vitamin D naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency has become a recognized epidemic in North America and overzealous sun protection practices likely have contributed to this.
In the United States, exposure times for every tanning session are established by a schedule present on every piece of equipment that takes into account the tanner's skin type and the intensity of the equipment to deliver a dosage of sunlight designed to minimize the risk of sunburn.
That kind of control is impossible outdoors, where variables including seasonality, time of day, weather conditions, reflective surfaces and altitude all make outdoor tanning a random act and sunburn prevention more difficult.
Tanning is your body's natural defense mechanism against sunburn, and indoor tanners have activated this defense against burning – a tan essentially multiplies the ability of sunscreen worn outdoors to do its job. That's one reason non-tanners are more vulnerable when they inevitably do go outdoors.
Indoor tanners are educated at professional tanning facilities how to avoid sunburn outdoors, how to use sunscreens appropriately and how to properly moisturize their skin.
When you also consider that the majority of people who sunburn are male, according to the AAD, and that 65-70 percent of indoor tanning customers are female, clearly, it is non-tanners who are doing most of the burning outdoors.
By teaching a "smart" approach to sunburn prevention that recognizes that people do perceive different benefits from being in the sun, we are able to teach sunburn prevention in a practical way that respects both the potential benefits and the risks of sun exposure.

New research on breast cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other deadly diseases — research that shows that regular sun exposure may play a key part in preventing the onset or retarding the growth of these deadly diseases.

Research has shown that people who utilize indoor tanning equipment that emits UVB – which most tanning equipment does – also produce vitamin D.
Studies have also shown that indoor tanning clients have higher vitamin D blood levels than non-tanners.
Saying that any ultraviolet light exposure causes skin damage is a dangerous oversimplification. It would be like saying that since water causes drowning, humans should avoid all water. Yes, water causes drowning, but our bodies also need water; we would die without it. Similarly, we need sun exposure; we would die without it.
Melanoma skin cancer is most common in people who work indoors – not in those who work outdoors.

Melanoma skin cancer occurs most often on parts of the body that are not regularly exposed to the sun.

18 of 22 studies examining melanoma and indoor tanning have shown no statistically significant association, including the most recent and largest study, which showed no connection at all.
Melanoma mortality rates in the United States are not rising among young women, but are increasing dramatically among older men, according to National Cancer Institute data. Yet the majority of the marketing message about this disease is directed at young women, who are the highest consumers of dermatological services.
Studies have shown that teens who tan in salons are less likely to sunburn outdoors compared to non-tanners.
83 percent of teenagers who tan indoors prior to taking sunny vacations report that their indoor tan, combined with the proper use of sunscreen, helped them to prevent sunburn.
72 percent of teenagers who currently tan indoors say they would simply tan more aggressively outdoors or purchase home tanning units – both of which are more likely to produce sunburns – if they were unable to utilize indoor tanning salons.
There is no data to suggest that tanning is more dangerous for any specific age group. Photobiology suggests that burning (not tanning) at an early age could increase risk later in life.

Indoor tanning facilities today are at the forefront in teaching teenagers outdoor sunburn prevention, including the proper use of sunscreens to prevent sunburn outdoors. If teenagers are denied access to indoor tanning, sunburn incidence will increase.

Research dermatologist Dr. Sam Shuster, professor emeritus to the Department of Dermatology at Newcastle University in northern England says that a tan is the body's natural protection against sunburn – a reality that has been all but stampeded under the establishment's rhetoric. "Unfortunately our attitude to sun and ultra-violet (UV) light is subject to much perverse and dubious technical 'advice', which society has passively accepted without questioning its provenance".
Boston University Professor Dr. Michael Holick is one of the world's leading authorities on vitamin D production. "Since some exposure to sunlight is beneficial to your health, it is reasonable that if you wish to be exposed to sunlight, that you can do so with relative safety if you make sure that you do not receive a sunburn".

Tanning lamps that emit some UVB light, and most of them do, have been shown by peer-reviewed research to stimulate vitamin D production in the skin and elevate blood levels of vitamin D in the body.

Your body is designed to process UV light, and in fact is reliant on UV exposure for natural body functions.
Tanning without burning is a significant risk factor for anything.

http://www.sunshinevitamin.org

Humans spend less time in the sun today than at any point in human history – which is why more than 1 billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient.

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/G_eneral_H_ealth_34/022202272008_Tanning_beds_help_vitamin_D_deficiency.shtml

Exposure to tanning bed irradiation increased pre-vitamin D at a linear rate of 1 percent per minute.
"Vitamin D deficiency is common in both children and adults worldwide," said Boston University Professor Dr. Michael Holick." Exposure to lamps that emit UVB radiation is an excellent source for producing vitamin D3 in the skin and is especially efficacious in patients with fat malabsortion syndromes."
Studies have suggested that high intake of vitamin D would drastically reduce risk of cancer.

People who live in regions with more sunlight have been found to have a lower incidence of death from ovarian, breast and colon cancers than those who live in places with less sunlight.
High fat diets have been linked to a higher incidence of the most common forms of skin cancer -- non-melanoma.
Sunlight and sun-tanning beds that emit UV-B are reliable sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for our bodies to use the calcium we get in our diet.
Sunlight and simulated sunlight "doses" are a successful treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as the "winter blues." Sunlight exposure has been found to improve low winter moods. Indoor lighting, on the other hand, is generally perceived by the brain as near darkness.
Exposure to bright light has been found to help alleviate some symptoms of Pre Menstrual Syndrome, such as mild depression and mood swings, irritability, physical discomfort, and social withdrawal.
Having well-synchronized circadian rhythms, or biological clock, results in a better quality sleep, daytime alertness, and optimal health in general. The more sunlight exposure you get during the day, the more in-sync with your environment your circadian rhythms will be.
"Doses" of sunlight or simulated sunlight timed carefully upon arrival in a new time zone, can re-set your body's biological clock resulting in less day time drowsiness and better quality nighttime sleep.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/guide/facts/indoor-vs-outdoor-tanning.htm

The lamps inside the indoor tanning equipment emit the same UV rays that the sun does.
UVA and UVB rays can be kept in the right proportion and their intensity , capable by indoor tanning, can be kept low. UVB produces Vitamin D in the skin and you can very easily glean its benefits.
Trained professionals attend to you in these indoor tanning salons and they know exactly what your skin type is and how much of radiation you need. They are required by law to maintain their equipment and standards and periodic checks are mandatory. So you can be sure that you are in safe hands.
Trained professionals make sure you apply the right lotion before you tan so in no case is your skin harmed.
Tanning is also like an immunization for sunburns. People who hide indoors are more likely to suffer sunburns than tanners.
Every tanning bed is equipped with a time setter that allows you to set the time period of the bed according to your comfort.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-products/artificial-tanning-products/indoor-tanning-benefits.htm

People suffering from osteoporosis or recovering from fractures are helped immensely by exposing themselves to artificial light in indoor tanning booths or saloons.
Indoor tanning is a tanning in a scientific and controlled manner.
In the US, the first indoor tanning facility was set up somewhere around the late 1970s. Today the indoor tanning industry has a gross turnover of over $5 billion dollars annually and is one of the most prized fitness and health routines or indulgences in the US.
Indoor tanning uses bulbs that emit UVA and UVB radiation. The composition of the two types of radiation in Indoor tanning can be changed to our preference. This control also helps to reduce the amount of skin cancer.
Indoor tanning helps generate Vitamin D, which is essential for our bones.
Indoor tanning is essential in warding off unwarranted diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and cancers of different types including that of the breast, ovary, bladder, prostate, uterus, or the kidney.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-tips/indoor-tanning/indoor-tanning-options.htm

The equipment in tanning beds carries special lamps that emit UV rays, the same that the sun does.
The radiation is well controlled and well proportioned in its constituents and is therefore safer than direct sunlight.
Sunless tanning spray is not caused by melanin nor does it need any radiation. The tan is caused by a chemical reaction between DHA and the amino acid lying in dead skin cells of the epidermis. As you can imagine, this is a very safe method of tanning. Since the skin sheds off dead cells often, the tan won't last for more than 3 days.
Bronzers are best when you need a 'one-day' fix. Be sure not to apply them under the clothes; they might rub off onto them.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-facts/popular-facts/why-use-indoor-tanning-lotions-when-tanning.htm

A Tanned skin is everybody's wish. It increases the sex appeal of a person.
Tanning, whether done outdoors or indoors, always results in loss of moisture from the skin. The intensity of light falling on the skin is almost the same in both the cases. This intensity is high enough to evaporate the moisture locked inside the skin. Hence, it is important to use a tanning lotion even when you are tanning indoors.
The biggest benefit which you can derive from tanning lotions is that they would help you retain the tan for a long period of time. A hydrated skin would not peel off rapidly and the tan would remain for a longer period of time.
Further, the vitamins and minerals present in most tanning lotions would also help the tanned color of your skin glow.
A hydrated skin always gets evenly tanned. An evenly tanned body is far better than an abruptly tanned one.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-products/artificial-tanning-products/get-indoor-tanning-products.htm

With no constraints for either time or affordability, you can just sit back, relax, and order a wide variety of indoor tanning products, from the comfort of your own home or tanning salon.
The tanning lotions are designed to amplify the effects of ultraviolet by using ingredients which boost melanin (pigment) production of the skin or increasing the blood flow which brings melanin to the surface. Though a slight tingling may be experienced, after application of the product, the lotions are safe and normally use ingredients like tea, natural oils, and active melanin.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-facts/popular-facts/the-history-of-indoor-tanning-beds.htm

In order to prevent the skin from the ultraviolet rays, indoor tanning beds are the best available option and these beds give a similar ultraviolet therapy to the light emitted from the sun.
The best part of these indoor tanning beds is that you can control the ultraviolet rays according to your need which is not possible with sun.
People use them to get an instant relief from any muscle pain and it provides relaxation to the tired muscles of the body to a large extent.
Every indoor tanning bed is equipped with a timer that allows you to pre-set the tanning time. This timer can be set for 5 to 40 minutes of tanning process. According to the experts, the average body tanning time is around 20 minutes but in some cases it can go up to 35 to 40 minutes.

Do's

Set specific exposure time- There might be exposure limits for your skin type. So, set the timer accordingly. Also remember that age is also a factor that needs to be considered.
Use safety goggles- If you are using the services of a tanning salon, do inquire whether they provide safety goggles or not. Also make sure that the goggles fit snugly and that the salon sterilizes the goggles after each use so as to prevent spread of eye infections.
Go for trusted tanning products only- A cheap tanning lotion could actually do a lot of damage. So, the key is that you must go for a tanning product that's branded and holds a good reputation. It is much safer to use!
With indoor tanning you can flaunt your perfect golden tan any time of the day, any time of the year, cloudy or gloomy. It's smart and it's safe if you follow the instructions.
The tanning beds tan by giving out the UVA rays from the lamps attached to the device and they try to give the glow to your skin.
The radiation amount of the ultraviolet rays is limited in amount and they penetrate perfectly to tan.
The adjustable auto timer stops the tan in time and thus excessive tanning is prevented.
In sun tanning, you cannot regulate the time and there lies the possibility of penetration of the UVA rays, causing problems for your skin.

Indoor tanning doesn't cause sunburns.

They reduce the tension of side effects and allow you to tan freely.
Sun tan need not give a thorough tan to your body but, in a tanning bed, the body is tanned uniformly.

http://www.easy-tanning.com/tanningbeds/tanning-products/artificial-tanning-products/change-your-personality-with-indoor-tanning-beds.htm

Tanning beds are designed and manufactured to prevent sunburns and overexposure to UV rays. The bulbs that are used do not emit UVB radiation, but only UVA radiation.
One of the features of a tanning bed is the auto timer that shuts the system off after a pre-set interval, preventing over exposure to the body.
A pair of especially designed and FDA approved goggles help to prevent damage to the eyes. These goggles are worn by the clients when they are using the tanning bed.
The use of tanning beds maximizes the  benefits of UV radiation and  minimizes the risks associated with excessive UV radiation such as sunburn, rashes and skin cancer.
The bulbs emit low intensity UV rays that are safe for the skin.
The tanning beds give the same natural tanning results that are provided by sunlight in a clean, convenient, and comfortable environment.
Indoor tanning lotions used at tanning booths are effective in preventing side effects of tanning like rashes, sunburn and help to prevent  penetration of UV rays, reducing the risk of any kind of skin disorder.
You can relax when you are using a tanning bed and even listen to music.
No matter what the critics may say, tanning is here to stay and is going to get increasingly popular.

Links & Articles Important for Tanners

Sunbeds Efficient at 'D' Production.

Tanning beds may be even more effective as a vitamin D producer than was previously believed. That's the consensus of research published by Dr. Michael Holick's group at Boston University. Holick's group studied 15 people aged 20-53, tracking their vitamin D blood levels as they tanned in tanning equipment three times a week. How'd they do?
50 percent higher vitamin D blood levels after one week of tanning.
150 percent higher vitamin D blood levels after 5 weeks of tanning.
Bottom line: Un-natural supplements can't do that! Not at over-the-counter levels. Consider: Three tanning sessions a week will deliver the equivalent of 30,000-75,000 international units of vitamin D (depending on skin type and other factors) – levels that cannot possibly be obtained through any other source. Even fresh salmon from the stream has a maximum of only 1,000 IU of vitamin D – not enough to move vitamin D blood levels nearly as much as tanning.
Vitamin D scientists now target vitamin D blood levels of 40-60 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter). Many vitamin D specialists now refer to these levels as "Natural Vitamin D levels" – amounts that are consistent only with natural outdoor living in sunny climates.
Previous research has shown that sunbed users, on average, have 90 percent higher vitamin D levels as compared to non-tanners, who are deficient today, according to vitamin D researchers.

Heart Disease Linked to Low 'D'

Yet another study has linked low levels of "The Sunshine Vitamin" with higher rates of heart disease and early death.
University of Kansas researchers, looking at more than 10,000 patients, found that 70 percent were vitamin D deficient and that those with D deficiency were at significantly higher risk for many forms of heart disease, Reuters Health reported.
The study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology. According to the study, vitamin D deficiency doubled the risk of early death, but correcting the deficiency lowered that risk by 60 percent, Reuters reported.
"We expected to see that there was a relationship between heart disease and vitamin D deficiency; we were surprised at how strong it was," Dr. James L. Vacek, a professor of cardiology at the University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Center, told Reuters Health. "It was so much more profound than we expected."
According to Reuters, "Vacek said he believes so many people are deficient because we should get about 90 percent of our Vitamin D from the sun and only about 10 percent from our food. The human body makes vitamin D in response to skin exposure to sunlight."
Diabetes was also more than two times as frequent in those with vitamin D deficiency in the study, along with high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy, according to Reuters.

A Challenge from Dr. Sorenson

As a founding director of the Breast Cancer Natural Prevention Foundation, I'd like to personally invite you and your business to take part in Natural Breast Cancer Prevention Month this May — a totally unique breast cancer awareness program designed to make a real-world difference right now in your community.
The bottom line is simple: You don't need to cure or detect what you can prevent. And the BCNPF is unique among cancer charities today because our mission is to teach natural and proven breast cancer prevention strategies that your friends, neighbors and customers can begin right now — today.
Where other cancer charities pour billions of dollars into detection and treatment programs, which are important, we feel those are secondary to what should be obvious: Detection isn't prevention, and when you can prevent something, detection is a lot like closing the barn door after the horses are gone.
It all starts with this simple fact: Vitamin D deficiency is now recognized as one of the most significant and preventable risk factors for breast cancer. And the amount of vitamin D humans need to be healthy is only naturally consistent with getting regular sun exposure — the most natural, reliable, abundant and neglected source of vitamin D.
There's enough research already in the bank to show us that maintaining natural vitamin D blood levels — levels achieved naturally by those who work outdoors — cuts breast cancer risk in half. That's because hundreds of clinical, laboratory, case-control, epidemiological and ecological studies now show that "The Sunshine Vitamin" regulates proper cell growth in every system in the body, and that vitamin D deficiency compromises this natural system, allowing cancer cells to develop and spread. The mechanism is understood – particularly in breast cancer.
To prevent breast cancer here's what else you need to understand: Vitamin D deficiency is sunlight deficiency. Because vitamin D is made most naturally and abundantly when skin is exposed to UVB in sunlight — and because humans today spend more time indoors and less time in the sun than at any point in history — vitamin D levels are declining and more than two out of three North American women are vitamin D deficient by natural standards, unnecessarily putting millions of women at an elevated risk for breast cancer.

Mercola: Tanning Prevents Cancer

The internet's most-read health-education web site is promoting indoor tanning as a healthy activity — pointing to a recent published medical review claiming the benefits of regular UV exposure far outweigh the risks associated with overexposure.
Mercola.com — the health-education web site run by Dr. Joseph Mercola — published an essay reviewing a peer-reviewed research paper in the journal Public Health Nutrition supported by the Norwegian Cancer Society arguing that the benefits of regular UV exposure outweigh the risks.
"It can be estimated that increased sun exposure to the Norwegian population might at worst result in 200-300 more melanoma deaths per year, but it would elevate the vitamin D status by about 25 nmol/l and might result in 4,000 fewer internal cancers and about 3,000 fewer cancer deaths overall," Dr. Johan Mohan and colleagues from the University of Oslo Department of Radiation Biology wrote in the Public Health Nutrition article. "The lack of sunlight exposure leads to more health problems than bone disease and increased risk of cancer. Other benefits include protection against infectious diseases and non-cancerous diseases (diabetes, CVD, multiple sclerosis, and mental disorders)."
According to the reviewers, "Due to the fear of skin cancer, health authorities warn against sun and sunbed exposure. This policy, as well as the recommended vitamin D doses, may need revision."
Mercola also pointed out that some journalists are picking up on the fact that the risks of UV exposure and sunbeds are not being communicated correctly by dermatology and many health care journalists. He points to a review by Dr. Ivan Oransky, M.D., editor of Reuters Health, showing that anti-sun naysayers are twisting the numbers. The largest study of sunbed users "found that less than three-tenths of 1 percent who tanned frequently developed melanoma while less than two-tenths of 1 percent who didn't tan developed melanoma."

Sun Scare Fuels Rickets Epidemic

Almost half of the 54,000 children who received check-ups at a Vietnamese nutrition clinic last year were afflicted with rickets because health authorities and parents have advised parents to keep their children out of the sun, a Vietnamese news service reported this week.
"According to statistics of the National Institute of Nutrition, 29.3 per cent of under-five-year-old children who received check-ups at the institute in 2007 suffered from rickets, a disease in which bone tissues don't properly mineralize, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. At that time, about 100 children were seen at the institute each day," Viet Nam Net reported last week. "By last year, the percentage reached 45.5 per cent, with 150 children receiving check-ups at the institute daily."
The news agency quoted two women who kept their children out of the sun to avoid sun damage. Both of their children developed rickets. "Now I regret my actions after doctors informed me my son has rickets and poorly shaped legs because of his lack of exposure to the sun," Nguyen Ha My, a mother from the northern port city of Hai Phong, told the news bureau.

Sunlight Cuts Stroke Risk: Study

A new study has yet another group of doctors questioning the all-out Sun Scare mantra, as it now appears that more frequent sun exposure may reduce your risk of suffering a stroke by up to 60 percent.
"We hear a lot about how sun may be bad for us, in terms of skin cancer for example," Dr. Leslie McClure, an associate professor of biostatistics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told HealthDay News. "But this examination of sunlight exposure indicates that there may be some positive results related to being in the sun."
The study, which has yet to be published, was presented at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting in New Orleans this month.

Sunlight may help Protect Your Child Against Chicken Pox

Get Your Vitamin D to healthy ranges

Sun Scare Article

Sunshine is free – it has no marketing department for its life-giving benefits. If a pharmaceutical company patented and sold sunshine, the public message we receive about it would be completely different. Instead, the professional indoor tanning community is the only entity in a position to challenge the $35 billion anti-UV industry's total sun abstinence messaging. This explains why indoor tanning is under attack from this powerful coalition of industries who profit from the exaggerated and largely unsubstantiated anti-UV message.

Cosmetic Dermatology

The cosmetic dermatology's powerful fear-based marketing message, which drives millions of customers into their offices, has helped grow their businesses by 320%. And the existence of the indoor tanning industry is competitive to dermatology's multibillion-dollar phototherapy industry. Consider, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology:

In 1993, 873,000 phototherapy sessions were delivered in dermatology offices in the U.S. By 1998, sessions had fallen off 94 percent to just 53,000.

The cost of a single phototherapy session – which utilizes indoor tanning equipment in a dermatologist's office – is nearly $100 per session, about 20 times more than an indoor tanning session. An estimated 1.5 million indoor tanning clients today successfully treat psoriasis in indoor tanning facilities.

If tanning salons were closed, the cosmetic dermatology industry would gain up to $5 billion in phototherapy sessions which would be charged to health insurance companies and the Medicare system. (According to dermatology's own reports, psoriasis patients average 35 sessions per year at an estimated average of $85 per session.)

The dermatology industry is in a hypocritical position when it comes to indoor tanning:

According to the phototherapy industry's own practices, dermatologists use sunburning dosages of UV light for the clinical treatment of psoriasis, a non-life threatening disease. If any UV exposure were as dangerous as a recent statement from the AAD claims, then dermatologists would be guilty of violating their Hippocratic oath for using UV in burning dosages to treat purely cosmetic skin conditions.

The American Academy of Dermatology and other skin-care groups get much of their marketing budget directly from the chemical sunscreen industry. The AAD receives millions for putting endorsement logos on chemical sunscreen products – a much-criticized "pay for play" program.

Chemical Sunscreen Industry

Chemical sunscreen is mis-marketed as a daily use product – as a "fear-based purchase" – designed to be worn 365 days a year (in daily cosmetics for women) – which has turned chemical sunscreen into a $5-6 billion business controlled by a handful of major players. Sunscreen also block as much as 99% of vitamin D production. Consider:

Sunscreen does not prevent melanoma, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which makes policy recommendations for the federal government, "The evidence is insufficient to recommend sunscreens for the prevention of skin cancer."

According to the independent Environmental Working Group – a consumer watchdog group that has analyzed hundreds of sunscreen ingredients, "Most sunscreen chemicals are far from innocuous. In sunlight, some release free radicals that can damage DNA and cells, promote skin aging and possibly raise risks for skin cancer. Some act like estrogen and may disrupt normal hormone signaling in the body. Others may build up in the body and the environment."

A 2008 Centers for Disease Control study showed that 97 percent of Americans have the sunscreen active ingredient oxybenzone in our urine. This ingredient has been linked to killing coral reefs, changing the gender in fish and potentially causing cancer.

Chemical Sunscreen manufacturers are not allowed to advertise that chemical sunscreen prevents melanoma. So chemical sunscreen companies pay Dermatology groups millions of dollars to endorse their product and make that claim on their behalf. The AAD received an estimated $6-8 million in 2009 to help misbrand chemical sunscreen as a daily-use product.

The Skin Cancer Foundation is a marketing front group organized by sunscreen manufacturers to create a "Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Approval" which appears on sunscreen products to convince consumers into thinking their products prevent melanoma, which they are not allowed to claim themselves.

Tanning FAQ's

I'm on a VIP membership, what if I want to cancel?

Unfortunately the VIP membership (6 mo-10 months) can not be cancelled. This is a 6 mo-10 month commitment.

I have military PCS orders can I cancel:

Yes with valid PCS orders turned in or emailed to us, you may cancel for $50.00 They must be approved first.

My payment didn't clear this month, who can I contact to get caught up, and give new auto payment info to?

You may contact the store you signed up with and ask for the Manager. If we need a new account you will need to stop in to fill out the papers, and there is a $5.00 fee.

Should I wear spf when I tan in the tanning beds?

No. the beds light is already blocking out much of the rays that you would get outside. So being in this controlled atmosphere and a tan time of around 6-12 minutes, you do not need or want to wear any spf.

Can I wear outside tanning lotions in the beds?

No. The outdoor lotions are not meant for use in tanning beds. We carry lines that are specific to the tanning beds and their rays. They enhance and deepen the tan, while providing moisture and important nutrients to your skin. The outdoor lotions are also damaging to our beds.

Do I really need tanning lotions?

We recommend to get the full benefit of the membership and the tanning that you definitely use our lotions. They are the highest quality and we offer then at very affordable pricing. They work with our equipment to enhance, deepen, and beautify your tan. There are different types for beginning tanners, as well as long time tanners. Ask our tanning professionals for the best one for you.

Stand up verses lay down units:

Our stand ups are in our level 3 category, and are excellent for the following:
* A quick 12 minute tan for lunch, or after or before work
* They offer 180-200 watt bulbs for a quick deep tan
* Dance while you tan and get your exercise at the same time
* Very intense cooling systems, and some are I pod compatible

Can I transfer a VIP membership?

If you are paying for your self or your self and someone else, we can do a transfer with he following completed first:
1. There is a $20.00 transfer fee payable in the store
2. The full name and date of birth of the new person you are transferring to.
3. A letter or email from you stating that you are still responsible for the payments until the membership is expired.

If I am not using my membership do I have to keep paying for it if I am on monthly payments?

Yes the payments continue, but you can stop in to any Tan Your Hide location and put a freeze on the time, for up to two months.

Can I freeze my membership?

You have a freeze benefit and option on any 6 month to 10 month membership. You may freeze it for a minimum of 7 days and max of 2 months. You will need to sign our freeze document.
We do allow longer freeze time with documentation of a pregnancy, or military TDY. With a pregnancy we can also allow a change to the sunless spray tan membership.

Mystic tan FAQ's

WHAT IS MYSTIC TAN ®?

IT'S A PRIVATE, SELF-CONTAINED SYSTEM THAT EMPLOYS A PATENTED REVOLUTIONARY SPRAY ON PROCESS THAT USES SWEEPING SIDE TO SIDE AIRBRUSH MOTION, AND MAGNETAN® TECHNOLOGY, TO APPLY UNIFORM AMOUNTS OF MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST™ TO THE ENTIRE BODY IN JUST SECONDS.
  THE MYSTIC TAN SYSTEM UTILIZES PERSONAL SINGLE USE CARTRIDGES AND ADDITIVES THAT CAN BE BLENDED TO CREATE THE PERFECT COMBINATION FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND DESIRED RESULTS.
SYSTEMS EQUIPPED W/HD TECHNOLOGY:
HD TECHNOLOGY ADDS HEAT TO YOUR TANNING EXPERIENCE, PLUS AN ADDED DRYING FEATURE DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS. HEATING CONDITIONS THE SKIN FOR MAXIMUM ABSORPTION AND PROVIDES A MORE INVITING EXPERIENCE.

WHAT IS MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™?

THE MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYSTS ARE PATENTED SELF-TANNING FORMULATIONS DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR USE IN MYSTIC TAN® SYSTEMS. OUR SUNLESS TANNING FORMULATIONS CONTAIN DHA, THE FDA APPROVED ACTIVE INGREDIENT THAT PRODUCES THE LONG-TERM TAN EFFECT. WHEN APPLIED, DHA REACTS WITH THE PROTEINS IN THE SKIN'S SUPERFICIAL LAYER TO FORM A GOLDEN BROWN COLOR. YOUR SKIN BEGINS TO DARKEN TWO TO THREE HOURS AFTER APPLICATION AND REACHES ITS PEAK COLOR WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE COLOR WILL GRADUALLY FADE THROUGH NATURAL EXFOLIATION, JUST LIKE A TAN FROM THE SUN. 
MYSTIC TAN OFFERS SEVERAL CHOICES OF TANNING MYST IN CLEAR FORMULATIONS. IF AN INSTANT TAN IS DESIRED, ADD MYSTIC'S BRONZER ADDITIVES. THESE ARE WATER SOLUBLE, BRONZING COSMETICS THAT PRODUCE AN INSTANT TAN. THE BRONZER IS A TEMPORARY COSMETIC COLOR THAT WASHES OFF IN THE SHOWER OR BATH WITHOUT AFFECTING YOUR ULTIMATE TAN.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR IN THE MYSTIC TAN ®?

MOST PEOPLE WEAR NOTHING. SINCE THE ROOM IS COMPLETELY PRIVATE, GOING FOR AN ALL-OVER TREATMENT IS COMPLETELY UP TO YOU. HOWEVER, IF YOU DO WEAR A BATHING SUIT OR UNDERWEAR, PLEASE NOTE THAT IT MAY BECOME STAINED. THE INSTA-COLOR BRONZER™ USED IN THE BRONZER ADDITIVES IS WATER-SOLUBLE AND SHOULD WASH OUT, BUT THE DHA MAY PERMANENTLY STAIN WHAT YOU WEAR DURING THE TANNING SESSION.

SHOULD I COVER MY HAIR WHILE TANNING IN THE MYSTIC TAN ®?

MANY CUSTOMERS WEAR A DISPOSABLE SHOWER CAP, PROVIDED BY THE SALON, TO KEEP HAIR DRY. OTHER CUSTOMERS CHOOSE TO GET THEIR TREATMENT WITHOUT COVERING THEIR HAIR. THE MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST™ DOES NOT PENETRATE THE HAIR FOLLICLE. HOWEVER, IF YOU USE A BRONZER ADDITIVE AND HAVE VERY LIGHT OR WHITE HAIR, IT MAY BECOME TEMPORARILY STAINED.

WILL MY SKIN BE WET WHEN I STEP OUT OF THE MYSTIC TAN ®?

IF ANY EXCESS MOISTURE REMAINS ON THE SKIN'S SURFACE AFTER THE SESSION, SIMPLY USE A TOWEL TO REMOVE IT, TOWEL OFF COMPLETELY JUST AS YOU DO WHEN YOU SHOWER. THIS WON'T STREAK YOUR TAN. (SYSTEMS EQUIPPED W/HD TECHNOLOGY MINIMIZES THE NEED TO TOWEL OFF AFTER EACH SESSION).

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT AFTER A SESSION BEFORE SHOWERING?

TO GIVE THE DHA ENOUGH TIME TO FULLY SET, WE RECOMMEND WAITING A MINIMUM OF 4 HOURS AFTER A MYSTIC TAN ® SESSION. SHOWERING SOONER MAY DIMINISH THE INTENSITY OF THE TAN. IF YOU TANNED USING A BRONZER ADDITIVE, THE INSTA-COLOR BRONZER ™ WILL WASH OFF IN THE SHOWER, BUT THE DHA THAT CREATES YOUR LONGER-LASTING TAN WILL REMAIN. 

WILL SWIMMING AFFECT MY TAN?

SWIMMING IN CHLORINATED WATER OR SALT WATER CAN FADE THE MYSTIC TAN® RESULTS, CAUSE POSSIBLE STREAKING AND WILL DIMINISH THE LENGTH OF YOUR TAN. HOWEVER, NORMAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BATHING, SHOWERING OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WILL NOT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF THE TAN.

WILL MY SKIN LOOK ORANGE?

NOT AT ALL. BEFORE MYSTIC TAN ®, MOST SELF-TANNERS WERE CREAMS AND LOTIONS APPLIED BY HAND. THAT MEANT INCONSISTENT COVERAGE. TOO MUCH LOTION APPLIED IN ONE PLACE LEFT THE SKIN LOOKING ORANGE. NOT ENOUGH LOTION LEFT UNATTRACTIVE STREAKS. MYSTIC'S MAGNETAN ™ TECHNOLOGY ENSURES THAT A UNIFORM MICRO-SPRAY OF MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™ COVERS THE ENTIRE BODY IN THE EXACT AMOUNT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE A SMOOTH, EVEN, NATURAL-LOOKING TAN.

DOES MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™ HAVE ANY SMELL AFTER CONTACT WITH MY SKIN?

SOME PEOPLE NOTICE A SLIGHT STARCHY SMELL ON THEIR SKIN A FEW HOURS AFTER A TANNING SESSION. THIS IS SIMPLY THE DHA REACTING TO PROTEINS IN YOUR SKIN AND IT FADES AWAY FAIRLY QUICKLY.

HAS ANYONE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™?

THE COMPONENTS WE USE IN OUR MYST HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY USED IN COSMETICS AND FOOD PRODUCTS FOR DECADES, AND ARE PROVEN SAFE FOR USE ON THE SKIN. IF YOU'VE HAD PREVIOUS ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO SELF-TANNING LOTIONS OR COSMETICS, YOU MAY WANT TO DO A "PATCH TEST" FIRST. PUT A SMALL AMOUNT OF MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ON A SMALL AREA OF YOUR SKIN TO TEST FOR POSSIBLE REACTIONS.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™ FORMULATIONS GET IN MY EYES? 

MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST FORMULATIONS HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY TESTED BY A THIRD-PARTY LAB AND THE RESULTS SHOWED NO EYE OR SKIN IRRITATION. MORE THAN 20 MILLION MYSTIC SESSIONS OCCUR EACH YEAR, WITH NO ADVERSE REACTIONS DOCUMENTED. HOWEVER, PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR IS PROVIDED BY THE SALON SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE IT.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I INHALE ANY OF THE MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST ™?

WHILE NO ONE SHOULD PURPOSELY INHALE OR INGEST THE MYSTIC TAN TANNING MYST, IT IS KNOWN THAT DHA (THE ACTIVE TANNING INGREDIENT) IS A NON- HAZARDOUS COMPOUND AND CAUSES NO ADVERSE REACTION IN MODERATE QUANTITIES WHEN APPLIED TOPICALLY OR EVEN INGESTED. DHA HAS BEEN USED AS A DIET SUPPLEMENT IN SPORTS NUTRITION AND IS NON-CARCINOGENIC. TESTING HAS FURTHER SHOWN THAT DHA IS LESS TOXIC THAN ASPIRIN, CAFFEINE AND EVEN COMMON TABLE SALT. BASED ON OUR RESEARCH, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF DHA THAT COULD ACCIDENTALLY BE INGESTED OR BREATHED DURING A ONE MINUTE MYSTIC TAN SUNLESS TANNING SESSION WOULD BE .05 MILLIGRAMS (EQUIVALENT TO LESS THAN ONE GRAIN OF COMMON TABLE SALT). INGESTING THIS MINIMAL AMOUNT OF DHA SHOULD POSE NO HEALTH RISK TO THE CONSUMER.  HOWEVER, NOSE FILTERS ARE PROVIDED BY THE SALON SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE THEM.

ARE THERE WAYS TO ENHANCE THE MYSTIC TAN ® RESULTS? 

YES, THE MYSTIC TAN PRODUCT LINE FEATURES INGREDIENTS THAT ARE SPECIALLY FORMULATED FOR SUNLESS TANNING. OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS ARE NOT FORMULATED FOR SUNLESS TANNING. THEY MAY BLOCK THE TAN'S APPLICATION AND IMPEDE THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. CHECK OUT MYSTIC'S COMPLETE LINE OF PRODUCTS, DESIGNED TO PROLONG, PROTECT AND ENHANCE YOUR SUNLESS TANNING EXPERIENCE.

Evolv FAQ's:

What is Evolv Sidekick's Heated Airbrush Tanning, and how does it work?

Heated application is Sunless, Inc's latest breakthrough in Sunless Tanning Technology. The Evolv Sidekick utilizes this technology by producing a truly one-of-a-kind, first-ever heated Airbrush Tanning Experience. Evolv Sidekick's heated application process is delivered two ways; by preparing your skin and keeping you dry with a gentle flow of warm air, and by infusing heat directly into the tanning spray, creating an airbrush application you can barely feel being applied.
Once the Evolv Heated Airbrush Tanning Solution is applied, the active ingredients, DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) and Erythrulose start working with the amino acids in your skin's outermost layer to create the custom color you desire!

How should I prepare for my Evolv Heating Airbrush Tanning Session?

Preparing for your Evolv Heating Airbrush Tanning Session can be done in 2 easy steps:
1) Exfoliate and shave the day before or the day of your Airbrush Tanning Session. (The day before is preferred) Ask about the NEW Evolv Body Scrub Take-Home Product to maximize your Airbrush Tanning Results!
2) The day of your Airbrush Tanning Session refrain from using moisturizers, perfumes, lotions, oils or deodorants that may create a barrier between your skin and the Airbrush Tanning Solution. (You may resume using these after your first shower or bath)

How should I take care of my Jaw-Dropping Evolv Heated Airbrush Tan?

After your Evolv Heated Airbrush Tanning Session is complete it is recommended to wait at least 4 hours (6-8 hrs for darker, longer-lasting results) before showering or bathing. NOTE: It is not recommended to participate in any activities that may cause you to perspire excessively before your first shower.
To maintain your Evolv Airbrush Tan, use non abrasive soaps or gels, and do not exfoliate for at least 5-7 days. After each shower it is recommended to use an approved Daily Moisturizer which contains active ingredients to enhance, and prolong the life and depth of your tan.
Ask about the NEW Evolv Daily Glo Moisturizer to maximize your Airbrush Tanning Results!

How long will my Evolv Airbrush Tan last?

The life of your sunless color can last up to 8 days, depending on the type and amount of solution applied and pre- and post-application skincare. decrease the length of time your Airbrush Tanning Results will last.

How do I prepare if I've booked an Evolv Mobile Airbrush Tanning Session?

You will need to have a place for the mobile technician to setup a spray tan tent and a vent fan. These items can fit easily in most bathrooms or bedrooms if needed. Access to a standard 110v outlet is required. The mobile technician will also bring an Evolv backdrop to prevent overspray from collecting in your home.

Beauty Angel FAQ:

What is the Beauty Angel used for?

The Beauty Angel is used to
1. Stimulate Collagen and Elastin Production
2. Increase circulation, Metabolism, Firm Muscles and Tone the skin
3. Hydrate the Skin and enhance the processes and effects of hydrated skin

What does increased collagen do for the skin through the Beauty Angel?

Collagen is responsible for the skins firmness, suppleness (flexibility), moisture content and the cells ability to renew. Loss of collagen can lead to cellulite, dry skin, uneven sin tone, dull hair, dry or cracked nails and more.

How does The Beauty Angel aide in increased circulation, Metabolism, Firmer Muscles and Toned skin?

Vibra-Shape Exercise Technology. Firm and Tone muscles while you stand on the motion plate. 4 different levels and voice activated. Targets muscle groups.

How does The Beauty Angel Hydrate the Skin?

Through the use of special lotions, moisturizes and hydrators, in conjunction with use of the red light therapy technology, they help complete and enhance the processes and effects of hydrated skin.

Is Beauty Angel Safe?

The Beauty Angel is a natural way for your body to repair and replenish itself without pills, injections, surgery or chemicals. It is 100% safe.

What is the average use program for The Beauty Angel?

12 minute sessions, 2-3 times per week for 30–90 days, for an initial program. Noticeable results after 30 days followed by gradual cumulative process. Weekly maintenance sessions are advised. We recommend lotions before and after use for maximum benefits.

Who benefits from Beauty Angel?

The Beauty Angel is ideal for all ages, men and women, all lifestyles, all levels of activity, all skin types and all body types. The process is quick and easily fits into any routine.