Responsible Tanning

Today, more than ever before, it is essential to adopt a responsible approach to safer tanning Island Sun Tanning has achieved it's position as a premier in indoor tanning through concentrating on a safer, healthier approach, not just to tanning, but all round skin care. Our machines designed to provide you with the very best and fastest tan possible from any indoor tanning system . Our tanning booths are time controlled reducing the risk of over exposure, our trained staff are on hand at all times to give the right tanning advice to all our customers, whatever their skin type.

At Island Sun Tanning, responsible tanning is promoted at all times and therefore we operate to high standards that we have imposed on ourselves

Why use a tanning lotion when indoors?
Using a lotion while tanning in a salon is equally important as when tanning outdoors, but operates on a different premise. While tanning delivers the highly desirable color and relaxing benefits that tanners seek, the heated environment of the tanning bed can be very drying to the skin.

Throughout the tanning process, it is very important to replenish the skin with moisture and nutrients. Using a lotion that is specifically formulated for indoor tanning use with hydrating and skin-repairing ingredients is essential for proper skin care and to help achieve a healthier-looking, longer-lasting tan.

Indoor tanners should diligently and carefully apply these lotions both before AND after tanning. The type of lotion used is also important, and varies by the method of tanning one chooses as well as by skin type. Cheaplotion offers a complete range of indoor tanning products, specifically developed for use with tanning beds. These indoor tanning products have the following characteristics:

* Contain more advanced ingredients than most outdoor tanning products
* . Deliver the extra skin care benefits essential to indoor tanners due to a high content of hydrating skin conditioners that help restore lost nutrients and condition the skin
* . Incorporate specially designed tanning technologies that help encourage the tanning process for the appearance of richer, longer-lasting results.

Tanning Facts:
Fact #1: Sun exposure could actually help prevent cancer.
Evidence: It's true. Studies indicating that this relationship exists need to be considered. Many different researchers have shown that regular moderate sun exposure may play a role in preventing several kinds of cancers, including colon and breast cancers, which claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Several studies have shown that Vitamin D, whose only reliable source for humans comes from sunshine, may play a role in retarding or arresting pre-cancerous cells in the body from reproducing. Indeed, we have known for decades that overall cancer rates are significantly higher in sun-deprived parts of the world.

Fact #2: The benefits of sun exposure far outweigh the risks of sunburn and overexposure.
Evidence: Do the math. Non-melanoma skin cancer, which may be linked to sunburn and overexposure to ultraviolet light, has an extremely low death rate of 0.3 percent and claims 1,200 lives a year in the United States. Compare that to diseases that can be inhibited by regular sun exposure. Colon and breast cancers, both of which may be inhibited by regular ultraviolet light exposure, have high death rates of 20-65 percent and claim 138,000 lives every year. Osteoporosis, a bone disease which can be inhibited by regular sun exposure, is epidemic, affecting 25 million Americans. Every year, 1.5 million osteoporosis patients suffer bone fractures, which can be fatal in elderly cases. Because regular sun exposure may inhibit the onset of this and other diseases, it is clear that these and other potential benefits of sun exposure need to be explored and factored into the equation.

Fact #3: People who receive regular sun exposure have a lower incidence of malignant melanoma than those who don't.
Evidence: Researchers have known for years that individuals who receive regular exposure to sunshine have a lower risk of contracting melanoma skin cancer. This fact is not disputed in the scientific community among researchers, although some less-informed doctors and lobbyists do not understand this relationship, and often confuse the statistics. What's more, new research is showing that skin cancer is more prevalent in the northerly latitudes of North America and of Europe than in the southerly latitudes, which again suggests that regular sun exposure may inhibit the development of melanoma skin cancer.

Fact #4: If regular sun exposure could prevent cancer, why do we always hear only the opposite?
Evidence: The almighty dollar. Fear of the sun, scaring people about wrinkles and skin cancer, is a multi-billion-dollar industry led by huge special interests groups who not only conduct most of the research on this topic but also promote it. Lobbyists for pharmaceutical firms that sell billions of dollars of sunscreens and anti-sun cosmetics have teamed with the dermatology industry to promote a misinformed campaign of sun abstinence. Conversely, there is no major industry except the indoor tanning industry that could make money by promoting the positive effects of sunshine. And the indoor tanning industry consists of smaller companies that do not match the marketing saturation of the multi-billion dollar "sun-scare coalition." The idea that people need to control their sun exposure is valid, but sun-scare lobbyists have taken that message too far.

Fact #5: Why don't dermatologists like any form of tanning?
Evidence: The dermatology industry makes most of its money on "vanity visits" from patients. One prominent New York dermatologist estimates that 50-90 percent of the dermatology industry's business is "cosmetic" and medically unnecessary. Skin cancer is an important issue to the dermatology industry because it represents the only subject that its lobbyists can promote as critical. Unfortunately, in their zeal to address this topic, lobbyists for the dermatology industry have twisted the facts, exaggerated research findings and misled the public.

Fact #6: So is skin cancer a concern then?
Evidence: Absolutely. But it is a concern that professional indoor tanning facilities feel they are addressing effectively by teaching people to tan intelligently indoors and outdoors. We feel the marketing hype behind the sun-scare message has blown the concern about this issue out of whack and has completely ignored the positive aspects of regular moderate sun exposure.

Fact #7: Indoor tanning is helping to reduce the incidence of sunburn.
Evidence: It's true. One industry study has shown that indoor tanners, are 81 percent less likely to sunburn indoors or outside than non-tanners. That's because tanning salons are playing a lead role in educating people that moderate tanning is okay and sunburn should be avoided. The impractical message of sun abstinence promoted by the "sun-scare coalition" is totally ineffective, people are not going to hide from sunshine. Indeed, the American Academy of Dermatology reported in 1997 that sunburn incidence has increased nine percent in the past 10 years, despite all-out efforts of sun-scare industries to warn people about the dangers of overexposure. In that same time period, sunburn incidence among indoor tanners has declined. It is the non-tanners who are doing most of the burning. Given that reality, teaching people who can tan the principles of smart tanning is most practical.

Tanning Myths
Myth: "I've heard that indoor tanning is more harmful than tanning outdoors because the UV light exposure is more intense."
Fact: People tanning indoors are exposed to a scientifically calibrated amount of UV light. When used according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's exposure guidelines (posted on each machine), tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer. Remember the best way to safeguard yourself from sun damage is to wear appropriate levels of SPF sunscreens outdoors - even if you already have a tan. You should also know that, even with sunscreen protection, UV exposure can still lead to skin cancer and premature aging, even if you don't burn.

Myth: "My friend said she heard that tanning bakes your internal organs. Sometimes I notice a strange smell after I tan. Could this be my organs baking?"
Fact: The UV light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor you may notice is what's commonly known as the "after tan" odor, a common occurrence when tanning indoors or outdoors, which is caused by harmless bacteria. Look for lotions that contain ingredients that help prevent after tan odor.

Myth: "I have been told from several of my friends that showering directly after tanning will "wash" your tan away. They say its best to wait about 3 hours after tanning to shower."
Fact: Taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away. A natural tan takes 24-48 hours to develop. The tanning process occurs within the epidermis when melanocyte cells are stimulated by ultraviolet light that causes them to produce the pigment melanin. Melanin production results in the tanned appearance of the skin and is the skin's natural defense against the sun and over-exposure, i.e. sun-burning. Melanin travels to the surface, where it eventually flakes off. This process allows us to develop new skin every four to eight weeks. Keeping your skin hydrated and exfoliated will help maintain a more radiant and healthy-looking tan.

Myth: "I heard that in order to get a suntan you have to burn first."
Fact: A sunburn does not fade into a tan. A sunburn indicates over exposure to UV-light and actually damages the skin, leaving it inflamed (as indicated by the skin's red coloring and sensitivity), dry, chapped and visibly unappealing. In fact, a sunburn can lead to premature aging and potentially skin cancer. Always practice moderation when tanning and use the proper sunscreen protection when tanning outdoors and the proper exposure time that is recommended for your personal skin type when tanning indoors.

Myth: "All skin types tan or burn in the same amount of time."
Fact: Not all skin types are alike. Some people tan more easily than others or burn more easily than others. For example, a person with fair skin, red hair and freckles will burn easily, resulting in peeling and blistering without any indication that he or she has tanned. On the other hand, a person with dark hair and olive skin will tan very well and quite easily even with a minimal amount of sun exposure. It is important to know: repeated exposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer and harmful effects to the skin even if you don't burn.

Myth: "People with medium to dark skin never burn."
Fact: Although people with medium to darker skin tend to tan more easily than others, they can still get sunburns. They can also suffer from overexposure to UV-light. It is still important for these skin types to use sunscreens and avoid being in the sun longer than they need to be.

TaTT FAQ's
Question: Why does a tan fade?
Answer: Skin cells are constantly reproducing and renewing themselves, as they do this, the push the old cells to the top of the skin and the old cells fall off. The old cells were the ones you tanned-- so you must now tan the new cells to keep the dark color.

Question: How come I'm tanning, but my legs aren't getting as dark as the rest of me?
Answer: A couple of things are happening. First the skin on your legs are thicker than other parts of your body making it more difficult for the light to penetrate. There is not as much fatty tissue (especially on the shins), therefore there is not as much blood flowing around as places like your stomach and buttocks. Also women-- whenever you shave your legs, you take some of the top layers of your skin off. Those top layers were your tan.

Question: Why does blood flow matter?
Answer: Blood is essential to the oxidation of the melanin, and it is very important to the whole tanning process. This is why areas like your stomach & buttocks, areas with lots of fatty tissue, organs & strong blood flow, show so much more color faster.

Question: What can I do to keep my tan?
Answer: MOISTURIZE! MOISTURIZE! Your skin is constantly renewing itself. The dryer your skin is, the faster it wants to shed it's top layers and bring new skin to the surface. You loose the top layers, you loose your tan. Also, the healthier your skin is, the better it tans. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even if you moisturize you still need to maintain a tanning schedule of every 4 to 5 days, or at least once a week, to keep your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time

Question: What is Hot Action / Tingle and what does it do to my skin?
Answer: Hot Action / Tingle also known as Tropical Heat or Skin Stimulation, is a combination of Benzyl Nicotinate and Methyl Nicotinate. These ingredients increase the microcirculation of the skin, or cause the blood vessels in the skin to open, which increases blood flow. The reddening appearance and warming effect on the skin is a result of the increase in blood flow, similar to the flush you feel when you increase your body's blood flow when you begin exercising. This increased blood flow also increases the oxygenation of the skin and aids in the delivery of required nutrients throughout the skin. This speeds up the skin's natural growth and maintenance processes. Hot Action causes a transitory, or temporary skin response. The duration of the effect will depend on the intensity of the Hot Action product and the sensitivity of each individual's skin. Usually the Hot Action response initiates fairly quickly once the product is applied to the skin and will last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

Question: Why don't I feel the same effect that I used to from using Hot Action / Tingle products?
Answer: It does seem that some people's skin gets used to the hot action products and they have to find a more intense product to get the same heating effect. However, the positive effects that Hot Action ingredients have on the skin continue to occur even when the feeling is not as intense.

Question: What are bronzers?
Answer: Bronzers deliver a colored appearance to the skin for a "temporary tan." Depending on the manufacturer of the product, a bronzer can either be a product that contains a temporary bronze tint that can be washed off with soap and water or it can be a product that contains a small percentage of DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), a self-tanning ingredient, that causes the skin to brown on the surface for 3-5 days, mimicking a natural tan. There are some products that contain both, allowing the bronzing tint to act like a guide for applying the self-tanning lotion.