Tanning can be such a chore – having to wait until certain periods of the day or the right time of year. It’s a hassle do you decide that it is in your best interest to go to a tanning salon but you don’t know what to look for and everyone seems to have their own opinion. All you really know is that you don’t want a bad spray on tan. The following are things you should know or find our or ask the establishments before you go and tan there.
Employee Certification
You read that right. In order to be licensed to tan you have to be accredited and take courses. There are currently four programs that someone can train under. If you find a tanning spa where the employees are either not certified or certified through someone other than these four then do not choose them. They are:
The National Tanning Training Institute International Smart Tan Network Suntanning Association for Education International Suntanning Education Institute
Each of these four, well established training centers offers certification to salon owners.
Continuing Education
New techniques and equipment are always being developed. What sort of ongoing training does the salon offer its employees, if any? It is important to keep up to date on the trends in the industry as well as the tools associated with it.
Warnings on Photosensitive Reactions
Your salon should be mindful of your health and have, by law, the need to have a list of medications, medical conditions and agents available that may lead a client into a photosensitive reaction that could occur when you expose your skin to the ultra violet rays. Your salon must discuss these issues with you.
Liability Insurance
Ask your salon if they have liability insurance. If they don’t then you should turn tail and run. Liability insurance protects you against any issues that may arise from the use of tanning in the salon otherwise if you get damaged you have no recourse.
Skin Type Determination
There are systems in place that can tell you what kind of type your skin is and this important to proper tanning as settings differ between light and dark tones, oily or dry skin etc. If they cannot tell your skin type they cannot guarantee a safe tanning experience.
Informed Consent
A salon that provides you with a list of things that could go wrong is a responsible salon. Though proven to be relatively safe there are still risks involved with tanning. The salon should have a form pointing them all out that you sign just in case something happens. This serves to inform you, the client, and protect the salon.
Promoting Proper Skin Care
Your skin is the base for a good tan. If your skin is one way or the other you can produce a bad tan. Your salon of choice should offer you information on what skin creams and lotions will be best for your skin type and to promote good tanning.
Over Exposure Program
A salon that is set up properly can design a tanning schedule based around your skin type. This ensures you that you will not over tan and will have a safer and more enjoyable experience as well as not wasting money.
Protective Eyewear
Is the salon you considering have protective eyewear available or demand that you use it? The regulations of tanning salons adhere to a strict policy of having people wear protective eyewear. Just say no to any tanning salon or spa that does not seem to care about your general well being.
Cleanliness
There are a great number of people coming and going and laying in the same tanning beds. Observe the business and take note of everything you see. Is there garbage on the floor? Are there sterilization chemicals to clean off tanning beds?
After the previous 10 questions have been asked should you worry about the price because putting a price tag on your health and beauty is silly.
The thought of owning your own tanning salon can be very exciting. You will put a great deal of time and effort into the process so you need to follow some important concepts. Don't forget any of them so your business doesn't end up suffering later on because of it. You can convert a current tanning salon into what you want or design the layout for one on your own.
Getting the funding to start up a tanning salon or to buy one that is already in place is the best place to start. You may have some money in savings or you may need to take out a business loan. You will need a very well detailed business plan that covers all of the essential areas of information.
Find out what type of tanning is needed in your area. You need to find out who your competition is and what they offer. How can you improve upon that? Are they limited in the number of tanning stations they offer? Can you give them a better price? Can you offer sunless tanning options that aren't found in your area yet? Look for things you can embrace that will allow your tanning salon to stand out.
Think about businesses you have been in before. What did you like and what made you decide to never go back in? Evaluate all of those things so you can operate your business the right way. People want to be pampered and cared for when they go to a tanning salon. They want to feel important and they don't want to see their time wasted. Everyone that works for you should be committed to keeping the customers happy.
Make sure you have a very good tanning software program in place. You need this to help you schedule appointments as efficiently as possible. When it is the busy season for tanning it is too complicated and time consuming to do by hand. Keep in mind customers will likely continue to increase the amount of time they spend in the tanning session.
Never slide in the area of customer service. If something isn't right then fix it. If customers have complaints make sure you personally handle them. Should someone have a suggestion then thank them for it and consider what you can do to make it happen. Go out of your way for customers and they will repay you with loyalty.
Money is often an issue with tanning salon businesses. Don't have so much owed for equipment that you can't generate very much that is actual profit. Be prepared for slower times of the year as less than half of your customers will choose to tan all year long. You need to have enough money saved from the busy season to get you through without stressing about it.
These are some of the major concepts you need to know about as a tanning salon owner. Not giving them proper attention can result in negative affects for your business. You want to continue to be excited about your tanning salon and to make as much money as you possibly can.
Both Jacky Welles & Betty P Davis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.