There are a number of issues to think about:
1. Does the machine give you even results from head to toe? no stripes, no untanned pressure points, no poor face and leg tanning. Ask the salon staff about this, and expect even results.
2. Is the machine properly cooled for the user, some machines really are designed to cool the lamps only. No one wants to sweat or lay in sweat, to uncomfortable and you will need to towel off, then drive home and shower after your session, time consuming and will dry out you skin.
3. what is the lamp wattage used? some are more effective,
older and cheaper style machines use only 100 watt 800ma tanning lamps, the type used in home tanning beds.
The better machines use the 168 watt 1500ma lamps used in high end machines used in better salons. Some machines even use 170, 180 to 200 watt lamps. Again ask the salon staff what each machine uses. Any lamp 160 watt or higher will tan you evenly! and fast! with out excuses or upgrade fees.
4. Contact or no contact tanning? this is the style of machine, one you lay on an acrylic windows , full body contact, some people don't feel comfortable to have full body contact like that in a public setting, for hygienic reasons.
Some machines you have NO contact with the lighting surfaces at all, in a public setting this can be of importance from a hygienic stand point. Use the system you feel is most hygienic.
5. Speed of tanning, the lower wattage the less effective the lamps the longer { slower } your tanning session will be.
The more effective, the higher the wattage of lamps, the shorter { Faster } the session will be.
If you want to kill time and are not interesed in the tan, pick a slow cheap system but don't expect good tanning results or comfort from a cheap machine.
6. Do you have to make appointments?
this is a big inconvenience, most of the better salons will have invested in enough equipment to allow the clients to tan at will, it is best if you can just walk in and tan when YOU want! Who wants to try and fit their tanning schedule into 100s of other tanners, then try to remember and rush to get to your appointment, to find they still have to wait to tan!
7. Look for salons with staff that can
answer your questions.
8. The salon should insist on you wearing eye protection and sell a few styles so you can get the ones that fit you best.
9. The salon should sell lotions to help you get the best tan and skin care.
10. Don't fall for the bate and switch, did the price you got quoted on the phone provide you with that salons best, most effective machines or did they quote you prices for thier cheapest least effective machine to get you into the salon , only to find out you have to pay 3 to 4 times more for a machine that will tan you fast,dark and evenly.
Look for these things.
A salon that is honest, up front from the start! Speedy tanning {who wants to wait}, comfort, evenness of the tan, no sweaing, no appointments needed, and hygiene, also look for free parking and informed friendly staff.
_________________
Tanning Booths, for people that want only the very best.
Fast, Comfortable, Dark Tanning and Hygienic.
Don't get booth envy, get a booth.
[ This Message was edited by: Chippp on 2002-04-12 09:32 ] |