Don Smith

Ginger:Why, you must be asking, is Don going to talk about skin typing (subtyping) when the subject is supposed to be tanning lamps?There are several reasons for doing so.1. EVERYTHING we do as professional tanning salon personnel is centered on the concept of providing exposure times (especially the initial session time) that neither overexpose, nor underexpose our clients to UVR.2. Assume for a minute that a specific individual (who is the "most sensitive skin type 2) visits 10 tanning salons in Alabama. Shouldn't this individual be classified the same in all 10 salons? And shouldn't this individual be given the same IST (initial session time)? And if this individual then comes to Tucson, Arizona, shouldn't I classify him the same and give him the same IST? I will assume that your answer is "yes" and go forward.3. It is a "no brainer" to calculate the IST for skin type 4's and 5's and we have a large "margin for error" for skin type 3's. However, for skin type 2's, the problem is different. These individuals, especially the most UVR sensitive of this group, have had a life-long struggle with the sun and they often have had problems with previous experiences with indoor tanning. IF you give these individuals an "extra" minute or two on their IST, they will most certainly sunburn. If, on the other hand, you give them a proper IST and handle them cautiously until they have developed a light to moderate tan, they will become one of your most loyal clients (who also buy lots and lots of lotion!)4. If you don't have a standardized format (a questionnaire) aren't you really just "guessing" about their skin type?5. The reason we must "subtype" our clients is because the definition of the "most senstitive skin type 2" demands it. IF you have a "most sentitive" segment, you must by definition have a "least sensitive" segment and if you have a most sensitive and least sensitive segments, you must have a "mean sensitive" segment. There is no alternative to this logic! Therefore, "most sensitive" equals our skin subtype 2A; the "mean sensitive" equals our skin subtype 2B; and the "least sensitive" equals our skin subtype 2C. 6. There is only a 10% difference between the dose of UVR that will cause a sunburn and the dose that will induce a cosmetic tan at the skin subtype 2A level. This "margin of error" increases steadily and we find that skin type 6 individual have a 500 times margin of error! A skin type 2B has a 30% margin of error. Therefore, if you set the IST based upon the "mean" of the skin type 2 population, you will most certainly sunburn all of the skin subtype 2A individuals who patronize your tanning salon.7. Why must we provide skin typing for each and every client. Because the FDA said we should in 1986. They stated that:"Since the UV radiation dose that causes a barely discernible pink coloration (minimal erythemal dose or MED) is not the same for different skin types, the exposure schedule for first-time users will depend on the skin type of the user."The skin typing (subtyping) form my wife and I developed is available on the TSO website (www.naatso.org).We are all going to assign IST's for our clients. The question is whether we are going to base them on "guestimates" or science! It all starts with the determination you make regarding the skin type (subtype) of your clients!Hope this helps.Don

Marty & Carol

We have been using Don's skin typing and Neither/Nor approach to tan times for a full year with fantastic results!Because we are a "high performance" salon with 9 different VHR and 3 different HP beds, we needed a way to allow our employees a way to tan them without any issues. Accurate skin typing is the foundation to which we could then build upon to give proper tan times to our customers that would be consistant with all employees. Getting ten "opinions" from ten employees is not good enough. This knowledge from Don, backed by SCIENCE! has been invaluable.------------------We support TSO Working together we can and will make a difference!

Rejuv

Don,I see on your skin typing form that you ask about psoraisis and systemic lupus erythematosus, why?

Don Smith

Rejuv:Move to the head of the class! That was a great question.On several of the "Lupus" or "SLE" (systemic lupus erythematosus) websites, it is mentioned that UVR can be beneficial to persons suffering from this disease.McGrath, et al have published a number of papers showing that lupus can be treated very effectively with UVA1 (340 - 400 nm) wavelengths. However, the UVA2 (320-340 nm) and UVB (280 - 320 nm) wavelengths are contraindicated for lupus. Therefore, if a person suffering from lupus tans either (1) in a tanning bed, or, (2) outdoors in sunlight, their condition may worsen. When they are treated with pure UVA1 light, on the other hand, their condition dramatically improves.Therefore, we added the question about lupus in order to "screen out" a person with lupus who may INCORRECTLY think that they will improve if they tan in a tanning salon. In fact, one party has informed me (and posted on another site) that a person with lupus had a very serious reaction after tanning in their sunbeds.We have an obligation to look out for the welfare of our clients. This means (1) insisting that they use protective eyewear, (2) follow the exposure schedule guidelines in order to prevent overexposure, (3) not letting skin type 1 individuals try to tan, (4) not letting people with a sunburn tan, (5) insisting that individuals with medical conditions like lupus and skin cancer get permission from their doctor before they tan.Unfortunately, in our business, the client is not always right (if they want to do something that would be harmful).Hope this helps.Don

Rejuv

What about the question if they have psoraisis.

Don Smith

Reduv:Another good question.The first reason for the question is that you, the tanning salon owner, want to know whether or not they have psoriasis. Then, you can talk intelligently with them about their (perhaps) primary reason for tanning.If you don't know why they are tanning, how can you help them? (See my post "Why Do People Tan?" in the general section.)Aloe vera based lotions are thought to be helpful for clients with psoriasis and they will usually routinely use a lotion (which you can sell them).We have one SunDash 32P sunbed with Wolff Biosun II lamps in one of our salons that we use for our clients with psoriasis whenever possible. It has higher UVB (280 - 320 nm) and these are the wavelengths of choice in the treatment of psoriasis. That does not mean that your clients with psoriasis won't show improvement in a regular sunbed; just not as much.Hope this helps.Don

Rejuv

Don,Thanks for all the information. We do have a customer who has psoriasis. Her doctor had her on all kinds of medication and after becoming a regular she was able to stop the medication (with doctors knowledge). She is so much happier now.

Becky

Don,I have a question relating to skintyping. Is there a current chart or something to help us schedule correct and safe session times based on each persons skin type? As a type 2C myself I am very sensitive to the struggle some people have in getting a tan without burning. As I open my first store I want to be able to recommend the proper times for each of our clients.Thanks for any help.

Chippp

Different skin response.I have a face that burns very easy indoors and out, and tans lightly but my body never really burns at all indoors or outdoors, and tans well.I often cover my face while tanning or use a 30 sunblock.How many other people find that their face is more sensitive to burning then thier body?It could be that my face is just so darn cute. 8-)

Brian Oshman

Chipppppp! The fine folks on this thread are way out of your league. Don't be a wise a** here. You seem to have a big mouth and small ears. Try to listen hard if you want REAL SUCCESS!!!!