Nightshade

Hello everyone:

I’ve been reading this forum the whole evening trying to pick up a good lotion for myself – very addicting
I live in CT, Hamden (06518) and looking for a good salon with new tanning beds, nice attitude and affordable prices. Do I want too much? Lol
I don’t know if it’s allowed here to name the business, that’s why I’ll say salon X close to my house has 24 beds and one of the best and most expensive ones is Ergoline 600 Classis ($16 per session, $65 per 5, $110 per 10) Is it a good price and do you think I have to use this particular bed to get best results? I’m an inexperienced tanner, I tan only before vacations and another salon I used before wasn’t good at all (had only 4 beds and after 5 sessions in stand up bed I saw no difference; I think probably they used old lamps )
The same salon X has also packages for some mysterious "9 or 12 minute stand-up booths or 15 minute bed with higher power canopy & 3 face tanners" for $12 per session ($50 for 5, $80 for 10). How can I know what’s the best out of these 3 (supposedly same level beds according to the price)? Btw, my friend went to this salon today and they offered first time free tanning and put her in 12 minutes max stand-up booth. So far, she doesn’t see any results, but it was her first time, so we have to wait for her tan to develop a little bit longer.
Also, I called one of the salons close to my house to inquire about their equipment and the girl told me that their best bed was 12,000 watt bed and they charge $12 per session. Does this number (12,000 watt) mean that it’s a good bed?
Please help out a newbe if you have time. Thank you.

mr belvedere

The Ergoline 600 Classic is an excellent piece of tanning equipment, and with the proper lamps, it will definitely deliver more than your money's worth at $16/session. As far as packages are concerned, do the math and select the best value for wants and needs. Based on what your friend's experience, assuming she waited at least two hours before showering, and 3-4 hours for the color to develop, and a couple of other factors, I suggest you stick with the 600. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Nightshade

Thanks for the reply, Mr Belvedere.

Knowing that it has been more than 24 hours since her first tan, no showering for 10 hours after tan, Hempology golden hemp lotion and 6 minutes in a 12 minute stand-up booth, we see no evidence of tanning whatsoever. None. She told that she doesn’t tan as quickly as some people do but when she went to Hollywood tan last year, she saw the result from the first session.
Now I don’t know if I can trust this salon. As I read on these forums, more people concerned about not having the latest top tanning machines but about just changing lamps every 500-700 hours. Probably, the best thing to do is to buy only one session and check out myself if the owner takes care of his equipment. Also, this salon doesn’t:
1. ask you if you take any medications
2. ask you to fill out and sign a paper work
3. ask you any questions (if you ever tanned before, what lotion you usually use, etc)
4. show you their machines (give a little tour so you know why you pay higher price for some beds and lower for others)
5. have any paper towels
6. have price tags on their lotions
I’m not sure if these things are important or it doesn’t really matter if they just have some decent tanning beds? Can I trust these people?

dcjjp2

One session isn't enough to do anything really. You need a few to see a difference. That is my biggest pet peeve when they come out and say "well, I didn't get anything" If that were the case why then may I ask would salons sell packages and not have the cost of one tan be $75?

Tanning is cumulitive. Do it smart and start slow and don't burn.

ld042702

if they don't ask any of the above questions that you have stated, i'd avoid this salon. A good professional salon owner does ask and show. Plus in a majority of states it's regulated to ask these questions and fill out a form.

Nightshade

One person in our area owns so many tanning salons and for some reason he doesn't educate his employees! I called several locations and no one could answer what kind of beds they have. When I asked one of the girls to tell me what was the name of the bed they mentioned in their flyer for $xx, she told me "triple face bed" )) I also stopped by and checked their closest to me location (actually, 2 minutes away from my house!) and it was "bla" (empty space with unfriendly, disinterested workers). Guys, I really tried, it just didn’t work with this chain. At that point I didn’t even care that they had their super Ergoline 600 Classic, so I put a big X on them & moved on.
I found an outstanding salon 2 exits away from where I live. I’m so glad & completely satisfied.
They don’t have 24 beds, only 9 but they do have beautiful interior, cozy rooms with several towels (! no need to beg anymore ), free after tan spray, free protective goggles, extremely clean booths, spring water and a bathroom. I was also given a tour of all rooms and saw all beds they have. And you know what... I didn’t care about the price! Isn’t it what you all salon owners are looking for? LOL A client, who doesn’t care how much it cost? Now I will definitely tan more often than I used to because it’s such a lovely place. So if anyone needs a reference, I’ll gladly tell you the name of this place and give you their address. I haven’t figured out yet if I’m allowed to mention salon’s names on this web site (just send me a private message if you live in my area, which is Hamden, CT if you’re looking for 10 out of 10 tanning salon)

I don’t want to spam on your forums, so I’ll ask here why a lot of people on these forums tell that you cannot take a shower at least for 2-3 hours after a tanning session when California Tans says on their web sites that it’s one of the myths?
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.
http://www.caltan.com/tanbasic/tan_myths.ehtm

What to believe?

bronzeman11

The only reason i can think of to wait is if your using a bronzer.

love2betan

I am glad you found a good salon. It makes all the difference! The salon I work at gives a tour for every new customer and if you don't you are written up. It is all about guest service not just working in a salon checking people in and cleaning beds. So many people think it is so easy to work in a tanning salon and there is so much more. I try to treat all of my guests better than I would in my home because it is so important. It is not the size of the salon but the quality!!! Just curious what they told you about tanning lotion?

mr belvedere

Here is what I remember from Smart Tan training: showering, swimming, bathing, basically anything that immerses the dermis in water for any length of time within the first 2 hours after UV exposure "cools" the skin down and thereby slows or ends the chemical change process taking place in the dermis in response to the UV exposure. It might all be BS, but why take the chance? Good luck.

love2betan

I know I always shower before I tan and then put on my lotion before I go in to tan and I get great color. I was always told that showering before was a good thing? What do you think?