05-03-2002, 08:45 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Join Date: Feb 25 2000 Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1,643
Rep Power: 26 | FYI: See if you can figure out a "pattern" after reading the following two articles that come from Nebraska TV station websites. Number 1: Dermatologist Worries About Tanning Beds Doctor Fears Diseases Could Spread Posted: 5:58 p.m. CDT May 3, 2002 Updated: 7:07 p.m. CDT May 3, 2002 OMAHA, Neb. -- An Omaha dermatologist said Friday that regulations should be beefed up for all tanning salons after he believes five of his patients contracted the herpes virus from several local tanning salons. "It wasn't just one patient. More than one patient had the problem," Dr. Chris Huerter said. Huerter said he is convinced five of his patients contracted herpes simplex from a tanning bed. "Probably, the first episode was four to five years ago, a young woman who had it in the middle of her back," Huerter said. Huerter said he reached his conclusion because the herpes lesions were on the backs and ankles of his patients, and because they all recently visited tanning salons. However, people in the tanning industry said the infections probably did not happen at salons. They say the conclusion is based on poor science with a lack of hard data. Federal regulations do set industry standards for cleaning the beds. In addition, 27 states have supplemental standards. Nebraska is not one of them. A representative of the tanning industry said using Lucasol, which is recommended by the industry, virtually eliminates the possibility of spreading the herpes virus. The industry also says beds should be cleaned and wiped down between each client. Huerter's concern is that not all tanning salons follow those guidelines, which could lead to health concerns. Number 2: Disease Linked To Tanning Beds Doctors Confirm Five Herpes Cases Posted: 5:48 p.m. CDT May 2, 2002 OMAHA, Neb. -- Experts at Creighton University told KETV NewsWatch 7 that they are investigating five cases of herpes that can apparently be traced to beds at tanning salons. Creighton has five confirmed cases of the type of herpes usually associated with the genital area. However, in these cases, patients have sores on their backs and the backs of their legs that would have been in contact with a tanning bed. "We connected it with the tanning beds because each of these people were new tanners, and that was the only thing that was different," said Melissa O'Neill of Creighton Dermatology. At least one patient told her doctors that she is not sexually active. The patients all visited different tanning salons. No single facility has been pinpointed. Other infectious disease specialists told KETV NewsWatch 7 that contamination from a tanning bed would be unlikely. [Note: This last paragraph is the only one that is correct.] Now, click on the link below, read my article and see if you can figure out where the truth lies. http://www.lookingfit.com/articles/171Corner.html More later. Don [ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-05-03 20:50 ][ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-05-03 20:55 ] |
05-04-2002, 08:01 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Join Date: Feb 25 2000 Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1,643
Rep Power: 26 | Tamar: Holy Texas, you are right! In my LOOKING FIT article I state: "Protecting Your Salon's Reputation." "The best offense is a good defense. Prudent tanning salon owners should mix the sanitizing solution according to the manufacturer's instructions, test each batch of sanitizing solution by using a "quat" test strip, log the manufacturing and testing details on a "Sanitizing Form" (see sample chart at right) and sanitize the tanning bed according to the manufacturer's instructions." "Then, if a customer of your tanning salon raises this issue, you will have a paper trail showing that you have followed the sanitizing protocol set forth by the manufacturer of the sanitizing product." The REAL "bottom line" therefore, Tamar, is that each and every one of us can take some simple and easy steps to make sure AND TO PROVE that the sunbeds we provide for our clients are properly cleaned and sanitized. There was a great "furor" over the fact that the State of Texas Department of Health "required" Texas tanning salons to keep a "log" of the mixing of disinfectant solution . Now, perhaps, everyone there can see that this requirement isn't so crazy and onerous after all and why yours truly recommends that it be adopted by all of the regulated states. The "minimal" time involved in testing and recording the results of your "mixing" of the bed cleaner is well worth it because you have a "paper trail" to show any complaining client. Keeping good records is just "common sense" in action! As I stated in an answer to Mori on another thread, the best (and only way if you want to sleep well at night) was to handle the possibility of an inspection (or a "sting" operation like there was in Omaha) is to take steps to make sure that your salon is ready for inspection 365/7. Don |
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