Encouragement to Educate Your Tanning Clients

Tan Addiction: When working in a salon your bound to have that one client that is a tan addict. It can happen at any age. They never see themselves as dark or beautiful enough or tanning just makes them feel good. As a salon owner you are bound by your industry to try and help this person understand the damages they can be doing to themselves. If you have a client like this now, please don't wait another day and try and speak to them today. Here is a few pointers.

• It can be hard to bring up the subject to your client without the possibility of offending them.  Start off with how long they have been a customer and how much you appropriate their business. 
• Let them know that you and your business wants to always promote healthy tanning habits to your clients because tanning is such a big issue when it comes to skin cancer. A good way to do this is to start an awareness program with your salon and print out an article or two to hand out to all your clients. 
• Tell them how much you yourself love tanning and how tanning can be healthy for them. How Vitamin D is a key factor in our health as wells as our bone structure and that without the right amount of Vitamin D within our system, it can also cause health issues as well as cancerous cells to develop.
• Get them talking about how tanning makes them feel and what are they trying to achieve with results. They may come to help treat issues of pain that you never even knew about. If so, you may like to start an alternative way of treatment with heat for them on the side. There are wellness machines for salons now days or you may like to look into some body wraps (with bandages or foil).
• See if they are coming to get a darker tan. Excessive tanning is something they might not be able to see for themselves. They will never be able to see the changes in there skin tones and you may need to late them know which can be tricky. 
• One thing you can do is start a before and after program for new clients. When they sign up for a month package, have a small camera beside your counter to take a quick picture. Let them know that at the end of the month, you will take another picture so they can see the results of using your beds. It could also be a great promotional advertisement in the future if your clients agree to it. (Do not share their pictures without written consent).
• For someone you feel is becoming a tan addict, offer a free spray tan. A safe alternative to tanning beds that they might pick up on and enjoy. By doing one spray tan a week they might not feel the impulse as much to tan as often on there monthly bed packages. 
• Sunless tanning products are also something you might like to offer. Have several options and give out a sample if need be to encourage them. Many people have a negative view of these items but with all the advancements that have been made to them in the last few years, they are sure to find something to love.
• Teach more about skincare and how to protect themselves from skin aging. There are all types of anti-aging products on the market today and it is never to early to start prevention. Moisturizing is a key component to the aging process so always have good moisturizers on hand. Moisturizing is also very important to a great tan also. 

The best advice we can really give to you is encouragement to educate yourself and your clients. A successful business always is there for its customers and has a deep understanding of pros and cons to any subject. Although these articles main focus was to tan addiction clients, we hope that the pointers we gave can go beyond just them to help all your clients and business. 

Tanorexia: Are You Obsessed With Your Tan?

Tanorexia is not just a cultural word; it's a growing concern for people of all ages. Although many people love tanning, there is a rare syndrome of tan addiction that can be quite serious. In these cases, people are actually obsessed with getting and maintaining a tan.

Like anything else, an unhealthy preoccupation with tanning takes a recreational pastime to an obsession. It has yet to be scientifically determined if there is a physical or psychological drive behind this addiction, but with tanning salons so readily available, tanorexia should not be ignored.

There is a lot of debate over exactly how much tanning is unhealthy for you. Most dermatologists agree that tanning is a sign of skin damage, so any tanning is unnecessary and risky. However, society still projects tanned skin as a sign of health and beauty. Ironically, the more tanned you are, the less beautiful your skin will become as you age. Tanned skin, whether received naturally through the sun's rays or artificially on a tanning bed, can eventually lead to premature wrinkles, blotchy patches, dry skin, and melanoma (skin cancer).

In fact, having healthy skin involves careful monitoring of sun exposure. About 15 to 20 minutes of direct exposure is recommended to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Anything beyond that involves risk and damage to the skin.

So what happens to someone with tanorexia? There are several problems with being obsessed with your tan, not just on a physical level but on a mental level as well. Studies indicate that people who suffer from tanorexia display the same addictive behavior as smokers or people with other addictive habits. Just as in an addiction to plastic surgery, there is no point where the person reaches a goal. It's an elusive point they strive for, with no end in sight.

If you or someone you know suffers from tanorexia, you may want to talk to your dermatologist. When someone is addicted to tanning they will continue to tan no matter how dark they already are, increasing their risk of cancer due to the prolonged exposure to the UV rays. Tanning addicts who use only spray tans are not at a physical risk but they are still dealing with an obsessive compulsive disorder.

Anytime someone is dealing with a compulsive disorder they should seek help from a professional. People that get anxious if they miss a tanning session, or don't actually see how tan their skin really is, or shows other symptoms of irrational thinking about their skin may have tanorexia. Ironically, healthy and beautiful skin is more easily achieved without a tan. But, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, not everyone is convinced of that fact.

written by Susan Evans, MD
Dr. Susan Evans is an internationally acclaimed, health and beauty expert one of Oprah's and Dr. Oz's healthy skin and beauty...

I Can't Speak Enough About Iwata!

There is nothing like holding a piece of Iwata equipment in your hands. From the first touch, you can feel the power, excellence, and quality of the airbrush. The smooth and cool steel in your hands just screams to you, "I am a Professional".  You feel the confidence within yourself and can't wait to get started. No other equipment makes me feel that confidence and security in my work and you will feel it too.

My favorite is the Iwata Eclipse G6 Spray Gun. This Eclipse Series airbrush has established a new benchmark for excellence in an all-purpose airbrush. A unique “Pistol Grip” airbrush, the Eclipse G6 airbrush looks like a miniature spray gun, but sprays and performs like a large airbrush with its 0.6-mm stainless-steel nozzle. It utilizes a dual-purpose air cap and a fan adjustment valve that lets the airbrush spray a round or oval pattern. The Iwata G6 can be used for many things but for the beauty Industry, it is used for Spray Tanning and Body Art.

The Iwata Eclipse Series also has small airbrushes in the bottle and gravity feeds. With such a range of airbrushes, you can do Spray Tans, Airbrush Cosmetic and Body Art, wonderful Nail Art and even Airbrush Tattoos. There is so much more this high performance airbrushes can do but this is what I use them for and can vouch for there performance.

Another thing I love about Iwata this year is there new and improved compressors! 

The newest is the battery operated Freestyle compressor. The lightweight (1.7lb) Iwata Freestyle Air Battery-Powered Airbrush Compressor is designed for low pressure applications such as bridal and runway make-up, cake decorating, hobby applications and temporary tattoos using thinner mediums. It is ideal for on-set make-up and any low pressure application where mobility is essential.
The included international plugs allow for travel abroad.

Another new option is the Neo Miniature Air Compressor. Compact and Portable, it weighs in at less than a pound. It to is for low pressure compressor using about 100V —> 240V Power Supply and has a 3-Speed Control Button. The Neo Miniature compressor is more cost efficient for smaller businesses.

For someone looking for power, storage, and yet still have it portable, you should look into the Maxx Jet Compressor on wheels.  It has a handle and casing for your supplies. You also have the option of purchasing extra trays for your supplies that will hook right unto the casing that already comes with it. So mo matter how big your business grows, you can always have everything you need at hand. Another Great feature this Maxx Jet compressor is, it can be used for any type of airbrush services. You can hook up multiple airbrushes and use at same time.

5 Year Warranty on your Airbrushes!

An unprecedented five-year warranty backs all Iwata airbrushes. All Iwata airbrushes are warranted against all manufacturing defects of material and manufacture or workmanship for a period of FIVE years from date of purchase. Any part or material that is or becomes defective so as not to be usable within this period will be repaired or replaced. This warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or units that have been altered or abused in any way.

All Iwata air compressors are warranted against all manufacturing defects of material and manufacture or workmanship for a period of ONE year from date of purchase. Any part or material that is or becomes defective so as not to be usable within this period will be repaired or replaced. This warranty does not cover damage caused by negligence or units that have been altered or abused in any way.

Iwata has so many feature items for your equipment.

Iwata has so many new types of hangers and work stations, along with cleaning supplies, adapters, bottles, and so much more that we can't name it all in this article. You will just have to go to our store website and check them out yourself.


I hope you have enjoyed this article and have learned a little more about the beautiful Iwata Airbrush Brand.

New Sunless Tanners for 2015-2016

All new Sunless Tanners for 2015 and 2016!

We love our tans and wish that we can keep them year round, but as we all know our tans fade in the winter months. One of the benefits we have now days in the tanning industry is some really great sunless tanners to get us through on those special occasions we would like our skin to glow.

Sunless Tanners come in many different products like lotions, spray mist, Mousse's, and even creams, and of course there are many brands to choose from.  So how do you know what product is best for you?

First, you need to know your skin type and how best to apply a sunless tanning product to your skin. Most of us has Normal, Oily, or Combination skin. For people who have normal skin types, they can use just about any product they want, but for people who have oily and combination skin, your best results will come from a spray or mousse.

As we all should do before applying a sunless tanner, oily and combination skin, want to always prep before a tan. Any type of exfoliate that is not oil base will be what you need. It can be a sugar or salt base scrub but just make sure it has no type of oil in it. Moisturizers within the scrub are okay because you do want your skin to be well hydrated for the tan to take better. You can use a moisturizing lotion the day before you apply your sunless tanner for extra care.  Always make sure your skin is fresh and clean just before your apply a sunless tanner.

Sunless Tanning Lotions can be a little thick and heavy to apply.  Many people do not like this as much and are opting for sprays and mouses which go on more even. If you do decide to use a lotion, it is best to apply with a application glove made for sunless tanners. This will help apply more even and will keep your hands from staining with the tanner. If you do not want to purchase an application mitt, then look at your nearest retail store for some type of glove to apply.  You will want something that will not absorb the lotion but keep it on the mitt. Something like makeup and cosmetic sponges but larger will work best.

A Sunless Tanning Mousse is also best to apply with a mitt. Even thought this product is not as thick, by using a mitt it will apply more even. Apply it the same way you would a lotion or cream and always make sure you are good and dry before putting cloths back on.

With a Sunless Tanner Spray or Mist, these forms are more liquid base. When Applying this type of product, I find it best to apply by section. I usually will start with my legs and spray them all the way up, front and back and let them dry for a few before moving on. I then apply to my arms one at a time and let each arm dry before the other. Then I move to the body front and then back. It is best to have someone apply to the back for you but if you has no one to help, I always lean forward and spray over the body, letting the mist fall to the back area. It takes a little practice but you will get there after a few tries.

As for choosing a product, that is always up to you to decide. I recommend you try at least three different brands before settling on just one. When you find what works best for you, keep with it. Tanning products always works different for people, and just because something works great for a friend doesn't mean it will for you. If your a beginner look at the color and feel of the sunless tanner and not your mistakes.  You will get better with your next application and so on. If the color is what you desire, then try other products within that brand to find the absolute best for you. Once you have found your product, you are going to love sunless tanning.