FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

· How long has Mimi's been in business?

Mimi's Tanning Shak has been in business since 1994 and is one of the most successful tanning salons in Eastern Wake County.  You can have the confidence of knowing we will be there for you.  An unfortunate fact about the tanning business is 90% of tanning salons fail within the first two years. An even more unfortunate fact is most of those failed salons do not return the money their clients have invested in tanning packages. What that means to you is, when you purchase a package at a new salon you have a 90% chance of losing some or all of your money.

·What does the quality of the tanning equipment have to do with my tan?

How well a bed tans depends on the quality of the components inside the bed and how well it has been maintained. There are major differences in lamps from brands to watts..  How often a bed is taken apart and cleaned and how often the lamps and acrylics are changed make all the difference in the quality of tan you receive.  You can not see it by just looking at the bed, but acrylics get yellow and cloudy with use and this prevents the rays from the lamps from coming through to the best possible potential.

· How does skin tan?

UV light from a tanning bed, or the sun, enters the skin and comes in contact with a specialized cell, called a melanocyte.

When stimulated these cells, quickly began producing a skin pigment know as melanin.

Your heredity determines how dark and what color you will tan.

As melanin travels to the surface of your skin it combines with oxygen and turns a brownish color which we call a tan.

The tanning process is your skin's natural way of protecting itself from sunburn and overexposure.  Calling a tan "damage to the skin" isn't telling the whole truth.  Your skin is designed to tan to protect itself.

· How often should I tan?

Since 1986, the Food and Drug Administration guidelines suggest that a 48-hour should pass between tanning sessions. Pigmentation and/or erythema (sunburn) may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus two tanning sessions within this 24-hour period could cause an unintentional burn. In general, maximum pigmentation can be built up gradually, following the exposure schedule.

 

·   What should I wear while tanning?

Some people wear their bathing Suits. Most people however, tan in the nude. If you tan nude areas not normally exposed may be sensitive, especially when building your base. You should cover these areas for a portion of your session and allow gradual exposure. You should remember to remove all objects, including jewelry, which will cause unwanted tan lines, and could scratch the acrylic.

 

·  Why does a tan fade?

Cells in the epidermis' germinative layer (also called the living epidermis) are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the horny layer (dead epidermis), where they are sloughed off in about one month. As your skin replaces its cells, the cells laden with melanin are removed. So the tanning process must continue with the new cells.
High doses of UVB can irritate the skin and accelerate the normal process, which is why when tanning outdoors and in some conventional low-pressure tanning bed your tan fades so quickly.

 

·How well do tanning lotions really work?

Lotions that have been created for indoor tanning help you tan faster, replace and maintain moisture. Many lotions help to reduce and combat the signs of aging. By supplying your skin with needed vitamins, minerals, amino acids and moisture these lotions can help you tan faster than using no lotion at all. By using these lotions you can tan faster in less sessions with less UV exposure

 

· What is a Hot Action or Tingle Lotion?

Hot Action, also known as Tropical Heat, Skin Stimulation and Tingle, is usually a combination of Benzyl Nicotinate, Methyl Nicotinate and Hexyl Nicotinate. These ingredients increase the micro circulation of the skin, or cause the blood vessels in the skin to open, which increases blood flow. The reddening appearance and warming effect on the skin is a result of the increase in blood flow, similar to the flush you feel when you increase your body's blood flow when you begin exercising.

This increased blood flow also increases the oxygenation of the skin and aids in the delivery of required nutrients throughout the skin. This speeds up the skin's natural growth and maintenance processes.

Hot Action causes a transitory or temporary skin response. The duration of the effect will depend on the intensity of the Hot Action product and the sensitivity of each individual's skin. Usually the Hot Action response initiates fairly quickly once the product is applied to the skin and will last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

 

· What are bronzers?

Bronzers deliver a colored appearance to the skin for a "temporary tan." Depending on the manufacturer of the product, a bronzer can either be a product that contains a temporary bronze tint that can be washed off with soap and water or it can be a product that contains a small percentage of DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), a self-tanning ingredient, that causes the skin to brown on the surface for 3-5 days, mimicking a natural tan. There are some products that contain both, allowing the bronzing tint to act like a guide for applying the self-tanning lotion.

The principle tanning agent used in all bronzers, or self-tanning formulas, is DHA. This ingredient does not produce a "real tan" by increasing the skin's melanin levels, but it can create a tanned appearance by developing a brown color on the surface of the skin. The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins that produces brown compounds. The development of color takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the intensity of color is dependent upon the DHA concentration in the product as well as each tanner's individual skin characteristics. The color developed by the DHA usually lasts 3 to 5 days and begins to fade as the top layer of the skin naturally exfoliates. 

Caution should be used when building a base tan using a bronzer because it is not a natural tan and does not protect you from the sun until your natural tan develops. Bronzers give tanners instant gratification while the tan develops in the tanning bed.

 

·  Why use a bronzer?

A natural tan takes about 24-48 hours to develop. Therefore, a product that contains a bronzer is an excellent way to get a boost of color while a natural tan develops. Customers who may be fair-skinned or who want to see results immediately will enjoy the instant gratification of seeing bronzed results 2-4 hours after application. Bronzing products are also beneficial for evening out both skin tone and tanning results and can help maintain a healthy-looking, bronzed glow in between tanning sessions.

Caution should be used when building a base tan using a bronzer because it is not a natural tan and does not protect you from the sun until your natural tan develops. Bronzers give tanners instant gratification while the natural tan develops in the tanning bed.

 

·All I hear is to stay out of the sun. Are there positive effects of UV light?

While indoor tanning is a cosmetic service, a well-known side effect of exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light is the production of vitamin D. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in North America. Research also suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining good health. In light of this evidence, the Indoor Tanning Association believes that the health benefits of indoor tanning deserve further research.

Europeans started tanning indoors with sunlamps that emitted ultraviolet light as a therapeutic exercise to harness the positive psychological and physiological effects of UV exposure. Long before the first tanning facility was established in the United States in the late 1970's, the practice of visiting a “solaria” for the positive effects of UV light was widespread in Europe, particularly in the sun-deprived, northern countries. Although indoor tanning is considered a cosmetic exercise in the United States, the industry’s roots are therapeutic, and many Americans do in fact visit tanning facilities for that purpose.

The science of photo biology, which studies the effects of light on life, was founded on studying the positive effects of sunlight. Indeed, the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine was awarded to Dr. Niels Finsen for his work treating the disease lupus vulgaris with ultraviolet light. While the indoor tanning industry in the United States promotes its services for cosmetic purposes, the fact remains that exposing the skin to ultraviolet light is the body’s primary means of producing vitamin D (which in turn is related to positive physiological effects). Exposure to UV light is also responsible for the production of endorphins and serotonin (which in turn is related to positive psychological effects).

· Can indoor tanning cure acne?

Photo therapy (or use of UV light) has been effective in easing the skin problems common to this condition. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also widely used for treatment of acne. Because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must avoid UV exposure when medicated. Furthermore, a qualified physician should only administer the use of UV light for acne treatment.

· Can indoor tanning equipment be used to treat psoriasis?

Photo therapy (or UV light treatment) can be used to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. A trained physician should render the treatment with equipment specifically designed for such a purpose. Many salon operators report that customers who suffer mild forms of psoriasis improve after indoor tanning, but treatment should be left to qualified professionals.

 

· Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

There exists a growing body of scientific evidence, which indicates that some people actually require more light exposure in order to function properly. Exposure to bright light, such as that emitted by the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Thus, when affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light, they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD). Just like with psoriasis, treatment should be left to trained medical professionals.

 

· "I have been told from several of my friends that showering directly after tanning will "wash" your tan away. They say it's best to wait about 3 hours after tanning to shower. Is this true?

No, taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away.  However, it is recommended to wait 3 to 4 hours to prevent certain bronzers from streaking. 

 

·Sometimes, I notice a strange smell after I tan, what is that?

The UV light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor you may notice is what's commonly known as the "after-tan" odor, a common occurrence when tanning indoors or outdoors, which is caused by harmless bacteria.  Some indoor designed tanning products are designed to help prevent after-tan odor. 

 

You may also want to consider purchasing Fresh-Ease After Tan Body Cloths.  They neutralize after tan odor, re-moisturize the skin, and won’t streak bronzers!  They are also excellent for removing makeup!  ($0.75)
 

·  What causes white spots?

There are several reasons why white spots become noticeable on the body once the tanning process begins. Patches of skin that do not tan could be the result of genetic determination. The melanocytes in that certain area may simply not be efficient at producing melanin.

White spots could also appear due to the presence of a fungus, which lives on the skin's surface. While the fungus is harmless, it does absorb UV light that would normally penetrate the skin. This fungus did not appear as a result of tanning; it merely becomes noticeable once tanning occurs. It can be remedied through the use of ARREST or HALT topical lotion sold at the front counter.

·   Is Indoor Tanning the same as tanning outdoors?

The key difference between indoor and outdoor sun exposure is that indoor tanning takes place in a highly controlled environment-the lamp's light spectrum produces a consistent and controlled amount of ultraviolet light. Unlike outdoor sun, you always know how much ultraviolet light you receive.

 

Today, all sun-beds and tanning booths used in salons are regulated by the F.D.A as Class II Medical Devices. This means you only get a standardized amount of UV exposure with a mixture of both UVB and UVA rays designed to minimize burning.

 

The tanning process and the energy produced from indoor and outdoor tanning are the same, but the light spectra are different. In most U.S. made equipment, indoor tanning relies on lamps that emulate a light spectrum similar to that of the sun.

Other benefits that differentiate indoor tanning from outdoor exposure are convenience, privacy, relaxation, and control of environment (i.e. elimination of the dust, chemicals, and other particles present in the outdoor air.) Indoor tanning eliminates variables such as season, time of day, reflection, and atmospheric conditions.

Another difference between indoor and outdoor tanning is that indoor exposure programs can be tailored to individual needs with regard to skin type and previous exposure experience. The controlled environment and the ability to time your UV exposure to the minute makes burning less likely with a tanning bed than with outdoor sun exposure.

·  You mention that you use VHO, VHO-R and VHR lamps in your tanning beds, what does that mean?

VHO (Very High Output) lamps use the external reflector shield on the beds.

VHO-R (Very High Output-Reflector) lamps have internal reflectors on the back of each lamp so they don't depend on external reflectors to do the reflecting work.  

VHR are Trademark Cosmedico VHO-R lamps....people adapted to VHR as a short form

Tanning Myths

Did you know the media is constantly fed many inaccuracies about the indoor tanning industry?  Here are some of the tanning myths recently promoted.  Some of the myths are new; some are old-nonetheless, all are inaccurate.

 

Myth 1: Indoor tanning is safer than exposure to natural sunlight.

The Food and Drug Administration uses 21 CFR 1040.20 to regulate the indoor tanning industry and forbids health claims such as "safe", "safer than the sun", etc. Claims like these also are monitored by the Federal Trade Commission. That being said, indoor tanning delivers controlled exposure by skin type and a timer system that minimizes the risk of erythema or sunburn. Natural sunlight offers no such control and there is certainly the likelihood of sunburn.

Myth 2: Tanning beds are 15 times stronger than natural sunlight.

This claim actually varies according to different sources25 times stronger, 50, 100, etc. Some substitute the phrase "typical solar radiation" or "noon- time" sun. All are incorrect. What specific sunlight are they referring to? What city offers typical solar radiation? UV intensity is affected by factors such as time of year, time of day, cloud cover, pollutants, proximity to the equator and reflective surfaces. The suns intensity is certainly stronger in Miami at noon on a clear day in July versus a cloudy day in Montreal at 3 p.m.

Myth 3: Properly using an SPF will keep me from getting skin cancer.

There is now an interesting development going on here. Certainly, proper use of a sunscreen with SPF can help with the prevention of sunburn, but studies show that the chemicals in sunscreen with SPF actually may lead to skin cancer. In the Free Radical Biology & Medicine journal, scientists at the University of California report that some of the chemicals found in sunscreen products can become cancer-causing agents once they are absorbed into the skin. Perhaps this is why more and more people are developing skin cancer, despite the increasing use of sun lotions.

"Sunscreens may be doing more harm than good," says lead researcher Dr. Kerry Hanson. "Combine this with the fact that some people actually will stay in the sun longer and may suffer from overexposure because they feel that they are completely protected by SPF products and you have a confusing issue."

Myth 4: Tanning while pregnant will cook the baby.

There is no current scientific and/or biological reason why a pregnant woman cannot tan. In fact, some researchers believe the productions of vitamin D caused by exposure to UVB may be beneficial to both the mother and fetus.

It is important to note that indoor tanning equipment utilizing either primarily UVA (as in high-pressure tanning equipment) or UVA and UVB (as in low-pressure products) penetrate the layers of the epidermis, dermis, and in some cases, the subcutaneous layer of the skin. It does not however, have sufficient energy to penetrate any further. UV tanning rays do not penetrate to a depth that would directly affect a fetus. However, there is some concern that the heat build-up, which inevitably occurs when tanning indoors and outdoors, may adversely affect some pregnant women, just as a sauna or Jacuzzi might.

One of the biggest concerns regarding tanning and pregnancy lies with the possibility of dehydration or overheating, which is referred to medically as hyperthermia. In the initial stages of pregnancy, there are certain studies that have linked extreme hyperthermia to birth defects including heart problems, abdominal-wall defects and problems with the development of the nervous system.

Most of these problems are rare, have not been linked to indoor tanning and only have been associated with prolonged exposure to temperatures of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more for several hours in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, regulatory standards typically limit the maximum temperature for commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a rule, in the later stages of pregnancy, most doctors report that a normal fetus is less sensitive to heat, although caution should still be exercised.

When considering the heat generated by tanning devices and pregnancy, common sense plays an important role. Pregnant women who decide to tan should be sure and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Whether a consumer is pregnant or not, when a person starts to feel uncomfortable from the heat, it is time to end the tanning session.

Here at Mimi's we recommend that pregnant women consult their physician before tanning indoors or outdoors.  If the ok is given we like to keep the tanning sessions to 10 minutes and under.

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Information given on this website is for consumer education only.  It is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.