There are a few more things happening this month that could have some significance for the tanning industry. We are currently experiencing a slow process in which tanning bills are coming up in state legislatures around the country, and according to the state, either are being passed or shot down. Depending on where tanning salon owners live and depending on the traffic they get and the various habits of their customers, these bills could affects on business and they could not.
A bill being proposed in Utah right now would require minors’ parents to overview tanning guidelines and cautions in order for minors under 18 to tan. The bill probably wouldn’t change much; many tanning salons already engage in this process. The bill may or not pass depending on who opposes it.
Another parental permission tanning bill was struck down in Colorado. The bill would have required minors under 18 to get parent permission, and minors under 14 to have their parents come with them to tan, but opponents said the bill amounted to needless red tape and that it was up to the parents anyway whether their children could tan, so the bill was struck down.
Many tanning salon owners are still not too concerned about teen tanning restrictions or even bans. They say very few of their customers are below 18 and when they are that young they come in with their parents anyway. Still, there are others in the industry that are strongly opposed to the bans because of lost revenue and possibly hurt business.
Also, celebrities and tans!
Everyone, including us, has been busy taking sides on the debates behind the tanning bans and the tanning tax. The whole tanning debate concerning sunscare and how much you should tan seems like ancient history, but its still important to these issues.
We came across another writer’s opinion that got us thinking about this issue again. Her blog post brought up a good point: why are so many commenters and lawmakers picking on tanning lately? Isn’t anything in excess harmful to an extent?
This brings us back to the sunscare debates. Can’t we tan in moderation and get our dose of Vitamin D? Why slather on sunscreen and go around with hats and sunglasses all the time in total fear of the sun? Vampires do this, sure, but will our skin burst in flames if we get hit with sunlight?
Tanning beds emit similar sorts of UV rays. Tanning proponents often claim that tan skin actually protects the sun from harmful burns, which are the real culprit. So what’s wrong with hitting the tanning beds here and there, getting a base tan, and then enjoying sunny vacation spots without having to worry so much about burns?
We talk about having too much alcohol or eating too much all the time, which can definitely be harmful, but that doesn’t lead us to condemn drinking and eating all in one breath. Can’t we just do everything in moderation? Just something to think about.
Despite a lot of negative coverage of the tanning industry in the news and all the constraints imposed over the last year such as the tanning tax and the teen tanning bans, tanning remains a fashionable activity among teenagers and young adults.
That’s mainly because popular culture still holds tanned skin as healthy-looking and attractive. If people aren’t in the booths tanning, they are applying tanning sprays and creams to get that bronze skin color.
Many kids and young adults like to tan before Spring Break so they can look good and not have to worry as much about burning during their vacation. Many tanning salons get a surge of business right before Spring Break with students looking to get a base tan before they go on their sunny vacations. These students like to tan and workout for an improved body image and a chance to show off for their peers during the break.
Even during the off seasons, younger adults and teens like to come in for a tan because they like to feel warm and many report that it makes them feel good not only while tanning but in terms of state of mind. Tanners get their doses of Vitamin D and feel happier even during the off days.
Given these ongoing trends, the tanning industry should be doing okay for some time to come.
