Well, this can often happen when one state starts a legal precedent: to put it simply, other states are now considering the teen tanning ban.
Last Sunday, governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that banned anyone under 18 from using a tanning bed. Now other states, specifically Ohio, New York, Illinois and Rhode Island are considering a similar bill. Naturally there are all sorts of opinions for and against the possible measure, and there are definitely some interesting perspectives represented in the above-linked article.
This is definitely troubling news for many tanning businesses that depend on a portion of these younger tanners for their income. However there are other salon owners that are coming to terms with the new constraints and are quietly rethinking their business strategies and considering other means of income, such as spray tanning (especially for the younger customers) and red light therapy to make up for lost income. It will be interesting to see what business owners come up with. Some associations, such as the ITA will most likely fight the bills, as they have with the tanning tax, but the tanning tax is still active too, so it would be best to plan on the bans being around for a while if you are in one of the mentioned states (assuming the bills to ban teen tanning are passed).
Speaking of the tanning tax, reports are showing that it is bringing in less income than projected, which was what many opponents predicted when the tax was announced. It looks like the tax is going to bring in around 70 to 75 million in 2011, which is going to fall short of the projected 200 million. Several reasons were given for the shortfall, such as an abrupt announcement of the tax and its subsequent hasty implementation, as well as the confusing nature of its exact application.
Should’ve gone with the botax!
We came across an article that discusses a new bill that is making its way in the California legislature.
The bill hasn’t passed yet, but would prohibit tanning for anyone under 18 years of age. After the tan tax was passed, business owners commented that their business was hurt, and now with an under 18 ban, owners worry that they are going to be taking even tougher hits.
The article goes on to ask if the government isn’t being too hard on the tanning industry these days. Definitely worth a read!
There is an interesting story going around about a salon owner and her two daughters who survived a tornado by taking refuge in a tanning bed. Good for them! Here is some coverage of the event.
We’ve been watching coverage of the storms in the southeastern part of the country with horror. Destructive tornadoes have been carving up towns all over the map, leaving many homeless and over 240 dead. Our condolences go out to the victims of these terrible storms.
However there are some good bits of news amid the chaos. Saved by a tanning bed! Read more here.
Well, the housing market is still in the dumps, we all know. This leaves the renting market, where customers are flocking in search of deals in these hard times. Some landlords are offering some interesting incentives for renting with them. Can you say…tanning beds?
Many in the tanning industry have recently been talking about red light therapy as an exciting new service to offer in the salon. Red light therapy involves the use of red-tinted light, usually in the form of LEDs or flourescent bulbs. Red light penetrates further into the skin, to the hypodermis layer, where it stimulates collagen production to help keep skin firm and flexible, making the user look younger.
There are manufacturers now offerning red light beds for salons and personal use, as well as more portable units for quick treatments. This is a great service to offer in a tanning salon, where many customers are going to be well-infomed on skincare, and very interested in healthy, young-looking skin as well.
Positive results from red light therapy include younger, more firm skin, the smoothing of wrinkles, increased blood flow in extremities such as the legs, clearing up of acne, and even faster healing with cuts and scrapes. These results have not been scientifically recorded, but well observed among users of the therapy.
It is important to note that red light therapy takes more time for effects to become noticeable, but the therapy could offer great long term benefits for healthy-looking skin. Definitely something to look into.
