The tanning salon: an area survey of equipment, procedures, and practices

Because so little data are available on practices and procedures used by tanning salons, we studied, as customers, salons in a major city in Arkansas, the state where the practice began. We measured both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) output at multiple reference points and found UVB always to be present, but at lower-than-expected levels. The highest irradiance was always at the umbilicus and the lowest was on the face. We evaluated compliance with accepted safety principles and federal guidelines and regulations; too often we found no eye protection and sometimes we found inadequate limits of exposure time. Persons with skin types I and II were sometimes promised a safe, effective UVA tan that would protect against sunburn. From our experience we concluded that if the industry is to continue, there is need for closer supervision and regulation.