The Tanning Process The popularity of indoor tanning has increased with each passing year since its introduction to the market in the early nineteen-eighties; it is now estimated that more than ten million people per year, nation wide are consumers of this exciting new technology. The strong appeal toward indoor tanning is evident: it provides a convenient way to achieve a spectacular, summer tan year round in a discreet environment. However, if you are not yet one of the millions who are feeling younger and healthier through this process, but are thinking about it; it is very important to understand the tanning process so you can know what to expect from your next visit to one of Sun Dial’s tanning salons. We understand when you start a membership, you are eager to see results; unfortunately, the tanning process is not something that can be rushed. In some cases, it can take several sessions before a darker, luxuriant hue is reached. In the beginning, recommended exposure times may vary depending on the make and model of the tanning bed; it might be as short as five minutes. Satisfying results may take up to 48 hours, and a tanning accelerator could be applied to achieve the most distinctive difference. How Your Skin Tans Your skin is designed to tan as your body's defense against sunburn. It is a natural process whether you tan in a salon or under the sun. The tanning lamps in a professional salon use carefully researched combinations of ultraviolet light.

UVA: Longer light wave that penetrates deeper into your skin. The pinkish melanin in your skin absorbs UVA light, turning the melanin brown. UVB: Short intense light wave that stimulates the melanocytes in your skin to produce the pinkish pigment we call melanin. EPIDERMIS: Tanning takes place in the outermost layer of your skin. The epidermis has two main sections: the horny layer and the germinative layer. HORNY LAYER: Dead skin cells which form a protective layer for lower, more sensitive layers. UV light exposure thickens this layer, creating additional protection. GERMINATIVE LAYER: Living cells in this layer are constantly produced and replaced. The cells migrate up to the horny layer, where they slough off in 30-day cycles. MELANOCYTES: Special skin cells that make up about 5% of everyone's epidermis. Melanocytes produce the pinkish pigment melanin, which is absorbed by all surrounding skin cells. That pigment turns brown when exposed to ultraviolet light. Although everyone has the same number of melanocytes in their skin, heredity determines how much melanin your melanocytes can produce, making you lighter or darker skinned. MELANIN: The pinkish pigment absorbs UV light (turning pigment brown) to keep the light from reaching deeper, more sensitive layers of the skin. Melanin production is your skin's natural protection from sunburn. Once you have begun your regular tanning schedule, you will find the session length that is right for you. Everyone is different, so for optimum results use the Sun Dial’s skin typing chart to help formulate the best tanning strategy. Caution is of course, recommended with a new indoor tanning regimen or even when switching to a new tanning salon and the beds are of different make and models. UV intensity could vary perhaps, somewhat radically, from your customary equipment; the possible difference in a twenty-minute session should be given due consideration. Sun Dial consultants are well-trained experts and can make excellent recommendations for achieving a beautiful, dark tan!

2007 Sun Dial Tanning Salon • Tallahassee, Florida