Well, maybe the title’s a little misleading. Guess it should say “some” about UV because there’s so much to say.
Last week, we began a two part series on sunless tanning. This is Part II of that series as we cover UV (ultra violet) services, or as some affectionately call it, “tanning”.
In recent memory, few things that people do, other than cigarette smoking, drinking, overeating or partaking in illegal pharmaceuticals, have been as maligned as utilizing UV services.
“Tanning” has been taxed, attacked, warned against and outright shunned. In fact, in recent years, the so-called tanning industry has declined precipitously. At Planet Beach League City, we’ve also seen this, watching a dramatic shift in member composition from one that primarily used UV services to one that now mostly uses spa services.
We at Planet Beach have no opinion on UV- whether it’s good or whether it’s bad. We simply offer it as a service and emphasize what we’ve been practicing all along. You won’t hear say us things like “dark tan”, “get your tan on” or “maximize your tanning results.” At least not in a serious manner. Because that’s simply not what we’re about.
For our members who utilize UV services, we emphasize moderation.
Now, of course, a number of experts, such as alternative medicine expert, Dr. Joe Mercola, have come forward and said that maybe getting some UV isn’t so bad. A UV bed is, after all, simply a more intense expression of the UV that’s already present outside. Mercola, in his 2004 book, The UV Advantage, points out that UV wasn’t always this reviled. In fact, in the 1930s and 40s, doctors regularly gave doses of UV to clients for various ailments with good results.
Mercola and others believe UV can help with certain conditions. Among them, they believe moderate exposure can help someone prevent sunburn if they’re going to spend extended time in the sun. They also point out the fact that a person’s exposure is controlled in an indoor unit. UV can also be used to casually treat cosmetic skin conditions. More than three million consumers use UV services to self-treat psoriasis, eczema, acne, vitiligo (a condition in which there is a loss of pigment from the skin), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Others use it to elevate their vitamin D levels. Approximately one million indoor tanners said they were referred to tanning facilities by their dermatologist. Other doctors say UV can help with certain types of health conditions, among them mental illness, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Normal levels of Vitamin D, associated with UV exposure, could also play a role in maintaining muscle strength, according to experts. In addition, as contentious as it sounds, some doctors say that mounting evidence suggests that such cancers as breast, prostate, colon and ovary might be, at least partly, influenced by vitamin D deficiency, largely caused by lack of UV. Another unexpected benefit, that is communicated to us by our members, is that their time in a UV bed is the only time they get to themselves in a day.
The debate on UV will likely continue for some time, with doctors and experts lining up on both sides.
Whatever your reason for doing UV, our approach at Planet Beach is simple. We start with a skin type analysis and then build a program based on moderate usage. This helps clients meet their primary objectives of looking and feeling better while maintaining overall skin health.
Then, there are our membership packages. We offer upgraded beds without the upgraded fees. Members pay one simple amount every month to utilize our UV services and can utilize them anywhere in Houston. In addition, our corporate headquarters also recently added UV memberships that allow members to tan anywhere there is a Planet Beach.
Maybe you’ve never done UV before and are wondering if it is right for you. If you have any questions about smart, safe and responsible UV usage, feel free to ask one of our knowledgeable and friendly spa consultants, and they’ll be happy to help you decide if UV is right for you.
Until the next time, make it a great week! -Bill
For more information about moderate UV usage, you can check out the following links.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/68828-advantages-indoor-tanning/ benefits-of-exposure-to-sunlight
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg17924113.400-let-the-sunshine-in.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/9772.php
