Eye Pro, Inc.

March 2020 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, wants salons and tanners to know that WINK-EASE Dark is for Red Light sessions AND tanning!

“Tanners love our original Ultra Gold WINK-EASE disposable eye protection, however, when a tanner is hoping to catch a true power nap, the unanimous eye protection of choice is WINK-EASE Dark,” says Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO president. “WINK-EASE Dark disposable eye protection still provides FDA-compliant eye protection, but is considerably darker than our Ultra Gold WINK-EASE.  WINK-EASE Dark helps tanners nap more easily and avoid light-sensitive headaches,” Fishbaugh continued. 

Even though eye protection is not required by law for Red Light sessions, it IS required in hybrid units emitting UV.  “Because of its custom fit, WINK-EASE Dark leaves maximum eye area exposed so clients receive the full benefits of Red Light in red light units or hybrid beds, while still protecting the eye from the VERY bright red light emitted,” says Fishbaugh. 

It’s simply very smart to protect your eyes from intense light and for salons to require eye protection for every offering,” Fishbaugh concluded. Continue Reading »

How long should a tanner use the same pair of goggles?

Lisa Parsons, Director of Brand Development at Devoted Creations (makers of Podz eyewear) recommends that tanners replace goggles quarterly. “Most likely, your salon guests will have lost or broken their goggles before they need to be replaced,” this industry veteran explains. “It’s really important that tanners keep goggles clean. I think lens wipes for sunglasses are the quickest and easiest way to disinfect re-useable eyewear. But even if goggles are cleaned after every use, a tanner will want to replace them frequently to minimize the risk of contact with germs.”

I also asked Chris Shaffer of New Sunshine Brands what that product-maker suggests. “Consumers should fully review the information provided either on or within the eyewear packaging to ensure proper usage and care,” the VP of sales explains. “Cracked or damaged eyewear should not be used. Tanners need to understand that goggles are not intended for prolonged use. Use and care instructions could vary based on design or material.”

Shaffer adds, “When using Australian Gold disinfectant solution to sanitize eyewear, usage instructions should be reviewed and followed closely. The formulas and instructions can differ slightly by manufacturer.” This 29-year industry veteran weighed in with one final thought: “Goggles should be stored in a cool, dry place.”

Parsons had additional suggestions…

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February 2020 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is all about providing salon support. 

“Do you have tanners who use the same pair of disposable eyewear over and over?”  asks Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO president. “This is NOT allowed by the FDA and we can provide you proof to share with your tanners. If you’re a salon, we can send you our “One Time Use” letter on Eye Pro stationery indicating we are licensed as a Class One Medical Product.  Since disposable eye protection cannot be properly cleaned, it can only be worn ONCE,” Fishbaugh continued. 

“Disposable eye protection is a Class One Medical Device, just like cotton balls and tongue depressors.  You surely wouldn’t use a tongue depressor more than once,” explains Jackie DeWald, Office Manager. “The medical adhesive used with disposable eye protection is meant to hold the product in place. Since the product cannot have the adhesive ‘cleaned’ after use, it is only authorized to be used once,” says DeWald.
Continue Reading »

Jim Bivens, Operator of The Islands tanning facility in Pine- hurst, NC reminds his guests to wear eye protection with these words: “If you are blind, you can’t see your tan!” One day, a blind person walked into his salon seeking a tan. Bivens now provides his severely vision-impaired tanner with sessions in a voice-activated Sun Angel tanning system, so the guest’s tanning experience is as simple as possible.

Bivens doesn’t run the only salon that serves a sight-impaired tanner. Renee Flask, Manager at Paradise Tanning in Capitola, CA has a tanner who requires a cane and holds items up to her face to read the labels. Flask enjoys reading la- bels and instructions for her. Her guest can’t drive and uses the bus system to come to the salon. “She says she really likes warming up, taking a nap and get- ting a bit of a break,” Flask shares.

Michelle Norvell, Owner of Bare Necessities Tanning Salon and Day Spa in Graham, WA places her sight-impaired client’s hands on the tanning system controls to remind her where everything is when it’s been a while since her last session.

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FT. WAYNE, IN – Eye Pro, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is offering even more support to salons to beef up their professional presence on social media. 

“Salons love our personalized ‘Eye Protection Expert’ certificates to display in their salons and show customers each staff member has been trained in all aspects of eye protection,” stated Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “Now, salons can receive a FREE ‘Eye Protection Expert Salon’ badge to post on the salon’s website and social media pages, letting potential and current tanners know the professionalism of the salon before they step foot in the door!” 

“We offer a FREE, award-winning, salon training online – available 24/7,” reminded Jackie DeWald, Eye Pro Office Manager. “Upon completion of this training, which explains both how to become an eyewear expert and a ton of easy ways to earn more on eyewear, salons will receive the ‘Eye Protection Expert Salon’ badge to proudly display on both the salon’s social media channels and website,” she continued. “When you run a professional salon with a highly educated staff, it’s so important to promote that to customers, and we feel our certificates and badge help send that message to salon clientele.”  Continue Reading »

At this season’s trade shows, I heard from several salon operators that very few of their tanners were wearing eye protection, even those who had always worn it in the past. The reason? Smart phones! Everyone is busy texting or Candy Crushing during their tanning sessions. Don’t believe it? Think about how many phone calls you hear from your tanning rooms – your guest’s phones are definitely being used. If a salon owner didn’t believe me, I asked their staff members … yep, you guessed it! They are the worst culprits, catching up on texts and not wearing eye protec- tion so they can see their phones!

Is it dangerous to have your eyes open while tanning indoors? Yes; but only if you are NOT wearing eye protection. All goggles and disposable eye protection shown in major tan- ning product distributors’ catalogs and advertised in IST Magazine provide a complete UV block, and yes, they are all see-through. How can eye protection be see-through AND completely block ultraviolet light (UVA and UVB)? Remember: closing your eyes doesn’t block UV light because your eyelid skin is too thin. And, remember that the UV spectrum is invisible. The sunglasses you wear outdoors block UV and are still see-through, right? Indoor eye protection is exactly the same. They block damaging UV rays, but allow visible light (a completely different spectrum) through. The tint in sun- glasses and goggles is just to make it comfortable in the bright sun and a bright tanning bed. Dark sunglasses don’t block any more UV than very lightly tinted sunglasses.

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December 2019 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, wants to make sure salons and tanners understand the dangers of not wearing proper eye protection when tanning.  Due to popularity, we are keeping with our 2019 training for the 2020 season, as salons found it highly entertaining and really instructive.

“Many salons don’t realize that an average tanning salon has less than 50% of their tanners wearing eye protection,” explained Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO president. “A salon that aggressively sells eyewear and pushes eye protection safety could easily approach 70%! This leaves a lot of room for a salon to increase eyewear sales.”

“Eyewear sales can be quick and easy earnings and a great way to increase revenue – during season or even in slow months,” Fishbaugh continued. “Explaining the importance of wearing eye protection while tanning doesn’t require the same loads of explanation on why this lotion is better than that lotion, or why an EFT is a great idea.”

Fishbaugh has found that some salon staff don’t even wear eye protection. “A salon team won’t push eyewear if they don’t believe in it, or understand it’s the federal law for EVERY state,”  says Fishbaugh. She agrees it’s a battle for salon owners to educate tanners on the importance of eye protection. “Consider having your employees complete the Eye Protection Module in the online ‘Sun Is Life’ program,” she suggests.  “The fun, inexpensive and youth-oriented training involves role-playing situations of what to do when a customer says they don’t want eye protection or won’t spend money on goggles.”   Continue Reading »

1.How did you get into the tanning industry?

Someone I previously worked with had been a college intern for (Eye Pro President) Brenda Fishbaugh and thought I would be a great fit for Eye Pro. I met with Brenda and 21 years later, we are still working together!

2.What do you like most about your job?

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November 2019 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, encourages salons to look for opportunities to become involved in supporting their local community.

“Supporting small businesses within your community shows you care and support your local economy,” explained Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO president. “You can choose from a variety of efforts and activities and pick one to do during the upcoming holidays — ‘Tans for Cans’, ‘Toys for Tots’, ‘Charity Tree’, or the support of a local family having a hard time, etc. (just to name a few) — the opportunities to give back are endless,” Fishbaugh continued. “It never hurts to ask your business contacts to help support a good cause too. You may find other manufacturers supporting your salon with lotions, eyewear or a variety of accessories who are more than willing to help.” 

EYE PRO loves working with salons to help support planned events. EYE PRO’s Celebration Pack with educational materials on why eye protection is important, as well as samples for the salon is available to provide to tanners who participate in a planned event. Continue Reading »