Eye Pro, Inc.

June 2020 – Read entire article here. If you’re a salon and would like to receive a selection of FREE re-opening tanning memes to use for your social media marketing, simply email WinkEase@WinkEase.com with “IST Re-Open” in the subject line. EYE PRO will send you via email your FREE tanning memes to help you reach your tanners! 

Not opening yet? Email WinkEase@WinkEase.com with “IST Missing You” in the subject line for memes that let your tanners know they are important and the heart of your business.  

For more information on Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, visit WinkEase.com or contact EYE PRO at 1-800-726-8322.

Follow and “like” WINK-EASE on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Instagram and Pinterest to learn about special salon offers and promotions.

“Over-Hype your Cleanliness”

I recently spoke with Drew Spurgers, owner of three tanning salons in Little Rock and Conway, AR, about how his salons were re-opening after being closed for the health crisis. Spurgers has a unique perspective, as he also owns Kanga Studio, a marketing company that designs videos and websites for many types of businesses. With his advertising background, I thought his ideas would be helpful to other operators re-opening their facilities.

“My first recommendation is that operators do everything they can to create a fresh and clean environment. It’s really important that salon guests feel safe and secure to re-enter your salon,” Spurgers shared. “In the cleanliness arena, there is nothing you can do that

is above and beyond. We repainted and bought some inexpensive new furniture pieces to make everything look fresh and clean. We reorganized the front counter and added sanitizer and a cough shield. We are only taking appointments and allowing ten guests inside at a time. They’ll text us from the parking lot, so we can keep everyone socially distanced. We are doing a million other things, but the theme is, ‘This is the safest, cleanest salon in the world.’” Drew also explained that you have to inform your tanners about the changes, as well as what your expectations are. 

“Our second theme is to let them know everything we are doing to protect them,” he continued. “Communication is extremely important. You want to repeat your message in texts, emails, social media, signs on your salon’s door and inside your tanning rooms – the more you communicate, the more they will know you care.”

I asked Spurgers to expand on what might be involved in over-hyping cleanliness. “We are taking every precaution. We want our guests to be comfortable and protect them in every way, and we definitely want our staff and their families to be safe.” At his salon’s front door, Spurgers is adding hand sanitizer and keeps Clorox wipes for staff to wipe the door on both sides when guests enter and leave. “We’ll repeat that throughout the salon – at the counter and in the tanning rooms. We are providing tanning bed sanitizer in each room, in case the tanner wants to re-clean the bed for their peace of mind.”

Spurgers had some new ideas on eye protection, also. “For years, we have provided free eye protection. Now, we…

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May 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 offering FREE tanning ads for salons to use to reassure tanners and draw attention to the increased safety measures salons are taking as they re-open.

“Everyone is nervous about re-entering the outside world after this stay-at-home mandate,” reminds Jackie DeWald, Office Manager for EYE PRO.  “It’s important to still stay top of mind with your tanning clients as they begin going places outside their homes.  Social media continues to change the way businesses are communicating and interacting with clients, and these tanning memes are a great way to quickly make a fun, positive, immediate connection while reassuring customers you understand their concerns.” 

“With today’s world driven so much by what’s on social media, we wanted to keep helping support our salons and our industry in any way we can,”  stated Brenda Fishbaugh, President of EYE PRO, Inc,. “We have created a ton of positive “Can’t Wait to See You in Our Crazy Clean Salon!” tanning memes that are available at no cost to salons to post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help promote tanning during these unprecedented times.” Continue Reading »

May 2020 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE,  and WINK-EASE Dark, is always working hard to keep salon owners/staff and clients educated and informed about the importance of eye health, preventing eye disease and reducing vision loss.

 “We love helping salon owners educate their tanners through our educational counter mat, ” said Jackie DeWald, EYE PRO office manager.  “With the month of May being UV Awareness Month, it’s a perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of using the proper UV blocking eyewear to protect eyes — whether tanning indoors or out.” 

To get EYE PRO’s FREE Counter Mat for your salon, go to WinkEase.com/promos and use the code word: IST Counter Mat.

“Tanning salons need to be aware of and remember all of the ways they need to protect staff and clients’ vision. One of the most overlooked ways vision damage can happen is to change lamps without using proper eye protection,” reminded Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO president. “Our UV Blockers maintenance glasses are under $10, lightweight and fit any tech’s face, and offer the necessary protection.” Continue Reading »

April 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 offering fun tanning ads for salons to use to promote their pro-tanning presence and seasonal sales on social media.

“Spring is a perfect time to extend your sales season. It’s important to stay in front of tanners as they start going outside to tan,” suggests Jackie DeWald, Eye Pro Office Manager. “Memes are a fun way to make a positive and immediate connection.”

“Our world is so driven by social media, and we want to support salons and our industry in any way we can,” stated Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh.“We have created a ton of fun and positive seasonal memes that salons can post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help promote their tanning services during the spring season.” Continue Reading »

Demonstrate your concern for the well being of your tanning clients. They will appreciate your concern for their health and safety, especially in this time of heightened awareness to the spread of disease and germs.

Please click on the quiz below to download or print a .pdf of our Tanners’ Quiz.  You may also use the .jpg found below.  Contact EYE PRO if you need the quiz in another format or have trouble downloading.

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.

Click here to read more or download PDF of entire article.