A VETERAN SALON OWNER AND THE GUEST WHO WON’T BE “ASKED”

Friday, October 1st, 2021

I recently received this email from a salon owner who has asked to stay anonymous because he doesn’t want to be publicly disrespectful to a guest; so, I call him “Owner” here.

Owner wrote to me:
We have a few customers who insist that having our staff check eye pro- tection is not needed and that the law doesn’t actually require it. The wording of the code is a bit ambiguous to me. It clearly says eye protection is required, but it doesn’t say that the salons in our state MUST check each time. I won- dered if you had something we could use to better defend the eye protection requirement. Our guest claims she uses them, but us checking is “insulting” and she doesn’t want to be “treated like a child.” Any help is appreciated.

Owner wrote to his “insulted” tanner (in part):
We understand that not everyone likes to use or show eye protection, but it is Federal Law that FDA-compliant eye protection must be worn to use a UV tanning bed. Anything other than FDA-complaint eye protection does not comply with the law. Even if there were no official government requirement, we would still require it. It is my feeling this safety requirement comes with nearly no downside.

Due to COVID, we no longer offer communal eye protection. This means each person must have their own pair. It also means that before we can let someone into a room, we need to physically see that eye protection. Our intention is simply to follow the law and encourage the safest tanning environment that we can.

To be clear, on each visit you will be required to show FDA-compliant eye protection, or you will be refused service. To make it easier for you, I have added $0.50 to your account so you can redeem it for a free pair of disposable eye protection. If for some reason you prefer not to tan rather than show your eye protection, please let me know and we will refund you.

I thought Owner’s response was great. When we spoke on the phone, I learned that he had 17 years of experience in tanning. Owner shared, “The hardest thing about responding to this customer was that I wanted to be respectful, but firm. I thought it was important for her to understand why we require eye protection (for her safety) while not trying to hide behind a policy or pass the blame. The reason I added fifty cents on her account was to remove any barriers she might have, such as, ‘I didn’t bring any money’, etc.”

Here are some additional thoughts I provided to Owner:

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Promote Your Salon This Fall with FREE Tanning Memes!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

September 2021 – Eye Pro, Inc., world leader in clean, disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is helping make social media efforts easier for salons with fresh new seasonal memes geared toward fall … for FREE!

“Social media is a constantly moving target and now more than ever, people are relying on it for immediate attention and promotion,” explained Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “It’s hard enough to determine which platform is best for your particular salon and then, continuously develop posts that will engage your online followers. Social media ads,or ‘memes’ offer a quick, visual and fun way to stay in front of your customers on an on-going basis, while subtly educating them on the importance of eyewear, lotions and tanning tips.”
(more…)

How I Convince my Tanners to Wear Eyewear – Part Three

Wednesday, September 1st, 2021

In the July and August issues, I shared many ways tanning center operators coax guests into wearing eye protection during a UV session. Some, like Robert Ashe, Owner of Sun Seekers in Portsmouth, NH “smooth talk” their tanners. “I say to them, ‘You have beautiful eyes, I’d hate to see you ruin them’.” Others take the tough approach, like James Plummer, Owner of two Millennium Tan salons. “Eye protection is mandatory in my salons and tanners must have their own. No goggles, no tan!” he states. “We require tanners to physically show their FDA-compliant eye protection to our attendant at every single visit. My feeling is that this can save me from being sued years later,” this Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada operator explains.

Plummer brings up an important point about liability. The FDA reports that the No. 1 reason tanners seek medical attention after an indoor tanning session is eye (corneal) burns, called  photokeratitis. It’s so easy for a tanner to prevent eye injury – all they need to do is use one of the goggle types or disposable eye protection products you offer! I recommend you check in with your insurance agent. They most certainly are going to require that you ask for eye protection every time your tanner enters the facility, as it is a federal law, and also a state law in most states. (Want to know your state laws? Email Brenda@WinkEase.com with your state and I’ll send you the latest.)

Window Cling Reminds Tanners Eye Protection is Required

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

August 2021 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is offering a great way to help salons start the conversation with tanners about why eye protection is important, and more importantly, required — even before they walk through the salon door.

“Many tanners don’t realize why wearing eyewear protects your eyes, but also that it’s REQUIRED and not an option,” reminded Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO President. “Tanners sign a waiver that includes a lot of information, and that’s all they remember.  Asking new clients — ‘Do you have your eyewear?’ — might be seen as a bit confrontational.  A better approach is to use subtle messaging in every form of interaction with your tanners to help remind them that eye protection IS required and why it’s so important.”

For example, have your eye protection options on display behind the counter, or even on the front counter of the salon.  Keeping goggles and disposables in the display boxes they come in also really helps catch a tanner’s attention.  A professional sign in your lobby or hallway, or on each tanning bed reminds everyone that eyewear is required.  “If your staff has been eye-protection certified, framing and displaying your eye expert certificates on the wall also sends a strong ‘eye protection is important here’ message,” reminded Jackie DeWalk, EYE PRO Office Manager.

Social media is also a great way to bump your tanners with reminders. “When you run a professional salon with a highly educated staff, it’s so important to promote that to customers every chance you get,” said DeWald.  “We want to make sure salons are equipped with all the necessary tools to let tanners know they have eye protection options,” she continued.

“Our FREE window cling placed on the front window of your salon or just inside the door is the perfect way to not only let your tanners know eye protection is required before they walk in, but also that you carry the original ‘clean’ brand of disposable eye protection, and the best available,” explained Fishbaugh. “It helps start the conversation, while reminding them that not all eye protection is the same.”  (more…)

How I Convince Tanners to Wear Eyewear Part Two

Sunday, August 1st, 2021

Last month, my column featured interviews with several salon operators who shared their tips for encouraging tanners to wear eye protection. This month, I’m talking to longtime salon owner, Angelene Eubank.

“How do I convince my tanners they need to wear eye protection? For us, it’s all in the verbiage when we make a sale. Every time someone signs up or buys a package, we just grab a pair of goggles and say, ‘You absolutely need to protect your eyes,’ and just ring up the sale. Our guests do not even question it. If a tanner says, ‘Oh, I already have eyewear’ we say something like, ‘That’s great, keep using them to protect your eyes!’” shares this Mattawan, MI operator.

This industry veteran gained her skills by working in the family’s tanning salon business while going to college. “When I show a customer the correct way to fold disposable eyewear, I again emphasize the importance of wearing it,” explains Eubank. “And when I give a salon tour, I instruct them, ‘When you lie down on the bed, pull the canopy down, make sure that your eyewear is in place to protect your eyes, and push the start button.’”

“After two decades in the tanning industry, I’ve learned how repetition is important in making your message heard,” she continues. “Another way we reinforce the eyewear message is by placing the goggle tower and display box of disposables on our back counter, which is a great reminder to our tanners that they need to buy eyewear. The disposable eyewear display box is a conversation starter. Tanners will say, ‘She looks like an alien with those cones on.’ I use this as a lead-in to my pitch. Did you know those cones are see-through, but completely block all damaging UV light? Did you know those silly cones have been FDA compliant since 1985? Here, let’s put a pair on you, so you can see how well they work with no strings or nose bridge.”

WINK-EASE Dark Provides Protection for Red Light, Hybrid Beds & More!

Friday, July 2nd, 2021

July 2021 –EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK- EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, wants salon operators to know it’s simply smart to protect tanners’ eyes from any intense light by offering eye protection for every type of session.

Eye protection is not required by law for red-light sessions, but IS required in hybrid tanning units emit- ting UV. “Hybrids are super bright, because they are UV AND red light. So tanners can wear our disposable Ultra Gold or Lash Room styles, or they can really diminish the bright light with WINK-EASE Dark,” explained Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “Because of its custom fit, WINK- EASE Dark leaves maximum eye area exposed so the user receives the full benefits of red light, as well as protection from the extreme brightness.”

“Tanners love our original disposables; however, when they want a quick lunchtime nap, or they suffer from migraines or even have hangovers, the unanimous choice is disposable WINK-EASE Dark,” adds Fishbaugh. “They still provide FDA-compliant eye protection, but is considerably darker than our Ultra Gold style. It helps tanners nap more easily, avoid light-sensitive headaches, and is the perfect choice for hybrid sessions,” she continued. (more…)

How I Convince my Tanners to Wear Eyewear – Part One

Thursday, July 1st, 2021

You’ve heard from me before with my ideas for getting tanners to protect their eyes, but let’s go to salon owners around the country and ask them how they present a convincing eye protection case to their salon guests. So many operators shared their tips, this will be a multi-part series!

Kristin Lee Smithers, owner of Sunny Shores Tanning & Treasures in North East, PA, starts with a personal connec- tion. “I was dumb when I was younger and didn’t use eye protection. Now, I barely have night vision,” she explains. “Most of us understand that we should wear sunglasses outside, but it’s even more critical to wear eye protection in a sunbed.” Kristin tells them that it’s a state and federal law, as well as a require- ment of her insurance coverage, but she wants them to know how she damaged her eyes before becoming a salon owner.

Longtime salon owner, Rhonda Culligan, relocated to a new state and started all over with Sunsational Spray Tan Spa in Chattanooga, TN. She echoes Kristin’s approach. “I burned my retinas and corneas, so I am emphatic about tanners using eyewear!” she exclaims. She starts with, “Eyewear is required by law.

Keep it Clean and Easy with Disposable Eye Protection!

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

Keep it clean and easy at your salon and make sure your tanners know how you’re doing it!

June 2021 — EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE, and WINK-EASE Dark, wants salons to understand the benefits of offering disposable eye protection!

Since the pandemic began over a year ago, we have all looked for ways to keep things clean. No one wants to be sick or get anyone else sick. Salon owners want to keep their doors open and clients safe. Sometimes we don’t realize how simple keeping things clean really can be. Just look at the options of eye protection.

“In the tanning industry, eye protection is REQUIRED,” reminded Jackie DeWald, EYE PRO office manager.  “It is important for salon owners/staff to offer a variety of eye protection so clients may choose what is best for them. Along with offering options, it is also important to communicate to your clients how you are ensuring the eye protection options you offer are clean.”

“If your salon PROVIDES eye protection, it is very important that the tanner knows what cleaning procedures are in place,” said DeWald. “If your salon SELLS eye protection, the tanner also needs to know what THEY should be doing to keep their eye protection clean.”

“One of the easiest solutions to making sure you have a clean eye protection option is to offer disposable eye protection,” DeWald continued. “Disposable eye protection has to be manufactured in an FDA-compliant facility that is inspected, providing tanners with the knowledge that each pair is carefully manufactured. Disposable eye protection is also meant to only be used once. EVERY pair is fresh and clean for the tanner!” (more…)

What are Sunbed Cleaning BEST PRACTICES?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

In the April issue of IST Magazine, I wrote about using proper tanning bed disinfectants and not substituting janitorial cleaners, beauty product cleaners, or home-made “cleaners” that are potentially dangerous to tanner’s skin, harmful to acrylic shields and simply not disinfecting to the required standards. I hope you also remember that the product that is required to be used after every tanner’s session is properly called a “disinfectant.” A bed “cleaner” is actually more of a polish, meant to buff scratches on acrylics, shine the handles and get into the tiny corners – best used for weekly detailed cleaning.

For many salons, this is a typically slower time of year – a good time to do some deep cleaning. So, now that I’ve convinced you to use proper hospital-grade disinfectants made specifically for cleaning sunbeds, I’d like to cover HOW to do it properly.

First, make sure you mix disinfectant solution properly. I can’t tell you how many salons I’ve been in where they
just add more concentrate to “make it better!” It doesn’t make the solution better; it makes it strong enough to irritate tanners’ skin! It’s critical that you mix disinfectant to the exact label specs.

Second, you must check your solution with a quaternary (“quat”) test strip. This litmus paper is similar to what is used to test pool water. Sunbed disinfectants require specific ratios based on their ingredients.

Third, use a fresh towel to disinfect each bed. Here is a tanning horror story: I was training a salon team and noticed a towel draped over a bottle of disinfectant. They used that towel on every bed, all day long … terrifying! Tingle products, sweat (and whatever else) being smeared from one sunbed acrylic to the next. I don’t need to say it: don’t do this.

The sunbed disinfectant experts advise you to spray the solution on the acrylic and wait 60 seconds. It takes that long to sanitize the acrylic – don’t just spray and wipe! Waiting 60 seconds sanitizes and kills 99.9% of fungus and germs. So, spray…

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

EYE PRO’s ‘Salon Tips’ Proves A Valuable Online Resource for Salons

Sunday, May 2nd, 2021

EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE, and WINK-EASE Dark, wants to support salons as much as possible, and has a special section of their website dedicated to doing just that!

Looking for a checklist as to what makes a “clean” salon to see how yours measures up? Want to know how to start selling eyewear instead of offering it for free? Know what the proper procedure is for cleaning goggles? Or, what really does happen to your eyes when you don’t wear eyewear? How about how to prevent “raccoon eye” tan lines? The answers to all of these questions and more can be found in the “Salon Tips” section of WinkEase.com – Eye Pro’s website – and best of all, it’s FREE and available 24/7 to any salon operator.

“Offering salons support is so important to us at Eye Pro, and to our industry as a whole,” reminded Jackie DeWald, Office Manager. “That’s why we have a dedicated section of our website called ‘Salon Tips’ where operators find quick and easy ways to help educate their salon team, as well as information on proven ideas and sales tips.” The site offers a variety of things: a FREE, 30-minute online staff training; downloadable, singlepage PDFs of salon tips, including a 104-point salon cleaning checklist; the WINK-EASE “one-time use” letter to share with tanners who want to re-use their disposable eyewear; articles explaining how to switch to selling eyewear instead of cleaning it; a Tanners’ Quiz and more. “Our goal is to be an online resource to help salons increase sales,” DeWald continued. “The ‘Salon Tips’ section is found at WinkEase.com/support/salon-tips/ and we add new tips all the time.”

The WinkEase.com Salon Tips section is a collection of the top salon procedures to share with all tanning establishments, according to Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “We encourage top salons to contribute their proven best practices, and we hope every salon team can incorporate something they find under ‘Salon Tips’ and make it their own best practice for their specific location and clientele.”

Eye Pro also has posted very informative videos on YouTube to help explain how to properly wear products and learn which are best for your salon guests. To learn about special salon offers, promotions and free social media support for salons, follow and “like” Eye Pro on Facebook (Wink-Ease), Twitter or Pinterest. For more info on Eye Pro products, visit WinkEase.com or call 800.726.8322.