The Suntanning Association for Education (SAE) is a trade association meant to uphold the professionalism of the indoor tanning industry. The SAE aims to instruct the people engage in indoor tanning so that they become trained professionals. It will educate tanning bed users so that they will use the indoor tanning technology responsibly and moderately. At the same time, the association will release scientifically-based information about indoor tanning so that it can equalize the biased negative view of using tanning beds.
Members of the SAE are well-informed about the FDA regulations, the potential benefits and risks of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the importance of eye protection and other tanning accessories, the concept of photosensitivity, the proper maintenance of tanning beds and tanning booths, and the ethical management of a tanning center.
Specifically, a trained professional of the SAE will advocate the following practices:
1. Provide the clients of tanning salons a consent form before they use either the bed or the booth. These forms should be carefully read and then signed by each customer.
2. Deny any request made by clients to stay inside a tanning unit longer than what is suggested by the manufacturing unit. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation can increase the potential risks of tanning.
3. Advise clients to always wear tanning goggles. Any person who insists on not using the protective eye wear will be refused by the trained professional and by the tanning salon.
4. Post on a clearly visible part of the salon all the necessary precautionary reminders and warning signage. The patrons of the salon should easily see and read the messages of these signage.
5. Display an accurate, complete, and updated chart of photosensitizing agents. The chart should be readily understandable. If a client has questions about the chart, the SAE professional should be on hand to answer the questions as best as he could.
6. Utilize tanning beds, tanning booths, accessories, and replacement bulbs that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Any equipment or accessory that does not comply with the standards of the FDA should not be used.
7. Purchase and use cleaning agents or sanitizing solutions that are specially manufactured for the tanning equipment. The use of inappropriate solutions, like a bleach, may damage the parts of the tanning bed or tanning booth.
The practices of SAE professionals are commendable and they contribute greatly in making indoor tanning a safe process.
