In keeping with our policy of Smart Indoor Tanning, new clients will be these questions before they use the salon the first time. 1. What is the natural color of your skin? __________ (0) Reddish-white __________ (2) White-beige __________ (4) Beige __________ (8) Light brown __________ (12) Brown __________ (16) Black 2. What is your natural hair color? __________ (0) Red, light blond __________ (2) Blond, light brown __________ (4) Brown __________ (8) Dark brown __________ (12) Brownish-black __________ (16) Black 3. What is your eye color? __________ (0) Light blue, light green, light gray __________ (2) Blue, Green, Gray __________ (4) Light brown __________ (8) Brown __________ (12) Dark brown __________ (16) Black 4. How many freckles do you naturally have on your untanned body? __________ (0) Many __________ (2) Some __________ (4) Few __________ (8) None 5. Which best describes your genetic heritage? __________ (0) Celtic Caucasian __________ (2) Caucasian, light-skinned European __________ (4) Caucasian, dark-skinned European __________ (8) Caucasian, Mediterranean __________ (12) Middle Eastern, Indian, Asian, Hispanic __________ (16) Aborigine, African, African-American 6. Which best describes your SUNBURN potential? __________ (0) Always burn without tanning __________ (2) Usually burn but can tan __________ (4) Occasionally burn but tan moderately __________ (8) Seldom sunburn and tan easily __________ (12) Rarely sunburn and tan profusely __________ (16) Never sunburn 7. Which best describes your TANNING potential? __________ (0) Never tan __________ (2) Can tan lightly __________ (4) Can tan moderately __________ (8) Can get a dark tan

Now add the points from your seven answers to determine your total score. Match your total score with the correct skin type listed below. Total Score __________________ SCORE SKIN TYPE DESCRIPTION 0 - 7 SKIN TYPE I Very sensitive to sunlight. 8 - 21 SKIN TYPE II Sensitive to sunlight. 22 - 42 SKIN TYPE III Normal sensitivity to sunlight. 43 - 68 SKIN TYPE IV Skin is tolerant to sunlight. 65 - 84 SKIN TYPE V Skin is brown. Very tolerant. 85+ SKIN TYPE VI Skin is black. Extreme tolerance. Your Skin Type ______________

About Skin Type I

Skin type I is the lightest, most burn-prone skin type according to the skin type classification system. People with skin type I burn easily, never tan, and have extremely sensitive skin.

The skin itself is very light in color. The skin may freckle when exposed to a bit of sun, instead of tanning. People with skin type I are cautioned against overexposure to ultraviolet light either from the sun or an indoor tanning bed.

People between the two types may burn or tan in different ranges. This is important to know when you attempt to usetanning beds or tan outside in the sun. It will determine the difference in how long you should sit under UV rays.

Understanding the Tanning Process

There are two layers to skin: the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of skin, the one you can touch and that touches everything. The dermis is the inner layer of skin below the epidermis. The difference between them is the epidermis consists of dead cells and the dermis has live cells. The dermis contains melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin, the pigmentation that gives your skin its color.

Melanocytes are specialized cells that are responsible for producing melanin. When melanocytes are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, they react by producing more melanin, which in turn colors your skin. Melanin absorbs UV light, so once a base melanin level develops, it provides protection from overexposure to UV.

Depending on how much light you get, your skin reacts and turns darker. If too much sun is exposed and your skin cannot handle it, your skin will burn. This is why it is so important to know your skin type and regulate how long you are in a tanning bed.

So when you sit in the sun or in a tanning bed, your skin reacts to the sunrays. In order to protect itself, it produces more melanin. If too much sunlight reaches the skin, it burns. You need to protect your skin and prevent burns. It is also healthy to get enough sun for a nice tan. To get a better balance, tanning beds may be helpful in controlling how much UV light you get.

Tanning and Moisturizing

The moisture and additives present in professional tanning lotions help reduce wrinkling, drying of the skin, premature aging of the skin, and burning caused by UV rays. In addition, tanning lotions help your skin to produce that dark tan everyone craves.