Got Sunless? Get Certified
Training Boosts Customer Confidence, Salon Profits

Sunless tanning is a natural extension of spa services because it completes the overall body-treatment experience. Spas that wish to stay competitive in this growing market should take a closer look at incorporating these personalized services in a professional and comfortable manner. A professional sunless program administered by a staff member properly trained in the sunless technique will boost customer confidence and, in turn, increase salon profits.

In July 2004, the FDA released a statement on DHA, which came as a reminder to sunless airbrush technicians that care should be used when applying sunless solution. When using products containing DHA as a spray or mist, sunless airbrush or turbine technicians must avoid exposure to parts of the body for which DHA is not approved, including the area of the eyes, lips or mucous membrane, or even inhalation.

Spa staff should take extra care in ensuring proper ventilation during the sunless session. Clients also should try to avoid direct application of the product into the eye area, and should use a lip balm or other barrier product on the lips and in the nostrils.

Because of this, the FDA suggests to consumers to ask the following questions when considering spas where DHA is applied by spraying or misting:

• Are consumers protected from exposure in the entire area of the eyes, in addition to the eyes themselves?
• Are consumers protected from exposure on the lips and all parts of the body covered by mucous membrane?
• Are consumers protected from internal exposure caused by inhaling or ingesting the product?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, the FDA says that the consumer is not protected from the use of sunless products. In this case, the FDA suggests that the consumer request measures to protect his or her eyes and mucous membranes and prevent inhalation.

To provide a competitive edge to spas and facilities offering airbrush or turbine sunless tanning, the National Tanning Training Institute (NTTI) was the first to offer two online sunless certification courses designed to educate staff about this growing trend.

The Introduction to Sunless Tanning course covers the basics about sunless tanning and is designed to help employees expand their knowledge of the sunless process and promote another increasingly popular service. This course provides sunless tanning basics, including the function of DHA, sunless facts and misconceptions, tips on increasing profits and more.

The Sunless Airbrush Technician course is designed specifically for facilities offering sunless airbrushing or turbine services. Based on research and tests conducted by some of the leading manufacturers of sunless spray systems, this course takes the technician from setup to application while discussing technique, safety, pricing and more.

Professional salons and day spas now have the ability to offer superior sunless airbrush services delivered by well-trained and certified sunless airbrush technicians.

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