How would you describe the
tanning industry today?
It’s very popular today, especially
spray tanning. People have
learned how to use the beds. Keep
in mind, the tanning beds are
much more advanced than they used to be.
What’s changed?
The bulbs are much more advanced today. It doesn’t
take nearly as long to get a perfect tan. Plus, they’re
a great source of vitamin D.
Is it the bulbs that separates a good tanning
salon from the others?
Absolutely. Plus you have to have a real knowledge
of skin and the equipment being used. Remember
that people don’t come in just to tan. We have
customers who come in with medical issues, vitamin
D deficiencies and even depression. We also have
black customers that come in to tan.
City Tropics made national news when the
infamous Tan Mom was caught allegedly
over tanning at your establishment along
with her child. What’s your side of the story?
Tan Mom came in to tan, but she didn’t over tan.
She didn’t look like that now famous photo with
the burned face. She looked like a normal person
who came back from vacation. And if I would have
thought she brought her child into a tanning bed, I
would have told the police. What I think happened
is that she started to do a lot of interviews with the
media and she wanted to look even tanner. She
she went out and brought body builders self tanner
creme, which makes you almost black. She just went
overboard with it.