UV-Free Tanning Available at Salons

CANOE (Canadian Online Explorer)
(July 11, 2002)

It is difficult to argue the success of tanning salons across the city. It seems that a neighbourhood tanning business accompanies each new subdivision in suburban Toronto.

Many are going to great lengths to achieve the perfect tan: From frequenting tanning salons, to purchasing self-tanners, to lying hours out in the backyard catching some rays.

"I don't like sitting in the sun," says Debbie Casaimiri, a customer of Arizona Tan in Woodbridge, Ont. "But I like the look of the sun."

I hadn't felt the urge to tan until I tried a beautiful red dress on at the mall and the sales lady smiled at me and said, "the dress looks fabulous, but you'll need a tan."

Needless to say I shrugged it off, thought she was pretentious and then walked right into the first tanning salon that I saw.

While the experience wasn't exactly horrible, I still wanted other options. And voilà, I found one.

Arizona Tan is the first tanning salon in Ontario to offer UV-free tanning technology. Currently, self-tanning creams and sprays are available for those looking for a UV-free tanning experience but many are left unsatisfied. Mystic Tan™ is the latest in the self-tanning revolution. While containing a common ingredient as other self-tanners do, Mystic Tan™ uses a new way of applying this ingredient. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the common ingredient, is the key to creating the tanning effect. When this molecule is applied to the skin, it reacts with proteins in the skin's superficial layer and forms a golden-brown colour. The colour lasts five to seven days, or the time it takes the skin to exfoliate naturally.

"A tan gives you a nice healthy look," says Kim Fletcher, President of Arizona Tan Inc. when asked why tanning has become so popular. "You radiate confidence."

With self-tanners a common complaint is the streaking marks left on the body. Mystic Tan™ uses MagneTan^SM technology. This technology uses the body's own magnetic properties to attract the polarized solution particles to the skin, creating a uniform tan.

"It's pretty wild," says Casaimiri as soon as she walked out of the Mystic Tan™ room. This is Casaimiri's first experience with the technology and she admits she was hesitant at first.

"I didn't have a clue what to expect," she says.

Following a suggestion by a friend, Casaimiri visited the Woodbridge location of Arizona Tan, which is the third and latest site of the Mystic Tan™. The other two sites are at 2291 Yonge St. near Eglington Ave. in Toronto and 14 Lisa St. in Brampton, Ont. near Highway #7 and Dixon Rd.

Casaimiri looked a little bronzed by the experience, but Lucy Barbosa, manager of Arizona Tan in Woodbridge, says the real tan will appear in four to six hours.

"I'm looking forward to this," says Casaimiri.

Then, it was my turn.

I watched the video playing in the waiting room detailing what I had to do once I was in the Mystic Tan™ room. One of the ladies who work at Arizona Tan even took five minutes to walk me through the procedure. First you undress, then you put what looks like a shower cap on your hair, and finally you rub on a barrier cream on the parts of your body you do not want tanned, for example your fingernails, toe nails, sides of your feet, back of the ankles where the deep wrinkles hold in the colour, or for some it may be the knuckles.

Fletcher recommended a Level one tanning session for me. There are three levels based on your height, weight, and desired colour. The price, however, is the same at $29.95, regardless of the level.

"We had thought about charging more for Level three," says Fletcher, "but if you charge more the customer may think it's better." Fletcher says that all three levels are of the same quality, only the quantity of mist used increases by level.

I do not tan easily so I was a little unsure whether the Mystic Tan™ would work for me. I had some difficulty with the cream as I had covered the palms of my hands and fingernails substantially when I realized I forgot to put on my shower cap. So I had to wipe my hands and start over.

When I finally got inside what looked to be a large shower with three machine nozzles pointing straight at my body, I took a deep breath, pressed the green button and positioned my feet on the steel plate, which helps attract the spray to your body and keep it there.

When the nozzles sprayed out the mist they began at my feet and quickly moved up to my face at which point I held my breath just as Fletcher instructed me to. She said it is not a requirement, as the mist won't harm you, but a tip.

In fact, those with severe asthma should speak to their doctor before trying the Mystic Tan™.

In less than a minute I was done.

I stepped out of the booth, towel dried my body, removing any excess bronzer that was sprayed on at the end of the session to give a glowing complexion. I paid particular attention to the back of my legs, as instructed, waved goodbye and waited for my tan.

After one hour a little of colour appeared on my skin, a little more after two hours. When I woke up the next morning, I was the darkest I have ever been. Fortunately the colour looked very natural and everyone thought I had gone away for the weekend.

The only drawback I found was a streak of bronzer that was left on the back of my legs and the tan line on my wrist from the barrier cream I put on the palms of my hands. Barbosa says that the bronzer lines result from having left the bronzer on my body for too long. Barbosa had recommended I take a shower after six hours, but since I went to bed, I had forgotten. She says that extra time may have soaked the bronzer in for too long. As for the tan lines, those would most likely improve, as my application skills get better.

While customers like Casaimiri are leaving satisfied with their experience with Mystic Tan™, a special cheer will be given on Saturday, July 20 when the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and users of Mystic Tan™ make an appearance at the Woodbridge location. The event hopes to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.