How many of you..........

[Don]

How many of you are using new-era sunlamps?

The reason I ask is because of some information I just received (that I will post later) about FDA's "plans" (I now have the "proof" in writing!) to (a) lower the MAD (Maximum Allowable Dose) and (b) make numerous other "onerous changes" to the Sunlamp Standards (none of which will "benefit" the indoor tanning industry!).

Why does FDA want to make these changes (you ask)?

FDA believes that reducing the "UVR burden" will reduce the incidence of skin cancer. [Note: This goal implicitly accepts the dermatologists view that skin cancer is the most serious health problem facing the American public when everyone (except the dermatology community and FDA) is beginning to realize that the pandemic of vitamin D-mediated diseases constitute a far more (by a factor of 200 to 1) serious health problem than is skin cancer. In addition, the FDA goal ignores the fact that most of the "annual UVR burden" comes from sunlight and their proposed changes to the Sunlamp Standards will ONLY affect the indoor tanning industry.]

New-era lamps DRAMATICALLY reduce the number of TSD (Total Skin Damaging) photons as compared to traditional sunlamps but I have a "gut hunch" that most salon owners continue to offer them (traditional sunlamps) because they think/believe that their clients want more "reddening" tans.

Therefore, it would be VERY helpful if I could find out (a) how many salon owners have "switched" to new-era lamps; (b) their clients response after they did so; and, (c) why they haven't made the switch if they still utilize tradiational sunlamps. [Note: I am writing a "rebuttal" to FDA and this information will help a great deal.]

If you are a "lurker" and/or don't choose to make a public post, please e-mail your comments regarding this very important topic to me at: reyksmith@aol.com.

Thanks!

Don

[Brian Oshman]

some information I just received (that I will post later)

Blah blah blah,

Just post the data already, $h!t or get off the pot.

Kinda tired of your treble hook tactics and never answering questions that are asked.

Tell ya what, just keep it to yourself, we don't want to know and don't care.

[navigatin1]

I will be relamping my HP combo soon with the "New Era" lamps. I'll let ya know how the customers likey likey.

P.S. Brian, I'm getting tired of you not posting how you really feel. Could you work on that please!!!

[Don]

Thanks for your kind words, Brian. Just about what I would expect from someone who is trying to cover up the fact that they don't understand the issues and have nothing positive to contribute. BTW, what have you EVER done to help the industry cope with onerous regulations?

For the rest of you (I could care less what Brian thinks), the reason I will post the FDA information later is because (1) I had to test some new lamps this morning; (2) I am now covering one of my wife's salons until 6:00 pm; and, (3) it will take me a couple of days to "digest" and "summarize" the complex FDA information.

Thanks to those of you who have already sent me e-mails with your information. Your assistance is appreciated.

Note to Jim: Brian's post exemplifies why fewer and fewer people participate online. Makes me wonder why I still bother.........

[solarmeter®]

My gut feeling is that many salon owners (maybe almost 50%) have gradually switched to new era lamps. Mostly because they like the "near-HP" increase in UVA browning rays that make a 5.0 meter climax.

You should ask the big distributors (URI, etc) to give you real data on percent new vs old era lamp sales lately... 100 and 160+ watt versions. You will never get enough responses on line to be statistically significant.

Only the very few owners who attended your Nashville presentation have any foggy idea about the benefits of left shifted UVB at a lower %B... and less 320-340nm UVA2 photoaging immunosuppressive rays. The more effective UVB also does a better job converting 7-DHC to vitamin D3. Alas miss molly orange tanner could give a hoot less. So could 90 some percent of owners I fear. It's all about vanity... just ask Robbie.

[Don]

Health Canada implemented the 15 kJ/m^2 (15,000 J/m^2) annual dose limit last year for our friends up north. Vendors now have to "post" on the label of sunbeds (new & used) sold in Canada how many sessions it will take the unit to equal 15 kJ/m^2.

The "thinking" vendors and salon owners are all switching to new-era lamps (because shorter sessions that still deliver the required "tanning power" are better) and once the Province's start enforcing this rule, you'll see even more going from traditional to new-era lamps.

It's interesting to note that both the vendors and salon owners who have embraced new-era lamps are enjoying much better years than those who haven't.

[imported_Rob]

I would love to switch to "new Era" lamps, but they don't work with magnetic ballasts. I have some sol glass in my stand up now, they are working and lasting, but they flicker throughout about the first half of the session. My customers though love them.

[Natureboy]

Originally Posted by Don

Health Canada implemented the 15 kJ/m^2 (15,000 J/m^2) annual dose limit last year for our friends up north. Vendors now have to "post" on the label of sunbeds (new & used) sold in Canada how many sessions it will take the unit to equal 15 kJ/m^2.

The "thinking" vendors and salon owners are all switching to new-era lamps (because shorter sessions that still deliver the required "tanning power" are better) and once the Province's start enforcing this rule, you'll see even more going from traditional to new-era lamps.

It's interesting to note that both the vendors and salon owners who have embraced new-era lamps are enjoying much better years than those who haven't.

Yah,..... like they check and like they care......

I wish they did, to keep the idiots here from putting 10 minute lamps in 25 minute beds and calling them "super beds". But havent' seen it yet.

[Don]

Thank you! to everyone who (thus far - keep them coming!) has sent me their comments/results/questions regarding new-era lamps. I have a much better "feel" for what is going on now.

[Don]

Here are some of the most "interesting" and "consistent" comments from people using new-era sunlamps:

- One of the most interesting "findings" is that clients who choose to tan in sunbeds equipped with new-era sunlamps opt for shorter session times than do clients who choose sunbeds equipped with traditional sunlamps.

[Note: Since the Tt (tanning time) is shorter, i.e., it takes less time to deliver an optimal dose of tanning photons, in new-era lamps it appears that clients "learn" that they can "adjust" their session time downward and still maintain their desired level of tan. We saw this "phenomenon" when we first started using new-era sunlamps two years ago and it is "encouraging" that others have seen the same thing.]

- The second interesting "finding" is that clients comment on the fact that their tan lasts longer and is a more "pleasing" and "sun-like" color.

[Note: Several people commented that you have to "educate and inform" clients that a new-era sunlamp tan takes longer to fully develop (similar to a HID/hp tan) than does a traditional sunlamp tan. This "delay" is more than offset by the fact that the tan lasts longer and has a more pleasing color.]

- The third interesting "finding" is that when new-era sunlamps are used in the bench of "hybrid" (i.e., HID/hp in the canopy and LP in the bench) sunbeds, the client satisfaction is much greater than when traditional sunlamps are used in the bench (which makes me wonder why the manufacturers can't seem to figure this out!).

The only consistent (so far) comments from salon owners who said that they didn't like new-era sunlamps is that:

(1) Their clients wanted a more "reddening" tan (most of these comments come from the SE part of the USA).

(2) They thought that new-era lamps in their 100w sunbeds tanned too good and reduced the number of people who formerly upgraded to their 160w sunbeds.

(3) They had "lighting" problems when they tried new-era lamps in 160w sunbeds driven with magnetic rapid start ballasts.

[Note: I have tested several of the new "programed start" electronic ballasts and the "lighting" problem goes away when these new ballasts are used. Also, these new ballasts (a) reduce the weight of the sunbed; (b) run cooler; and (c) SIGNIFICANTLY reduce your electric bill!]

Finally, sunbed manufacturers who offer new-era sunlamps in their sunbeds report that they are having a much better (sales) year than are manufacturers who only offer traditional sunlamps in their sunbeds.

[Note: I can understand why a manufacturer might want to equip a sunbed with a traditional sunlamp in order to save a few dollars, but I can't figure out why they don't also offer it equipped with new-era sunlamps at a higher price (and be "labeled" with both lamps). If they did, I think that they would be surprised to find that many salon owners would be willing to pay a higher price for a sunbed equipped with new-era sunlamps.]

Keep your comments about your experience (good and bad) with new-era sunlamps coming! [e-mail: reyksmith@aol.com / Cell phone: 520-975-0180 ]

Thanks! to everyone who has commented thus far!

[Brian Oshman]

Thanks Don, I apologize.

[solarmeter®]

That's nice. He's OK Brian. Usually more than OK. In fact he's the best resource for UV stuff our industry has.

I'll claim #2 haha.

[Don]

Don is a legend in his own mind-LOL.

[Father Tan]

I have switched some beds to the New Era type lamps. They are not for everyone. Just like High Pressure is not for everyone. Some customers love it while some are not impressed. Different skin types react differently to UV light. There is no one lamp for every type of customer.

With that said I will still continue to offer New Era lamps in one level of my tanning units. It is important to have a variety that will please each type of cusotmer. The New Era lamps are AWESOME on paper. Some customers are just not pleased with the tanning results and will migrate towards a unit WITHOUT New Era lamps even after being explained the benefits. Others love the hell out of New Era lamps.

This is why we offer different types of tanning units. To give the customer a variety. Same goes for tanning lamps. There is no one lamp for everyone.

[Don]

Different strokes for different folks-LOL.

Do you have a "theory" regarding why some clients do not like new-era sunlamps?

[solarmeter®]

Their skin has become so leathery and thick over time that only the old era 350nm peak and 10% UVB/UVA2 can stimulate it's damaged melanin ???