General

• Not all people tan the same. Skin types vary from person to person and in general you should expect to acquire a good base tan in 3-6 sessions.
• Best results are obtained when sessions are taken every other day for the first 3-6 sessions. If there are no signs of redness, itchiness, or discomfort, a consecutive day schedule may be needed depending on how quickly your skin tans. Once a tan is developed, one or two sessions per week will help you maintain your tan.
• If you plan to tan in the nude or have areas of your skin which are typically unexposed to sunlight, we suggest covering previously unexposed areas for the majority of your tanning session for the first few visits. Gradually increase exposure to these areas, giving the skin time to build melanin production.
• After your tanning session your skin will continue to develop a tan 24-48 hours after exposure, so do not be concerned if you do not see results right away.
• By law you may only tan once in a 24 hour period and must wear approved tanning goggles during your tanning session.
• If you are taking any medications, please let your salon attendant know. Some medications can cause reactions with UV light.

Prior to your session

• Remove any makeup. Makeup contains SPF which block UV light.
• Remove all jewelry. Jewelry will cause tan lines and will damage the acrylics in the tanning bed.
• Apply your favorite indoor tanning lotion. Lotions will help you acquire your tan up to 40% quicker.
• Baby oil and outdoor products can not be used. These products are not specifically designed for indoor tanning technologies.
• Protect your eyes with the provided eyewear. Simply closing your eyes is not adequate protection.
• Protect your lips with lip balms or sunscreen.
• Reminder: Your bed will start after the 5 minute delay time. So please no use of cell phones etc or you will not be ready in time.

After your session

• Leave your eyewear and towel in the rooms, we will dispose of them and sanitize the room when your session is complete.
• After tanning please dress immediately as someone may be waiting for the room.
• You may freshen up and re-apply makeup at the vanity located at the end of the hall across from the bathroom. Make sure to take all personal items with you.
• At home, be sure to apply your favorite after tan moisturizer and tan extender.
• The heat and light from tanning can dry your skin.

THE MYSTIC TAN EXPERIENCE

Pre-Tan Prep

• Arrive with clean, exfoliated skin
• Avoid any lotions, make-up or deodorants
• We recommend using SunlessPRO™ Pre-Tan Intensifier to increase the depth of your color and accelerate your development time

During Session

• Remove all clothing, jewelry and makeup
• Apply blending cream to hands and feet
• Follow the audio step-by-step instructions
• Your tan will continue to develop over the next 24 hours

Post-Tan Care

• Avoid showering or getting wet/sweaty for at least 4-6 hours after your tan
  • When showering we recommend SunlessPRO Body Cleanser Daily Color Guard
• Be sure to keep your entire body moisturized after your tanning session
  • We recommend SunlessPRO Post-Tan Moisturizer to prolong and protect your color
• Use SunlessPRO Bronzer to enhance and extend the life of your spray tan

Do I really need eyewear?

Yes, protective eyewear is the most important piece of tanning equipment. If you do not use eyewear you will be burning your cornea. Over a period of time this can cause cataracts, loss of night vision and more. Bellissima tans supplies disposable eyewear in every room.

How do I prevent “raccoon eyes”?

You can adjust your protective eyewear during your tanning session by sliding it gently. Another obvious trick is minimizing the effects with make-up or self tanner.

What are the causes of white spots?

White spots have several causes. Pressure points are seen on skin surfaces that are in contact with the bed, such as shoulder blades, the backs of calves and the lower back. To avoid this, shift and move by lifting your back and legs periodically so that all skin receives oxygen and blood flow. VITILIGO is irregularly shaped white patches of skin that do not tan. It is caused by a condition that causes melonocyte cells in the affected area to degenerate and die off. Your physician can help reverse the effects. TINEA VERSICOLOR, or sunspots, is dandruff-like fungus that flakes off your scalp onto the upper body. This condition is very common and has nothing to do with cleanliness. Extra strength dandruff shampoo is often used to treat it.

How often should I tan?

This varies for everyone, however a good rule of thumb is always to take a day off in between sessions. To establish a base tan you need to come more frequently the first few weeks. Then once you have a tan, most people can maintain their color by coming 1-2 times per week.

How many sessions will it take to see results?

This varies for everyone depending on skin type, but it can take anywhere from 1 session to 10 sessions depending on how dark you want to get.

Can I shower immediately after a tanning session?

YES, however if you are using a tanning lotion (especially with bronzers) it is better to wait 1-2 hours to allow the lotion to set in the color.

Will I streak from a bronzer and will my hands get stained?

If you apply a bronzer properly, you will not get streaks. You must put on the lotion evenly in a circular motion. Wipe your hands off using the towel provided and feel free to wash your hands before leaving the salon as an extra precation.

Can I use outdoor lotions in a tanning bed?

No, not only does an outdoor lotion prevent you from getting color indoors, but it damages the tanning beds!

Can I use an indoor tanning lotion outside?

NO, indoor lotions do not provide any SPF protection against the suns rays. When outdoors, always use a sunscreen (SPF).

Can I tan when I have a tattoo?

It is recommended to wait 2 weeks before tanning when you get a new tattoo. Even if the tattoo is old, it can fade from tanning. By using a special SPF tattoo stick that we sell, you can protect your tattoo.

Do I need to protect my lips in a tanning bed?

YES, there is no melanin in your lips so they will become dry, chapped and even burned if you do not protect them an SPF lip balm.

Can I tan when I am pregnant?

The main objection to tanning pregnant women is the increased potential of becoming overheated. Understand that UV light DOES NOT reach the unborn baby, as it does not travel beyond the top layers of the skin. Bellissima Tans offers Airbrush Tanning which is completely safe!

High Pressure Tanning Facts

What is high pressure tanning?

Developed in Europe 30 years ago for use in phototherapy treatment, high pressure lamps produce UVA and UVB in different ratios than conventional tanning beds: just enough UVB to produce the melanin required to tan , and a lot of UVA to oxidize the melanin and turn it into a golden brown.

What’s better, High-Pressure Tanning OR Low-and-Medium Pressure Tanning?

Studies show that a combination of low-or-medium pressure tanning and high-pressure tanning produce the best and fastest results. High-Pressure lamps are the fastest: a base tan can be established in as few as 3 visits compared to 10 or more visits to a low-pressure bed.

How fast can I expect to see results from a high-pressure tanning unit?

High Pressure Tanning is the quickest way to get deep, golden color fast. When used in combination with conventional tanning packages, high pressure sessions will enhance your tan, making it deeper, darker, with a more luxurious bronze.

How often should my sessions be to maintain my tan?

Because high-pressure units emphasize using longer, softer UVA rays, in order to maintain your tan, you only need to tan about 2-3 times per month.

Myth: “I’ve heard that indoor tanning is more harmful than tanning outdoors because the UV light exposure is more intense.”

Fact: When used according to the U.S. DFA exposure guidelines, tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer. Remember the best way to safeguard yourself from sun damage is to wear appropriate levels of SPF sunscreens outdoors, even if you already have a tan.

Myth: “My friend said she heard that tanning bakes your internal organs. Sometimes I notice a strange smell after I tan. Could this be my organs baking?”

Fact: The UV light from a tanning bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor you may notice is what is commonly known as “after tan” odor, a common occurrence when tanning indoors or outdoors, which is caused by harmless bacteria on your skin. Tanning lotions contain ingredients designed to eliminate this odor.

Myth: “I have been told that showering directly after tanning will
“wash away” your tan.”

Fact: Taking a shower after tanning will NOT wash your tan away. A natural tan takes 24-48 hours to develop. However, if you use a tanning lotion during your session, it is best to wait at least an hour because the lotion continues to work after your session.

Myth: “My friend told me that I should stop tanning because I could get a sexually transmitted disease like AIDS from the tanning bed.”

Fact: The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus, as well as other seriousviral diseases, does not live outside the body. This fear may come from the fact that many people lay nude in tanning beds to avoid tan lines. However, even with profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases, cannot be passed to the next user. Additionally, tanning salons are required by law to disinfect the acrylic liner in the tanning bed between each use.

Myth: “ I heard that in order to get a suntan you have to burn first”

Fact: A sunburn does not fade into a tan. A sunburn indicates overexposure to UV light and actually damages the skin, leaving it inflamed as indicated by the skin’s red color. Always practice moderation when tanning and use proper sunscreen when tanning outdoors.

Myth: “People with medium to dark skin never burn”

Fact: Although people with medium to darker skin tan more easily than others, they can still get a sunburn. It is still important for these skin types to use sunscreens outdoors and tan moderately.

Outdoor Tanning: You don’t have control!

Seasonality
Depending on the time of year, the sunlight you receive is more or less intense. Gauging this is tricky.

Location
Are you tanning at the beach, where surrounding sand acts as a reflector for ultraviolet light? Are you in the water, where UV light penetrates beneath the surface more then you might think? Your surroundings affect the intensity of ultraviolet light outdoors.

Geography
Are you in Columbus, Ohio or Miami, Florida or the Caribbean? The intensity of sunlight increases the closer you get to the equator, affecting the amount of time it takes you to sunburn.

*Weather Conditions
Is it partly cloudy or sunny? Is it overcast or rainy? A significant amount of UV light penetrates through clouds even on an overcast day. But the intensity varies depending on the cloudiness.

Altitude
Are you at sea level or in the mountains? Sun intensity is greater at higher altitudes, another factor we can’t gauge accurately outdoors.

*Ozone layer
Regular changes in the Earth’s ozone layer affect the amount of UV light from the sun that reaches the planet surface. It is impossible to know from day to day how these conditions will change.

Worry about sunburn
Have you ever spent a day outside only to be surprised at the end of the day by a sunburn? All of the variables listed above make tanning outdoors a guessing game.

We’ve got it indoors!

Indoor tanners enjoy…

Control
You always know exactly what kind of UV light you are getting and exactly how long you will be getting it. It allows you to eliminate all of the variables outdoors, reducing your risk of ever contracting a sunburn.

Convenience
You never have to worry about bad weather. It’s always sunny and warm at Bellissima Tans.

Speed
It doesn’t take all day at the beach to get an indoor tan. Depending on your skin, a few quick sessions a week is all it takes to obtain a golden tan.

Service
Bellissima Tans monitors your progress and advises how you can properly maintain your tan, reducing your risk of ever contracting a sunburn.

Vitamin D production: UV light exposure to the skin is the body’s primary means of Vitamin D production, a major factor in the fight against bone diseases such as Osteoporosis.

Natures Skin protection: Tanning is your body’s natural protection against burning. Your natural tan provides protection that does not rub, sweat or wear off the way sunscreen protection can.

Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD): The National Institute of mental health has produced evidence that the shortage of sunlight during the winter months produces clinical depression in millions of people. Exposure to sunlight or simulated sunlight for 10-20 minutes a few times a week shows a 70% improvement in patients with SAD. Light treatment is the only known cure for the “winter blues”

Prevention of some cancers: Current research suggests people who regularly expose themselves to UV light experience lower incidence of death from ovarian, breast, and colon cancers than those who live in places with less sunlight, like Alaska.

Weight Loss: Tanning stimulates the thyroid gland to increase your metabolism.

Psoriasis: 80% of people who suffer from psoriasis and have tried tanning have seen improvements in their condition.

Stress Relief: Tanning lowers adrenaline levels and releases endorphins, making you happy.

Acne: In some cases tanning helps get rid of acne!

Beauty: Of course if you come into Bellissima Tans, you will leave with a beautiful, natural looking tan.

The process is simple, and works the same whether you tan indoors or outdoors. UV light is the catalyst, and a pigment in your skin called melanin does the rest. Tanning takes place in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis. About 5% of the cells in your epidermis are special cells called melanocytes. When exposed to UVB light (short wave UV), melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment which is ultimately responsible for your tan. The melanin travels up through the epidermis and is absorbed by the other skin cells. When exposed to UVA(longer wave), the melanin oxidizes and darkens. This darkening is your skin’s way of protecting itself against too much UV light.

Everyone has the same number of melanocytes in their body. But, your heredity dictates how much melanin your body’s melanocytes naturally will produce. In order to most effectively avoid overexposure, a tan should be acquired gradually. A sunburn occurs when too much UV reaches the skin and disrupts the tiny blood vessels near the skins surface.

Why does a tan fade? Cells in the epidermis layer (living epidermis) are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the horny layer (dead epidermis), where they are sloughed off in about one month. As your skin replaces it’s cells, the cells laden with melanin are removed. So the tanning process must continue with the new cells.

Understanding UV light:

UV light, whether produced by the sun or an indoor tanning unit, consists of 2 main components, UVA and UVB, both of which contribute differently to your tan. Indoor tanning equipment utilizes a carefully formulated or controlled mixture of the two light waves, designed to tan you with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this control because the sun emits the entire spectrum of UV light, including the most intense rays that burn you more quickly. That’s why we call indoor tanning “Smart Tanning”.

What is Project Smart Teen?
It is important that teens and their parents understand the difference between sunburn and tanning in moderation, both indoors and outdoors. Bellissima Tans is trained and equipped to help you to learn to prevent sunburn as a part of your intelligent, active lifestyle.

Tanning vs. Burning?
People used to believe that sunburn was just an inevitable part of starting a tan. Some actually think you have to burn before you can tan. Today we know how wrong that belief is and we know that your skin can be temporarily or permanently damaged by burning. Tanning is a natural process. Your body is designed to produce melanin, which darkens the skin. A tan is a gradual increase in natural skin pigmentation and is your body’s natural way of building up protection against the injury of sunburn. Sunburn is a totally different process. Sunburn is an injury, the red color actually is increased blood flow, which is sent to the skin to help your body repair the damage done by overexposure to UV light.

Just the Facts
We believe the practice of Smart Tanning leads to better sunburn prevention than simply avoiding the sun altogether. Research supports this belief:

• Young skin is more susceptible to sunburn than adult skin, so it is especially important that teens who choose to tan practice Smart Tanning and sunburn prevention.
• Studies have shown that teens who tan in tanning facilities are less likely to sunburn outdoors compared to non-tanners.
• Teens use tanning facilities in the spring to build base tans that combined with sunscreen usage, help prevent sunburn on spring break, vacations, and in summer months more effectively than sunscreen usage alone. A recent study revealed that 83% of teens who tan indoors prior to taking sunny vacations report that their indoor tan, combined with the proper use of sunscreen, helped them to prevent sunburn.
• Science suggests that burning at an early age may increase your risk of skin damage later in life, but there is no hard data to suggest that tanning alone is more dangerous for any specific age group.
• Give yourself time to tan. Important events like prom, spring break, vacation, and graduation take time to get ready for…so does tanning. Talk to our staff to get on a schedule that works for your skin type and your tanning goals.

New Jersey Tanning Laws that apply

A 2142 (formerly A2933 and same as S 1172)
Identical bill numbers: A2867, A3640, A3104

Tanning Lotions

Step 1: Accelerating Lotions

Step One products are formulated for tanners with little or no existing tan. Each product delivers essential moisture and nutrients to the skin to help you develop a rich, golden- brown base tan. These products are formulated with unique ingredients which help jump-start the tanning process. Step One products are available in a range of scientifically-based formulas, ranging from classic lotions to bronzers.

Step 2: Maximizing Lotions

Many tanners experience the “Tanning Plateau,” a point when they have developed a base tan but can’t seem to get any darker. When you are unable to advance your tan, we recommend using a step 2 product. Each scientifically designed formulation is designed to optimize UV-response to help you achieve your darkest tan possible. Step 2 products are available in classic, bronzing, Hot Action, and cooling formulas.

Step 3: Extenders / Moisturizers

To complete your tan, Step 3 products help replenish moisture and nutrients lost to the skin during UV-exposure. The use of a step 3 product should follow every tanning session, whether you are in the beginning or advanced stages of tanning. By keeping your skin moisturized and conditioned you will help protect the longevity and radiance of your tan. For best results, use a Step 1 or a Step 2 product during every tanning session, and apply a Step 3 Extender daily after tanning and/or bathing to complete your tanning regimen and lock in results.

Specialty Products

Bellissima Tans offers a vast range of specialty products for both indoor and outdoor use in order to help you supplement your tan and help protect your eyes and skin.

Tanning Packages

Sessions: The more you buy the more you save! Best suited for tanners who visit us only 1 to 2 times a week.

Salon Tour: Best suited for tanners who enjoy using all our 5 levels of tanning.

EFT Packages: Your greatest discount!

Tanning Equipment

Level 1 The Advantage 350 (15 minutes) Tan in the strongest and most spacious Level one bed in the area. With 38-120 watt super power lamps and 3-400 watt VIT Max facial bronzers, you will reach your tanning goals in no time. Add neck reflectors, on/off facial tanners, face and body cooling fans, and 45 channels of music with speakers right in the tanning bed(bring your IPOD), and the Advantage 350 is the most complete level one tanning bed in the area.
Level 2 The Evolution 500 (12 minutes) Our Evolution 500 tanning bed would be a Level 3 in any other salon. It contains 43-160 watt Turbo Power lamps and 3-500 watt Ultra VIT Max facial bronzers. Add neck reflectors, adjustable facial tanners (3 levels), face/body/feet and acrylic cooling fans, and 45 channels of music with speakers right in the tanning bed (bring your IPOD), and the Evolution 500 is light years ahead of the competition.
The Lounge Stand Up (10 minutes) The Lounge Stand UP tanning unit offers 50-180 watt Turbo power lamps and a unique cooling system that pulls the hot air right out of the tanning unit. Rather then handles, the Lounge has full length bars to hold onto, making it easier for people of all sizes. Don’t forget about the music, you have 45 channels to choose from with speakers right in the tanning unit (bring your IPOD).
Level 3 The Avantgarde 600 (12 minutes) The first thing that will catch your eye is the unique and extremely comfortable body wave acrylic. But don’t let the hot look fool you, with 47-160 watt BRONZING lamps and 3-500 watt Ultra VIT Max facial bronzers, the Avantgarde 600 will break through your bronzing plateau! Add 7-25 watt neck tanners, adjustable facial tanners (3 settings), face/body/feet and acrylic cooling fans, and a mix CD with controls inside the bed that we update from Itunes every week. The Avantgarde 600 will not only catch your eye, but satisfy the most discriminating tanner!
Level 4 The Evolution 600 (12 minutes) The Evolution 600 will blow your mind with its extraordinary comfort features and tanning results. It contains 46-160 watt BRONZING lamps (with an extra kick) and 3-500 watt Ultra VIT Max facial bronzers. Add 6-25 watt neck tanners, 7-25 watt shoulder tanners, adjustable facial tanners (4 levels), and 45 channels of music with speakers right in the tanning bed (bring your IPOD). Unique to the Evolution 600 is: AIR CONDITIONING: Stay cool while you tan with face, body, and feet AC ventilation AQUA MIST: Enjoy while a water mist is gently sprayed over you entire body AROMATHERAPY: Relax or invigorate yourself as a delicate aroma awakens your senses.
Level 5 UWE P-90 Combo (High Pressure 12 minutes) Wow! is all you can say after you see and tan in this luxury High Pressure Bed. The P-90 blows away the competition with its’ amazing design and endless comfort features which include: Aqua Mist: Enjoy your tan while a water mist is gently sprayed over your entire body Air Conditioning: Stay cool with AC cooled acrylic and super high powered fans. Adjustable Intensity: Body and Face (3 levels) Spacious: Open air design helps those guests that are claustrophobic Add to that 20 160W Cosmolux VHR TT lamps in the Lounge, 12-600W heraeus High Pressure lamps and 3-1000W Heraeus High Pressure facial lamps in the canopy, 2-250W Heraeus Shoulder tanners, and you have the most powerful Bronzing bed imaginable! To top it off you have 45 channels of music with speakers right in the tanning bed. The only one of its’ kind in the area, the P-90 can only be experienced at Bellissima Tans.

Our secret to providing the perfect tan? The Mystic Tan Tanning Myst is specially formulated to work with their exclusive MagneTan™ Technology, which polarizes each particle of Tanning Myst to ensure it applies evenly to your skin every time with no streaks. The NutraMist Complex with 65 percent Aloe Vera, hydrates your skin and balances moisture level for a deep, dark sunless tan, with virtually no tanning odor. The latest in sunless design, The MyMyst™ System combines the proven consistency you trust from Mystic Tan with true airbrush motion, providing incredibly smooth coverage and the best tanning results. The MyMyst System allows you to select from two choices: Original (2 shades darker) and Premium (3/4 shades darker). Color lasts 2 to 7 days depending on customer maintenance. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

The active ingredient in the Mystic solution is a sugar molecule, extracted from sugarcane, called DHA. DHA reacts naturally with the outer most layer of your skin creating a tan that looks and feels natural. Over 30 years ago, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved DHA for cosmetic applications. The other ingredients in the solution are mostly moisturizers, like Aloe Vera, and are all harmless and hypo-allergenic..