An Inside Look at an American Tanning Salon: More Than Just a Tan

Why Tanning?

Walk into a typical American tanning salon and you’re likely to be greeted by a wave of pleasantly warm air and the subtle, sweet scent of tanning lotions. The atmosphere is designed to be a mini getaway, a departure from the everyday, often evoking the feeling of a perpetual summer vacation. The interior design often leans toward a beach or tropical theme, with a palette of warm, sandy beiges, soft corals and sunny yellows. Decorative touches may include images of pristine beaches, palm trees and ocean waves, all with the goal of creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.

The reception area is the centerpiece, a clean and professional space where customers check in, consult with staff and purchase products. Here you’ll find a prominent display of various tanning and skin care products, from accelerators and bronzers designed to enhance the tanning process to moisturizers and tan extenders for aftercare. Trained staff is available to guide customers, especially first-timers, through the process, helping them determine their skin type and select the most appropriate tanning regimen and products for their desired results.

Beyond the reception area is the heart of the salon: a series of private rooms, each with a different type of tanning equipment. These rooms are sanitized between each use, a practice that reputable salons take very seriously to ensure client safety and comfort.