NOV. 2, 2009 — The owners of professional indoor tanning facilities overwhelmingly believe that they are teaching effective sunburn prevention one person at a time in their communities, according to a SmartTan.com poll conducted in October.

According to the poll, more than 9 of 10 salon owners — 91 percent — say their tanning facilities have helped teach effective sunburn prevention to teenagers in their communities.

“Many people don’t realize that when it comes to sunburn prevention, indoor tanning facilities are part of the solution — not part of the problem — in effective sun care,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “We know that developing a base tan in combination with the correct usage of sunscreen, for people who can tan, multiplies the effectiveness of sunscreen in doing its job: preventing sunburn.”

Many families come to indoor tanning facilities in the winter or spring prior to taking sunny vacations. “Many people travel to sub-tropical environments on vacations and take part in outdoor activities on those vacations. Without a base tan they will sunburn even if they are correctly using sunscreen,” Levy explained. “But with a base tan in combination with sunscreen usage they avoid sunburn.”

Chemical sunscreen should only be used when sunburn is a possibility, Smart Tan believes. It should not be used as an every-day product.