Alongside the introduction of the SmartSun Therapy SST28, Wilbraham Tanning created a new top-tier membership offering clients unlimited access to tanning, spray tanning, and the medical-grade red light device. According to owner Samantha Asselin, the addition of the SST28 was an instant success, with many of their $89 per month UV and sunless members upgrading to the $129 per month option, which includes all three services. With non-membership pricing for the SST28 ranging from $29 for a single session to $215 for 10 sessions, the $129 membership is a no-brainer for anyone interested in both beauty and wellness benefits.

“We’ve been really happy with the SST28. Customers are liking it, and I’m not really having to advertise it because the customers we have are using it and recommending it to others,” Samantha says.

Why the SST28?

When deciding to expand the salon’s services, Samantha chose the SST28 for its effectiveness and natural integration with, while she also wanted something separate from hybrid equipment to appeal to both tanners and non-tanners. Even non-tanners are now signing up for the $129 membership because it’s still the most affordable way to use the SST28 regularly.

Samantha’s research into a variety of red light therapy equipment options led her to the conclusion that SmartSun Therapy was the best option available.

“I really wasn’t interested in hybrid equipment because I wanted something separate that people who didn’t want to tan could use. I did research, and it seemed like red light with tubes doesn’t really work. The ergonomic design of the SST28 is great, and the clients can get in and out easily. It’s nice for people who used to tan and miss it because it does feel so similar.”

Positive Client Feedback

As most SST28 owners indicate, clients are reporting a range of effects that often go beyond what they’re expecting or originally using it for.

“One client was really loving it for her skin, but then she started telling me it helped with her knee pain. She was able to run further and longer, and her husband noticed she was doing better with her pain. She even hugged me because she was so happy about it,” Samantha says. “We also have clients with fibromyalgia and one guy that uses it had a knee surgery and could walk again after a week.”

Minimal Promotion, Maximum Impact

While the SST28 has proven popular, Asselin has kept promotion minimal, relying on organic growth and word-of-mouth.

“I haven’t put much money into promoting it. People are curious about it, and the unit itself looks like a medical device but also like a tanning bed, so they feel comfortable using it,” she explained.

Samantha’s approach has paid off, with the SST28 already as busy as the salon’s other equipment. She’s particularly pleased with the fact that many clients are opting to combine services during their visits. “We’re getting a lot of ‘double dips’—clients doing both tanning and red light therapy in the same visit. It’s nice because I don’t have to service multiple clients separately; they’re doing more than one service during their visit.”