When Image Sun in Fredericksburg, Virginia, reopened last November, it wasn’t just a comeback—it was a reinvention. For owner Charlotte Sealy, a yearlong shutdown caused by an electrical fire became the catalyst to rethink not only her space, but the future of her business. Rebuilding took longer than expected, giving Charlotte time to step back and reassess where the industry is headed and how Image Sun could evolve with it.

“I have a new, revived outlook on the industry and being in business,” Charlotte says.

“I wanted a fresh start with a fresh look and new beds. I wanted to be more upscale, not just a country tanning salon where people can come get a tan. I wanted to turn it into a sanctuary—a place you can get away to take care of yourself. Come in to spend 30 minutes or an hour focusing on your well-being. I’m passionate about wellness and biohacking, and I want to feel good, and I know everybody my age does, too.”

That reflection led Charlotte to wellness—and specifically to red light therapy—as the foundation of Image Sun’s next chapter. After researching the category and studying what was emerging across the industry, she chose to add the SmartSun Therapy SST28 as a centerpiece service, alongside POLY LED light therapy and an infrared sauna with salt therapy.

“All I had was tanning, and after researching the industry and SmartSun Therapy, I thought it was the best product. I trusted that SmartSun Therapy was offering an amazing product,” she says.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.