Professional indoor tanning businesses are taking different approaches to the evolution of spray-on tanning as part of the salon experience, according to the results of a recent SmartTan.com poll.

Just under half of all tanning businesses increased their spray-on tanning services in the past year, according to the poll, while about one quarter of businesses are dialing back their emphasis on spray-on as a diversification.

Another 27 percent said their mixture of spray-on and UV tanning has not changed.

The results, while not scientific, suggest that tanning businesses are continuing to use spray-on tanning to supplement traditional tanning in salons. “Most large stores today have spray-on tanning services in their mix, but we know that for spray-on to succeed it has to be marketed correctly,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “We believe the tanning businesses that have combined both services know that spray-on tanning has to be marketed to supplement UV tanning – not replace it.”

The advent of different spray-on tanning delivery systems — including booth units and operator-led airbrush systems — has some salons changing their approach as well.