By Matt Russell, Smart Tan CEO

It’s been a little more than a year since I took a deep dive into red light therapy and discovered what this technology, when used properly, could mean to our industry. As a lifelong suntanning advocate with more than 40 years in various indoor tanning businesses, I can honestly say that this technology is a game changer for tanning salon businesses.

For the past year, I’ve learned so much about the value of red and near-infrared light therapy while reading and digesting mountains of data and technical information to help the industry better understand exactly what this therapy has to offer for us all. For the past several months, I’ve worked with our developers to put this information into an online training program to quickly and effectively teach our market how to teach our communities exactly how this technology works, and the benefits it can provide. I’ve shared the new training information within this article so you can also better understand exactly how this therapy will benefit your customers and your business.

One of the most important assets that comes with this new therapy is the fact that it is widely accepted as safe and therapeutic with no significant risks, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Introducing red and near-infrared light therapy into our businesses can, and will, help teach our communities that mankind was right all along – sunlight is healthy and therapeutic. Though we can’t make those types of claims about our UV equipment – thanks to the mega-billion-dollar anti-tanning industries – we can use a bullhorn to promote the benefits of red and near-infrared light equipment.

Researching this new technology takes me back to when I first learned how UVB light produced vitamin D and how important that was to human health. Now we’re finding that vitamin D from sunlight is just the tip of the iceberg. And because red and near-infrared light are part of natural sunlight, we can help teach the world what many have naturally come to understand – sunlight is beneficial and therapeutic.

I also became very excited learning how red light works in conjunction with UV light to produce a better suntan, by increasing oxygen, increasing cell performance, and stimulating collagen and elastin production. I’ve never been more excited about a new technology and what this can provide for our businesses.

It’s just like indoor tanning equipment – great results in a short span of time. Except there’s no downside. No anti-redlight industry attacking us. There’s also no additional labor needed. The full-body unit functions just like a tanning bed but it’s cheaper and easier to use when you consider no need for air conditioning, no additional electrical supply, no lamp changes, and lower utility bills.

When you think about it, it’s the only non-tanning service available that produces significant, long-term benefits. Just like indoor tanning, it’s a “sticky” service because it delivers great results that customers recognize almost immediately. Unlike our tanning devices, red and near-infrared therapy provides a year ‘round service that is not limited to seasons or special events. Salons using this therapy have shown that it is very effective at increasing their membership pricing, membership numbers, and it extends their membership retention by several months.

But you shouldn’t take my word for it. Just like any other business investment, you need to do your due diligence and better understand what you’re getting into before your jump. I encourage you all to do what I did – spend time researching this new technology and how it can benefit your business. To make this a bit easier for you, I’m providing you with the detailed, but consumer-friendly red and near-infrared light training information below.

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