The holidays are a season of warmth and joy. Unfortunately, they are followed by the cold, dark days of winter. For many these are a time of seasonal depression and uncomfortable skin conditions.
For the last 17 years Debbie Burns, owner of Island Sun Tanning, has been bringing the latest advancements in tanning and skin care to its five salon locations throughout the suburban Philadelphia area, helping to alleviate these conditions. It offers the benefits of red-light therapy, both ultraviolet and sunless tanning, teeth whitening, body wraps and skin-care products.
Through her business Debbie has become very knowledgeable on skin care and health. As a member of the Smart Tan Network, she has taken continuing education courses, researched the latest skin-care information available, been introduced to new products as they enter the marketplace and become an independent Arbonne consultant.
“Whether you are looking for anti-aging or basic skin care, Island Sun Tanning can offer something for everyone,” Debbie says.
One of these services is red-light skin-renewal therapy. Red light does not contain any ultraviolet light and does not tan the skin. Instead, red-light treatments penetrate to the bottom of the dermis layer, where it stimulates the fibroblast cells, helping to firm and tighten the skin, reduce pore size and minimize appearance of fine lines, scars, stretch marks, age spots and hyperpigmentation.
Ultraviolet (UV) light can be helpful, too. Winters in the Northeast, especially if one works in an office and has limited sun exposure, can leave individuals feeling tired and sluggish. Research suggests that UV exposure can lessen the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that affects 35 million Americans during the winter, causing symptoms that include depression, mood swings, increased appetite and excessive sleeping.
Exposure to UV light also allows the body to convert a hormone in the human body to vitamin D, a nutrient that is vital to health. Vitamin D is responsible for healthy immune systems, serotonin production and calcium absorption, and may offer many other health benefits. Those who cannot get their vitamin D requirements through sun exposure have been advised by some in the medical community to use tanning beds instead.
“Tanning is not just for cosmetic reasons,” Debbie explains. “When done properly, it can be part of a healthy lifestyle and even offers some physical benefits.” In addition to treating vitamin D deficiencies and SAD, tanning can provide relief from conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Many customers come to Island Sun Tanning with these conditions and others, including dry or extremely oily skin, acne and uneven skin. Others just want to know how to maintain the health of their skin.
Debbie recommends the Arbonne Health and Wellness line, featuring all-natural, vegan skin care and nutritional products. “We always recommend using products that are pure, safe and beneficial and that do not have added chemical fragrances, colors or dyes, which can have a negative effect on the skin,” she says.
Lastly, body wraps have long been used to flush toxins from the body. Island Sun Tanning offers a slimming body-wrap service, which utilizes infrared heat and herbal detox products that moisturize and rejuvenate the skin can be customized to the user’s needs. Among many benefits the service can reduce the appearance of cellulite, tighten skin and reduce inflammation.
The professionally trained and certified staff of Island Sun Tanning provides a consultation for customers in which they discuss their objectives, offer scheduling recommendations and suggest appropriate skin-care products. “There are tanning salons that are professional and those that are not so professional,” says Debbie. “We pride ourselves on helping customers determine their skin-care needs and make appropriate selections.”
Whether they choose to enjoy red-light skin-renewal therapy, UV tanning, skin care, body wraps or teeth whitening, consider making someone’s holiday bright this year by giving the gift of sunshine with a gift card to Island Sun Tanning.
Clients can visit locations in Bensalem, Neshaminy, Fairless Hills, Huntingdon Valley and Newtown. For directions, contact information and details, visit IslandSun.org.
