Eye Pro, Inc.

I recently received this email from a salon owner who has asked to stay anonymous because he doesn’t want to be publicly disrespectful to a guest; so, I call him “Owner” here.

Owner wrote to me:
We have a few customers who insist that having our staff check eye pro- tection is not needed and that the law doesn’t actually require it. The wording of the code is a bit ambiguous to me. It clearly says eye protection is required, but it doesn’t say that the salons in our state MUST check each time. I won- dered if you had something we could use to better defend the eye protection requirement. Our guest claims she uses them, but us checking is “insulting” and she doesn’t want to be “treated like a child.” Any help is appreciated.

Owner wrote to his “insulted” tanner (in part):
We understand that not everyone likes to use or show eye protection, but it is Federal Law that FDA-compliant eye protection must be worn to use a UV tanning bed. Anything other than FDA-complaint eye protection does not comply with the law. Even if there were no official government requirement, we would still require it. It is my feeling this safety requirement comes with nearly no downside.

Due to COVID, we no longer offer communal eye protection. This means each person must have their own pair. It also means that before we can let someone into a room, we need to physically see that eye protection. Our intention is simply to follow the law and encourage the safest tanning environment that we can.

To be clear, on each visit you will be required to show FDA-compliant eye protection, or you will be refused service. To make it easier for you, I have added $0.50 to your account so you can redeem it for a free pair of disposable eye protection. If for some reason you prefer not to tan rather than show your eye protection, please let me know and we will refund you.

I thought Owner’s response was great. When we spoke on the phone, I learned that he had 17 years of experience in tanning. Owner shared, “The hardest thing about responding to this customer was that I wanted to be respectful, but firm. I thought it was important for her to understand why we require eye protection (for her safety) while not trying to hide behind a policy or pass the blame. The reason I added fifty cents on her account was to remove any barriers she might have, such as, ‘I didn’t bring any money’, etc.”

Here are some additional thoughts I provided to Owner:

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September 2021 – Eye Pro, Inc., world leader in clean, disposable eye protection for indoor tanning and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is helping make social media efforts easier for salons with fresh new seasonal memes geared toward fall … for FREE!

“Social media is a constantly moving target and now more than ever, people are relying on it for immediate attention and promotion,” explained Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “It’s hard enough to determine which platform is best for your particular salon and then, continuously develop posts that will engage your online followers. Social media ads,or ‘memes’ offer a quick, visual and fun way to stay in front of your customers on an on-going basis, while subtly educating them on the importance of eyewear, lotions and tanning tips.”
(more…)

August 2021 – EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, is offering a great way to help salons start the conversation with tanners about why eye protection is important, and more importantly, required — even before they walk through the salon door.

“Many tanners don’t realize why wearing eyewear protects your eyes, but also that it’s REQUIRED and not an option,” reminded Brenda Fishbaugh, EYE PRO President. “Tanners sign a waiver that includes a lot of information, and that’s all they remember.  Asking new clients — ‘Do you have your eyewear?’ — might be seen as a bit confrontational.  A better approach is to use subtle messaging in every form of interaction with your tanners to help remind them that eye protection IS required and why it’s so important.”

For example, have your eye protection options on display behind the counter, or even on the front counter of the salon.  Keeping goggles and disposables in the display boxes they come in also really helps catch a tanner’s attention.  A professional sign in your lobby or hallway, or on each tanning bed reminds everyone that eyewear is required.  “If your staff has been eye-protection certified, framing and displaying your eye expert certificates on the wall also sends a strong ‘eye protection is important here’ message,” reminded Jackie DeWalk, EYE PRO Office Manager.

Social media is also a great way to bump your tanners with reminders. “When you run a professional salon with a highly educated staff, it’s so important to promote that to customers every chance you get,” said DeWald.  “We want to make sure salons are equipped with all the necessary tools to let tanners know they have eye protection options,” she continued.

“Our FREE window cling placed on the front window of your salon or just inside the door is the perfect way to not only let your tanners know eye protection is required before they walk in, but also that you carry the original ‘clean’ brand of disposable eye protection, and the best available,” explained Fishbaugh. “It helps start the conversation, while reminding them that not all eye protection is the same.”  (more…)

July 2021 –EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in disposable eye protection and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK- EASE and WINK-EASE Dark, wants salon operators to know it’s simply smart to protect tanners’ eyes from any intense light by offering eye protection for every type of session.

Eye protection is not required by law for red-light sessions, but IS required in hybrid tanning units emit- ting UV. “Hybrids are super bright, because they are UV AND red light. So tanners can wear our disposable Ultra Gold or Lash Room styles, or they can really diminish the bright light with WINK-EASE Dark,” explained Eye Pro President, Brenda Fishbaugh. “Because of its custom fit, WINK- EASE Dark leaves maximum eye area exposed so the user receives the full benefits of red light, as well as protection from the extreme brightness.”

“Tanners love our original disposables; however, when they want a quick lunchtime nap, or they suffer from migraines or even have hangovers, the unanimous choice is disposable WINK-EASE Dark,” adds Fishbaugh. “They still provide FDA-compliant eye protection, but is considerably darker than our Ultra Gold style. It helps tanners nap more easily, avoid light-sensitive headaches, and is the perfect choice for hybrid sessions,” she continued. (more…)

You’ve heard from me before with my ideas for getting tanners to protect their eyes, but let’s go to salon owners around the country and ask them how they present a convincing eye protection case to their salon guests. So many operators shared their tips, this will be a multi-part series!

Kristin Lee Smithers, owner of Sunny Shores Tanning & Treasures in North East, PA, starts with a personal connec- tion. “I was dumb when I was younger and didn’t use eye protection. Now, I barely have night vision,” she explains. “Most of us understand that we should wear sunglasses outside, but it’s even more critical to wear eye protection in a sunbed.” Kristin tells them that it’s a state and federal law, as well as a require- ment of her insurance coverage, but she wants them to know how she damaged her eyes before becoming a salon owner.

Longtime salon owner, Rhonda Culligan, relocated to a new state and started all over with Sunsational Spray Tan Spa in Chattanooga, TN. She echoes Kristin’s approach. “I burned my retinas and corneas, so I am emphatic about tanners using eyewear!” she exclaims. She starts with, “Eyewear is required by law.

Keep it clean and easy at your salon and make sure your tanners know how you’re doing it!

June 2021 — EYE PRO, Inc., world leader in eyewear and makers of Ultra Gold WINK-EASE, Lash Room WINK-EASE, and WINK-EASE Dark, wants salons to understand the benefits of offering disposable eye protection!

Since the pandemic began over a year ago, we have all looked for ways to keep things clean. No one wants to be sick or get anyone else sick. Salon owners want to keep their doors open and clients safe. Sometimes we don’t realize how simple keeping things clean really can be. Just look at the options of eye protection.

“In the tanning industry, eye protection is REQUIRED,” reminded Jackie DeWald, EYE PRO office manager.  “It is important for salon owners/staff to offer a variety of eye protection so clients may choose what is best for them. Along with offering options, it is also important to communicate to your clients how you are ensuring the eye protection options you offer are clean.”

“If your salon PROVIDES eye protection, it is very important that the tanner knows what cleaning procedures are in place,” said DeWald. “If your salon SELLS eye protection, the tanner also needs to know what THEY should be doing to keep their eye protection clean.”

“One of the easiest solutions to making sure you have a clean eye protection option is to offer disposable eye protection,” DeWald continued. “Disposable eye protection has to be manufactured in an FDA-compliant facility that is inspected, providing tanners with the knowledge that each pair is carefully manufactured. Disposable eye protection is also meant to only be used once. EVERY pair is fresh and clean for the tanner!” (more…)