Taking good care of your sunbed acrylics will ensure a long life, as well as an excellent tanning experience with enhanced results for your clients. Usually, acrylics have a lifespan of 5 to 6 years, but eventually, they will deteriorate. This is a natural process due to a reaction to UV exposure. Without care, you will find that they will deteriorate at a quicker rate or eventually crack.
To keep your acrylics in tip-top condition we have compiled this quick user guide. This covers cleanliness and general care, and what your customers can and cannot do to maintain the quality of your acrylic.
One of the biggest problems for a sunbed acrylic is caused by clients using the sunbed as a footrest when tying their shoelaces. The weakest point of an acrylic sheet is the edge and the downward pressure from this action, in a concentrated spot, will result in a crack.
After a session and while you are cleaning it in readiness for the next customer, it is always good practice to inspect the sunbed acrylic for cracks. This will prevent the next customer from cutting or scratching themselves. That could lead to a whole lot of problems.
Many salon owners are unaware that certain sunbed lotions can damage a sunbed acrylic. The reason this happens is some of the creams contain mineral oils. Mineral oil will react with some of the components used in the manufacture of acrylic causing a fogging effect. Besides being unsightly, it will affect the tanning results by obscuring the level of UVA and UVB reaching the client.
It is worth asking the customer what lotions they are using, just so you can check to see if it is safe to use on your sunbed. If it is a brand you don’t stock, then this could lead to informing them of what lotions you can offer. All the small sales add up!
If a client uses a “tingle” lotion, then you must ensure you clean the sunbed very thoroughly to remove any trace of the tingle before your next client uses the sunbed. If you don’t do this, the tingle lotion could transfer onto the following customer, affecting their tanning experience.
All jewellery must be removed to avoid scratching the acrylic. Scratches on the acrylics will lead to damage and you needing to replace it sooner than you would like.
Wearing jewellery can also cause harm to your clients, especially metal items as they can heat up while they are tanning. This can lead to their skin being burned. By encouraging your customers to remove their jewellery and watches, you will protect both your customers and your sunbeds.
At the end of the day, always disinfect the acrylic and give it a deep clean to rid the acrylic of any residue lotions and any sweat left by customers during their sessions. Not only does this ensure your sunbed is hygienic, but it also prevents your sunbed acrylic from deteriorating prematurely.
Dust and dirt can build up on the underside of the acrylic. This is not only unsightly, but it can also reduce the tanning effect by preventing the UV from reaching your clients.
Many salons believe that you can use household cleaners and disinfectants on your sunbed to clean it. This is not the case as many products contain alcohol and abrasives that can cause damage to your acrylics. The alcohol and harsh chemicals in household disinfectants can the acrylic to deteriorate very quickly. Household cleaners can also affect your clients as the ingredients can irritate sensitive skin. When you are cleaning your sunbed, only use cleaning products and disinfectants specifically designed for sunbeds. This will ensure the longevity of your sunbed, the best standard of hygiene and the best tanning experience for your customers.
We recommend Twist Clean from American Leisure. This is specially formulated for sunbeds to give the best quality sanitising, keeping your sunbed hygienic and fresh to enhance your customer’s tanning experience. It is tried and tested killing 99% of germs in just 30 seconds
