Ambrosia Services

Bringing out the beauty

By MARJON ROSTAMI, mrostami@sastandardtimes.com or 659-8265August 7, 2006

What's summer without a tan?

While the threat of skin cancer might keep some people from soaking up the sun, others turn to alternative methods of acquiring the sun-kissed look - tanning salons.

When Slade Moffat, owner of Elite Physique tanning salon, started the business in 1993, she only had two tanning beds. Now, more than 10 years later, the once small tanning salon has expanded to 13 tanning beds and will open another location on Southwest Boulevard in the fall.

''It's such a fun job,'' she said. ''We get to deal with the best people, and everyone is in such a good mood because they are looking forward to tanning. And it always smells good in here.''

When is your peak season?

Slade Moffat: We peak during February, March, April and May. This last year we started getting busy in January. It's amazing how non-seasonal tanning has become.

Who is your target audience?

Because we have so many different services, we see people from the teens to our oldest customer, who is 83. You'd think we target women from late teens to 25, but no. We see a lot of professionals who don't have time to get color. They come in here, and it's a type of stress release for them.

What other services do you provide?

Facial rejuvenation, spa, hair and nails - anything a customer could want to pamper themselves.

Who is your most surprising customer?

About 40 percent of our customers are men. It's not so surprising anymore because it's such a high number. Men just don't think other men tan, and a lot of them are doctors.

How would you address the issue of tanning and links to cancer?

To us, tanning is not evil. You're not putting foreign chemicals into your body like you do with smoking and drinking that can cause cancer. We look at the sun as a source of life. In a tanning bed, you're in a controlled atmosphere so you don't burn, you gradually build a base and get darker.

Sometimes the media sensationalizes the risk of cancer from tanning and sometimes people don't see the benefits of sun therapy.

What can customers do to avoid the risk?

We don't allow customers to tan within 24-hours of their last tan. It's a huge customer service issue and state law. Texas is the most controlled state in the nation when it comes to tanning. We are very regulated, which is good. It makes us more confident.

It is hard, especially during peak season, because customers get frustrated when we tell them to wait 15 minutes until it's been a full 24-hours since their last tan.

What's your best tanning tip?

It's better to tan every other day instead of everyday. You see better results.

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posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 12:16 PM