The indoor tanning industry is heating up, despite continuing consumer health warnings from dermatologists and sunscreen companies.
“The industry now is sort of where gyms and health clubs were about 10 years ago,” said Rick Maffezzoli, owner of The Tan Co. on York Road in Towson. “In many ways, the industry is still in the mom-and-pop stage.”
About 30 million people visit indoor tanning facilities each year, and the industry as a whole generates about $5 billion annually, according to the Washington-based Indoor Tanning Association.
Maffezzoli, who has worked in the health club industry for 12 years, got involved with the Missouri-based Tan Co. last year, opening the York Road location in June 2006. Maffezzoli plans to open six additional salons in the state in the next five years.
The Tan Co. currently totals 72 locations in 12 states. In 2006, The Tan Co. salons had average revenues of more than $550,000 and average profits of more than $213,000, according to the company.
The tanning franchise has succeeded amid ongoing reports of the health risks, most notably skin cancer, associated with indoor tanning, Maffezzoli said.
“We take every new customer and educate them on proper use of the equipment and skin care,” Maffezzoli said.
In addition, indoor tanning helps the skin produce Vitamin D, which can help prevent osteoporosis and cancer, Maffezzoli said.
Dr. Nassif E. Soueid, director of microsurgery at The Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson, encourages his patients to avoid indoor tanning. For those who do tan, Soueid recommends the patients use sunscreen, regularly check their skin for moles and consider using self-tanning lotion as an alternative.
Indoor Tanning
» There are about 25,000 professional indoor tanning facility businesses in America, employing about 160,000 people.
» Each year, about 10 percent of the American public visits an indoor tanning facility.
Source: Indoor Tanning Association
