Don’t set yourself up for a dark situation with the FDA or FTC by overreaching into the role of a medical professional you are not licensed to be.
When working with red-light therapy, joules are the most important measurement that we use to determine how much light emission creates the desired result
Skincare products that not only allow red light to penetrate the skin effectively, but also mimic and enhance the skin’s natural response to red light are a game-changer for the tanning and wellness industry!
Educating salon guests about RLT involves more than just listing benefits; it’s about empowering them with knowledge.
Light has always been a crucial part of our health and well-being. As the owner of a wellness spa and a board-certified light therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful light therapy can be for clients seeking natural, effective solutions. From regulating our sleep cycles to enhancing skin health and even easing pain, light therapy is making waves in the wellness industry. It’s an exciting time to be in this space, and I want to share why light therapy is becoming such a game-changer for spa and salon owners looking to expand their offerings.
On January 25th, 2025, I had the amazing opportunity to speak at the Heartland Tanning VIBE Expo in Kansas City, Missouri. It was an inspiring and incredible experience to share the stage with industry leaders like Jerry Deveney from POLY. I was eager to help the attendants dive into the fascinating world of photobiomodulation (PBM), or light therapy. The energy in the room, as well as the energy of the entire event, was incredible! It was clear that the interest in this light therapy is growing, and I was and am excited to help shed some light on it.
Light is more than just illumination; it’s energy, a biological catalyst that fuels life itself. In recent years, red light therapy (RLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), has gained traction for its ability to enhance cellular function, support healing, and combat oxidative stress. But how does it work, and why should tanning salons take notice? Let’s explore the science and benefits behind this radiant innovation.
As tanning salon owners explore adding red light therapy to their services, it’s time to clear up some of the biggest misconceptions. And trust me when I say that there are a lot of them. I’m here to set the record straight, from understanding how to calculate joules to debunking hybrid tanning unit myths. Let’s get to it and make sure you have the facts to back up your offerings.
As Red Light Therapy (RLT) gains popularity in tanning salons, on internet forums, and especially on TikTok, so does the amount of misinformation floating around. Misinformation can be dangerous and also just a major disservice to clients. That’s exactly why I’m committed to making sure everything I teach, write, and share is rooted in real science, published research, and years of hands-on experience. I’ve worked in this space long enough to see fads come and go. What sticks is truth and transparency.
In the wellness and spa industry, light therapy is often marketed as a cure all, an easy and noninvasive solution to everything from wrinkles and joint pain to energy slumps and injury recovery. But like many things in life, more is not always better, and not everyone is a candidate for this modality. While photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, more commonly known as red and near infrared light therapy, has numerous studied benefits, it is a precision based science that requires thoughtful application, responsible training, and careful consideration of client history. As a Board Certified Light Therapist working closely with a variety of LED therapy devices, I have seen firsthand the results this technology can produce. I have also seen what happens when it is misused.
Step right up, friends in the tanning and wellness world! Get ready for a behind the scenes look at the dazzling spectacle of light therapy marketing. Sure, it looks impressive on the surface, big claims, flashy buzzwords, and high tech packaging, but underneath all that showmanship, there’s some clever misdirection happening. We’re pulling back the magician’s cloak on misleading specs and marketing tricks. Because while the source might shine bright, it’s what actually hits your skin that truly matters.
This piece emphasizes that real wellness transformation comes from consistency, education, and evidence based services rather than one time luxury treatments. By using accessible, science backed options like red light therapy, UV tanning, saunas, massage, and skincare as part of a structured membership plan, clients see lasting improvements in how they look, feel, and function. The focus is on teaching both staff and clients how and why these technologies work, building trust through transparency, and prioritizing results over marketing hype. True value comes from affordable routines people can maintain long term, leading to better health outcomes, client loyalty, and credibility for the business.
A piece I contributed my first month as a Senior Staff Writer, For Salon Owners to Motivate staff.