Thanks to Absolute Tan, the new tanning salon on the Corner, now you can get smart while you get a tan.
The shop, which is family-owned and operated, specializes in educating its clients about safe tanning before bronzing their bods.
Absolute Tan adheres to and promotes the guidelines set forth by the Smart Tan organization, which offers a special certification for tanning bed employees.
Nicole Jackson, a fourth-year College student, has worked at Absolute Tan since it opened July 3, but first had to pass a Smart Tan test that included over 100 questions.
"When I started tanning last year, no one ever told me what to do," Jackson said. "This is a more controlled atmosphere where we want to educate our customers about tanning safely and not burning."
Before a client can slip into one of the salon's 16 High-Pressure, Super or Ultra tanning beds, they must fill out a client card so employees can advise them according to their skin type.
Information about a client's tanning history and genetics is logged into a computer system that employees access each time the client comes in to tan.
"How much you can tan is based on your genetic make-up," Jackson explained. "Because we have each person's information and picture on our computer, we can check their progress and make sure they have the goggles and lotions they need."
Absolute Tan not only makes a priority out of safe tanning but also comfort. Each bed is located in its own room, complete with AM/FM radio, a CD player, body stickers and mint. The client is not responsible for sanitizing their bed after use, which means the shop oversees the sanitizing themselves.
"This is a cleaner, more knowledgeable place," Jackson said. "Because we sanitize the beds ourselves, it is a more professional atmosphere."
Although Absolute Tan makes every effort to pamper clients, they never bend the rules when it comes to safety.
"We don't hesitate to turn people away if they are too fair," Jackson said. "I had a girl come in this week and insist that she had tanned before, even though she was very pale. I couldn't let her in the beds, but I sold her some sunless tanner."
Despite their popularity, tanning beds still carry a bad rap and often are associated with skin damage and skin cancer. Smart Tan's monthly publication, "Tanning Trends," tries to combat this negative attitude with research that investigates the benefits of ultra-violet rays, which includes the production of Vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium.
"I can't tell you it's safe, but it is a very controlled environment," owner Roger Pietrzyk said. "Everyone needs a little tan to protect their bodies."
Even though such dangers exist, it does not seem to cast a pale over the tanning industry. In the past month and a half, Absolute Tan already has logged 200 clients into their computer database.
"We have some pretty intense tanners, including one guy who comes in every day," Jackson said. "Our clientele keeps growing, and we have at least 20 guys on our roster."
Pietrzyk even sites nearby hospital employees as regular customers, some of whom he says work in the cancer center.
One woman, who identified herself as Roxie, comes in during her lunch break to catch a few rays and a midday nap.
"I used to come in a lot but then I had to take a break," she said. "If I come in too much, I get burnt out."
No pun intended.
Read More
10 things I would do differently this syllabus week
By Anna Stamey | 15 hours agoIf I could redo my first week at the University, I’d make a few changes — ones that could save me my time, money and sanity.
On embodying ‘Hey There Delilah’
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoA long-distance relationship – in which the hurdle of communication and staying connected doubles in size – was the bane of my existence, something that I wanted to shy away from for as long as possible
Sbrocco’s serves breakfast classics with rich flavors
By Ingrid Gay | August 18, 2025Sbrocco's lures in customers with their Pinterest-worthy decor and high-quality baked goods, ranging from their brioche-based donuts to New Jersey crumb buns to refreshing cold brew
