Frequently Asked Questions

The question we get asked most often is: Why tan? People who are exposed to longer hours of bright light feel happier and are able to enjoy life. Potential health benefits include but are not limited to: production of Vitamin D, decreased risks of breast and colon cancer, and reduced risk of sunburn. The psychological benefits of tanning are also well researched. Sunlight deprivation has been linked to some mental disorders. There are numerous reasons, physical and psychological, why exposure to ultraviolet light is desirable. FDA regulations at the present time prevent the indoor tanning industry from making any medical representations or claims related to indoor tanning exposure. And of course, people know that a great tan looks good, feels good, and can add to personal confidence and attractiveness.

Billing

What is the last day of the to make changes to my account?
You can cancel, freeze, upgrade, or downgrade your account at least 1 day prior to your next billing date.

How can I cancel my account?
Please submit a contact request here or visit a location to submit cancellation in-store. Cancels must be done at least 1 day prior to your next billing date, and may only be completed after the 90-day minimum commitment has been met.

How can I freeze my account?
Freezes can be completed here.

How do I change my current membership to a different membership?
Please visit a location to upgrade or downgrade your membership.

What day does automatic billing take place?
Billing takes place the daily basis. Your billing date is the same date monthly that you signed up for your membership on. (If you signed up on the 2nd your billing date will be the 2nd of every month. If you signed up on the 29th, 30th, or 31st, you will be billed on the 28th of every month due to varying calendar days).

Can I change the automatic billing date?
Your draft date cannot be changed.

How do I change the card that my membership is being billed on or make a payment?
You can update your primary or secondary payment information via the customer portal here or visit any location to update in-store.

How do I resolve any other billing question or problem not listed here?
Please submit a description of your issue here.

Customer Service

Where do I direct comments or complaints regarding a Chili Pepper’s Tanning location or employee?
Please submit a contact request here and we will deliver your message to the appropriate person for a follow-up.

How can I get ahold of the manager without leaving a message?
The best way for us to resolve any questions or concerns is to submit a contact request here. Please include your name, phone number, and email address to pass on to management. Your message will be returned within 72 hours, Monday-Friday.

Reminder: The last day for cancellation requests is 1 day prior to your next billing date.

Returns / Exchanges

Can I return or exchange a product that I have purchased?
All sales are final.

Cancellations

Can I cancel my membership at the end of any month?
The last day for cancellations is 1 day prior to your next billing date. Any cancellations received after your billing date will be cancelled after one additional monthly payment.

Freezes

Freezing your membership allows you to remain frozen as long as you would like, securing your current membership pricing (for when you unfreeze). During your freeze, you will be charged $5 per month until you decide to unfreeze or cancel your membership. As long as you are frozen, you are grandfathered into the monthly rate you signed up for and would not be affected if there were to be a price increase during the time your membership is frozen.

How can I put my account on freeze?
Please submit a freeze request here.

Can I use the services while my account is frozen?
Yes, you may pay walk-in prices to use services or take advantage of your membership discount to make product purchases. Your membership discount does NOT apply to walk-in prices while frozen.

Will I have to pay a start-up fee when I reactivate (unfreeze) my account?
Your account will be reactivated based upon the prorated reactivation price, determined by your membership level and reactivation day. Your monthly payment will continue drafting your account on your original billing date of each month.

Do I keep my original monthly membership fee when I unfreeze my account?
Yes, your monthly membership rate stays the same after reactivating your account.

What is the last day of the month to freeze my account?
You may freeze your account at least 1 day prior to your next billing date. If you freeze after your billing date, your membership will freeze the following month, but you are able to actively use your membership until the freeze is activated.

How do I unfreeze my account?
To unfreeze your account, simply go into a Chili Pepper’s Tanning location, and they will unfreeze it for you. You’ll just pay the prorated amount for the rest of the month on the day you come in, and your normal billing will resume on your original billing date of each month. We want to make sure you have the best possible experience with us, so please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

General Questions About Tanning

Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning?

Yes, in fact, sometimes more so because you are in a controlled environment. Your skin produces a tan the same way in an indoor tanning salon as it does when you lay out in the sun: through ultraviolet (UV) light. However, out in the sun, you cannot control the amount of UV light exposure and trying to achieve an all-over even-body tan is very difficult. Indoor tanning allows you to control the amount of UV light, for an even tan. With indoor tanning you can gradually increase your exposure time eliminating any sunburn, which is harmful to the skin. The results and convenience of an “indoor tan” allows a year round healthy looking tan without concerns of prolonged exposure to the burning rays of the sun.

What should I wear to tan?

Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. But, because of the privacy of indoor tanning, most tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to ultraviolet light before will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly. Cut down the exposure time for these areas to 1/3 or less of the total time recommended by your tanning professional. When you can’t see any tan lines on your body at all, it’s ok to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body.

Is it okay to shower right away after tanning?

Absolutely! Tanning is a process that can take up to 24 hours to develop. You can not “wash” away your tan, unless you are using a self tanner, shaving right away, or exfoliating.

Should I use SPF on my lips?

Yes! You should use an SPF on your lips because your lips can’t tan.

Do I really have to wear eye goggles?

Yes! It is very important! Your skin can tan – your eyes can’t! Federal law requires all tanning salons to offer customers proper eye protection. This eyewear must meet federal government standards by blocking 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Closing the eyelids or using sunglasses or cotton balls is not adequate protection as the UV rays will easily penetrate these things and continue into the eyes.

Can I tan if I'm pregnant?

Please consult your physician. Although we know that there is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper than the dermis (skin layer). Pregnant women are advised to be cautious with saunas, hot tubs and other things that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. If your physician okay’s your tanning, speak to our Tanning Consultant about which units and times of day are the coolest.

How do I keep my tan?

Moisturize! Moisturize! Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion especially formulated-for-tanning. Your skin is constantly renewing itself. The dryer your skin is, the faster it wants to shed its top layers and bring new skin to the surface. You loose the top layers, you loose your tan. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even with moisturizing you will still need to maintain a tanning schedule of every 4 to 5 days, or at least once a week, to keep your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time.

How long will it take to see results?

To build an awesome tan, tan regularly. Allowing too much time between visits will cause your tan to fade. Most people will see a skin color change after the first few sessions. Normally, you will have a good base tan in 6-10 sessions. Then one or two sessions a week thereafter will maintain your tan year round. There are special cells in the skin called melanocytes. Ultraviolet B rays stimulate these cells and cause them to produce melanin. As these cells migrate to the surface of the skin, ultraviolet A rays oxidize them; thus creating a tan. Each of us has a different amount of melanin. Fair-skinned, fair-haired people generally have less than dark-haired, dark-skinned people. This determines, for the most part, how quickly and how dark your skin will tan.

Can I use outdoor oils and lotions in the tanning bed?

NO, just as the word indicates outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the acrylic. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. There are many excellent indoor tanning products for that purpose. Ask our tanning professional for recommendations.

I'm really in a hurry... can I tan more than once on the same day?

Only if you do a “Margarita Mix”. Want a deep, dark tan NOW? You should consider using our sunless Spray Booth immediately after tanning in a high pressure bed or booth. In just seconds you can have the deep dark color you desire. Spray booth tanning is allowed on the same day as a traditional tanning session.

How old do I have to be to tan without my parent's consent?

Sixteen in a UV free Spray Tan or Eighteen for UV tanning. Chili Pepper’s Tanning requires signed parental permission for anyone under 18 years of age. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present with them to sign the Release Form before tanning the first time in our salon as well as a form of photo ID. After signing the Release, parents do not need to be present on subsequent visits. We will not accept notes from home, phone calls or parents of friends or other relatives to sign for them as we cannot verify their authenticity.

How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions?

The FDA requires 24 hours between tanning sessions. We recommend allowing at least 2 days in between sessions whenever time allows.

What causes white spots?

Tinea Versicolor, a skin condition, caused by a microscopic fungus from the scalp, falls onto arms, shoulders, and other body parts and leaves bleached-looking areas on the skin, which can spread. It is treatable with topical aids such as leaving the active ingredient in Selsum Blue dandruff shampoo on for 10 minutes along with applying Tea Tree oil twice daily for mild cases. For more resistant conditions, your doctor may prescribe pills for treatment. Since tinea versicolor covers skin cells and acts as a sun screen with high SPF factor, the effected areas will not tan and should be protected from further ultraviolet light exposure until those bleached areas have begun developing melanin again.

Can indoor tanning cure acne?

Phototherapy (use of UV light) has been used in treating the skin problems of this condition. Tanning dries the skin and this can help keep acne outbreaks to a minimum in acute cases and can help eliminate outbreaks in mild cases. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also used for the treatment of acne and because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must take extreme care with UV exposure when medicated.

Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

A growing body of scientific evidence exists that shows some people require more light exposure in order to function properly. Bright light exposure, such as the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin which acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Effected people, exposed to longer hours of bright light, feel happier and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD).