Choosing a tanning salon in Reading

1. How old are the lamps?

UV lamps lose output as they age, so an old lamp means longer sessions for the same result. Ask when the tubes were last changed and how many hours they have run. A salon that tracks this will tell you straight away.

2. Do they assess your skin type?

Any salon that sells you twelve minutes on a first visit without asking about your skin, medication or history is not looking after you. A Fitzpatrick assessment and a conservative first session should be standard.

3. What equipment do they run?

Modern hybrid cabins — such as the Ultrasun Q16 and E7 we have installed in Tilehurst — combine UV with red light and give a more even result in less time than a decade-old bed. Ask the make and model, then look it up.

4. Hygiene between sessions

• Acrylics wiped down with an approved cleaner between every client, not just at the end of the day.
• Fresh goggles or properly sanitised eyewear supplied free of charge.
• Adequate ventilation and cooling in each cabin.

5. Transparent pricing

Prices should be published: per minute or per session, with the cost of courses and memberships clear before you commit. Be wary of pressure to buy a large minute bundle on a first visit.

6. Location and hours that actually work

A tanning course only works if you can keep to it. Parking, opening hours that cover before and after work, and a location on your normal route matter far more than a few pounds' difference in price. Ours is on School Road in Tilehurst, with free parking outside and easy access from Calcot, Purley on Thames and Reading town centre.