Tanning Salon or Sun Spa? Why the Industry Is Expanding Spa Services

Some people are heading to tanning salons for red light therapy instead of to tan. Joel Gelfand, MD, the James J. Leyden, M.D. Endowed Professor in Clinical Investigation in the department of Dermatology and director of Penn’s Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center, said that while red-light therapy is generally safe, he recommends asking your doctor about what your desired effect is and how to best achieve it. He also said people with darker skin may see skin discoloration from red-light therapy.