We are looking for cool, hip and savvy business entrepreneurs to join our team. Sun Cocktail is a brand name trusted by many professionals who have remained as loyal customers over the years.  In today’s competitive market we go beyond the basic need of our clients, we support them every step of the way.    We are looking for individuals who have the same core values as we do: integrity, honesty and the desire to succeed.

Our marketing team has created an innovative approach to owning your own business.  We have modernized the sunless industry, and have eliminated the guesswork and the huge start up cost.  Your return on investment is quick and effortless.  Seize the opportunity and become part of the growing demand in the sunless tanning industry!

If you would like further information in becoming a Sun Cocktail distributor please contact us by email at: inquiries@suncocktail.com or call us at: 1-866-210-6586 we would love to hear from you!

Going out to get a tan in Victoria could soon feel a lot like heading to the bar if a proposal to ban underage patrons from tanning salons is passed into law.

The Capital Regional District is considering a bylaw that would ban people under 18 from using tanning beds, and would require identification from anyone who appears under 25.

The bylaw is a response to growing concerns in recent years that tanning among young people significantly increases the risk of skin cancer.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, the chief medical health officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, says governments need to step in to protect young people from the damaging artificial rays of tanning beds.

The Canadian Cancer Society and other groups have intensified efforts in recent years to convince governments to ban teens from tanning facilities.

But few governments in Canada have any laws or regulations in place to regulate the industry — instead allowing the industry to set its own rules.

Doug McNabb of the Joint Canadian Tanning Association opposes the bylaw, suggesting a better approach would be to require parental consent before minors are allowed to tan.

- Article by CBC News, Published on Thursday July 15, 2010, click here to read more. ]]> http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/youth-ban-at-tanning-salons-mulled-by-victoria/feed/ 0 http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/255/ http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/255/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:41:19 +0000 Sandra http://suncocktail.com/?p=255

Skin cancer rates among younger Canadians are rising just as the number of skin specialists available is set to decline.

Canadians born in the 1990s are two to three times more likely to get skin cancer in their lifetime than those born in the 1960s, says the Canadian Dermatology Association, which is holding its annual meeting in Vancouver.

The rate for those born in the 1990s is one in six, compared with one in 20 for the older group, it says.

An estimated 75,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with non-malignant skin cancer this year, the association says.

Of that number, 5,000 will learn they have malignant melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It often starts out as a coloured mole or spot, but can spread fast to surrounding skin and other organs.

While cancer rates are rising for younger Canadians, however, the retirement rate of skin specialists could lead to a possible doctor shortage.

“Twenty-two per cent of dermatologists will retire in the next five years, and 45 per cent of dermatologists are expected to retire in the next 10 years,” Dr. Jason River, a spokesman for the Canadian Dermatology Association, told CBC news.

“We’re seeing a definite shortage, and it will become more critical as time goes on,” he said.

“Dermatologists themselves are striving to increase our capacity to see patients,” Dr. Larry Warshawski, the association’s outgoing president, told The Canadian Press.

“Our problem right now is numbers. There are only about 650 dermatologists across the country right now,” he said.

Longer waiting times

A further concern for the association is that wait times to see a dermatologist have been steadily increasing, as well. They have doubled in the last five years to about 10 weeks, Warshawski said.

Dermatologists are medical specialists who deal with diseases of the skin, hair and nails, the association says on its website. It can take 13-15 years to become a dermatologist, including four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, a five-year residency, and optional fellowships of one to two years, the website says.

While the dermatologists meet in B.C., their association continues to promote the need for public awareness for diagnosis, treatment and prevention, including from the sun and from tanning beds.

“We need to have legislation and healthy public policies to encourage people to have healthy sun behaviours,” Sue McPhail, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Cancer Society told CBC News.

- Article by CBC News, Published Friday July3, 2009, click here to read more.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It often starts out as a coloured mole or spot, but can spread fast to surrounding skin and other organs. Melanomas make up only one or two per cent of all skin cancers, but they are the type most likely to be fatal.

The skin’s melanocytes (cells that determine skin colour) produce a pigment called melanin that gives skin its colour and protects it from sun damage. When skin is exposed to the sun, it produces more pigment and darkens. Melanocytes often cluster together and form moles. Most moles are benign, but some become malignant melanomas.

Are there different forms of the disease?

There are four types of melanomas, depending on their location, shape, and whether they grow outward or downward into the skin.

• Superficial, spreading or flat: Grows outwards at first and forms an irregular pattern on the skin, with an uneven colour.
• Nodular: Is lumpy and often a blue-black colour. It may grow faster and spread downwards, into the skin.
• Acral melanomas: Develop on the palms of the hand, soles of the feet or the nailbeds.
• Lentigo maligna: Usually develops on the faces of elderly people.

What causes melanomas?

The biggest contributing factor is the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Melanoma cancer typically starts in areas exposed only occasionally to the sun, such as the back, and the backs of the legs.

Who’s at risk?

People who have:

• Lots of moles, particularly atypical moles (irregular shaped, but benign).
• Family history of melanoma in more than one relative.
• Blond or red hair.
• Fair or freckled complexion.
• Had a severe sunburn during childhood.

As well, incidence rates and mortality rates appear to be higher for men.

Are rates rising?

Yes, says Dr. Gang Li, associate professor of dermatology and skin science at the University of British Columbia.

“It’s increased quite dramatically in the past few decades,” says Li. He says it’s unclear why, but he has a couple of theories.

“One thing could be the thinning of the ozone layer, which provides a filter for the UV light,” he says. “If the ozone becomes thin, there is more UV light. Another thing is a lot of people like going to the beach and getting a suntan.”

Melanoma incidence rates are increasing for both men and women. But the death rates are increasing for men and dropping for women. Li says it is unknown what’s behind this pattern.

There will be an estimated 5,000 new melanoma cases and 940 melanoma-related deaths in Canada this year, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

What’s the treatment?

The Canadian Cancer Society recommends reducing sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and using sunscreen with an SPF 15. (Mary Godleski/Associated Press)

Treatment depends on how thick a melanoma is. It could be surgery, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

One option is to surgically remove part or all of the tumour and the surrounding tissue. If the tumour is large, a skin graft may be needed as well.

However, the decision to have surgery depends on where the tumour is and how close it is to vital organs.

Another treatment is biological therapy. This involves administering special proteins or substances (similar to vaccines) to fight cancer cells or help boost the body’s immune system.

Chemotherapy involves using drugs or medications to interfere with the cancer’s ability to grow and spread. However, the drugs affect healthy cells too, leading to nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and hair loss. But these symptoms can be controlled. This treatment is rarely used for melanoma, but can be helpful in some cases.

Radiation therapy, which is also rarely used, involves using high energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. The treatment can damage tissues near the tumour, but this can usually be controlled.

Are you likely to survive if it’s caught early?

Yes. About 90 per cent of melanoma can be cured if caught in the early stages.

To catch it, here are some telltale signs to look for:

• Any birthmark or mole that changes in its shape, colour, size or surface.
• Any new growth on your skin — pale, pearly nodules that may grow larger and crusty, or red, scaly, sharply defined patches.
• Any sore that doesn’t heal.
• Any patch of skin that bleeds, oozes, swells, itches or becomes red and bumpy.

Does it spread rapidly?

Yes. It spreads faster than the other types of skin cancers. It varies from case to case, but it could spread from the skin to the lungs and other organs within months, says Li.

Can I get it if I use a tanning bed?

Yes. Exposure to UV rays can lead to melanoma, but Li says rays from a tanning bed can be especially harmful. There are three different types of UV rays: A, B and C. UV A — the kind found in a tanning bed — is the most carcinogenic.

How can I reduce the risk of developing melanomas?

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Dermatology Association recommend that Canadians:

• Reduce sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible.
• Put on clothing to cover your arms and legs.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• Use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).
• Keep babies younger than one year out of the direct sun.
• Avoid tanning parlours and sunlamps

- Article by CBC News, Published Friday July 3, 2009, click here to read more. ]]> http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/melanoma-faqs/feed/ 0 http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/tanning-beds-cause-cancer-who/ http://suncocktail.com/news-articles/tanning-beds-cause-cancer-who/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 02:36:22 +0000 Sandra http://suncocktail.com/?p=251

Tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation cause cancer and have been moved up to the highest risk category by international cancer experts.

The new classification means tanning beds and UV definitely cause cancer in humans, just as tobacco smoke, the hepatitis B virus and mustard gas do.

The International Agency for Cancer Research or IARC, the World Health Organization’s cancer wing in Lyon, France, updated the level based on research published online Wednesday in the medical journal Lancet Oncology.

“People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds,” said Vincent Cogliano, one of the study’s authors. “We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don’t think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan.”

Until now, tanning beds and UV were considered “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

Experts upgraded the level after a comprehensive analysis of about 20 studies concluded that the risk of skin melanoma is increased by 75 per cent when people started using tanning beds before age 30.

Risk level raised for all UV, ionizing radiation

Until now, only UVB radiation from solar rays was known to cause a genetic mutation.

But researchers found the same mutation in the skin of mice treated with UVA. The agency decided to reclassify all types of ultraviolet radiation — UVA, UVB and UVC — as carcinogenic to humans or Group 1 carcinogens.

Previously, the three UV types were grouped as probable carcinogens.

Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators, disputed the classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic.

“The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer,” Banks said in a statement.

Most people who use tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year, she said.

Dangerous for minors

Doctors have seen an increase in the number of young people with skin cancer as use of tanning beds has increased among those under 30.

Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them.

WHO has warned people younger than 18 to avoid tanning beds. The Canadian Cancer Society has called for minors to be barred from using tanning beds, and the American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing creams instead of tanning beds.

The expert working group also classified all types of ionizing radiation, such as radon gas, plutonium and radium and their decay products and radio-iodines, as Group 1 carcinogens.

The group also concluded there is enough evidence for ocular melanoma in welders, but because they are exposed to other harmful agents, the risk could not be attributed specifically to UV radiation.

- Article by CBC News, Published Tuesday, July 28, 2009, click here to read more.

Students at Kensington High School in P.E.I. are challenging their classmates to avoid tanning for this year’s prom.

‘If you start tanning younger than the age of 30, you increase your chances of getting skin cancer by 75 per cent.’ —Student Kathleen Murphy

Getting tanned shoulders for the prom dress is traditionally part of the graduation-class rite of passage on P.E.I., but growing awareness of skin cancer prompted two students, Kathleen Murphy and Chelsea Christensen, at the central Island school to launch a campaign against the practice.

For Christensen, skin cancer has become a personal issue.

“My mom got diagnosed with skin cancer last year,” Christensen told CBC News on Thursday. “It was found in a mole, because she had done so much tanning when she was younger.”

The two students launched a campaign this year asking to sign a pledge not to tan for the prom. School authorities offered two prom tickets in a draw for those signing up, and the Canadian Cancer Society came to the school to give a presentation on the dangers of tanning.

So far, 30 students have signed up for “Plan Not to Tan” — close to half of the graduating class.

Marla Delaney, prevention programs manager with the Cancer Society on P.E.I., said it’s exciting to see young people get involved with the issue.

“This is excellent. It’s everything I’m looking for the communities to step up and do,” said Delaney. “These students really had a passion.”

Murphy and Christensen are not stopping at their anti-tanning prom event. They also hope to gather support for a provincial ban on young people using tanning beds.

“The petition is going to say that we’d like people to not allow people who are 18 years or younger to use the tanning bed,” said Murphy. “The truth is, if you start tanning younger than the age of 30 you increase your chances of getting skin cancer by 75 per cent.”

- Article by CBC News, Published Friday, April 9, 2010, click here to read the full article.

The Medical Society of P.E.I. and the Canadian Cancer Society are still waiting for the province to move on legislation for tanning beds, and they say guidelines aren’t enough.

‘Don’t put all this on the salon owners. Don’t blame them.’— Kathy Tweel, salon owner

P.E.I. has the highest rate of melanoma in the country, and in July 2009 the World Health Organization published a report placing tanning beds in the same category as tobacco for cancer risk.

That report prompted a call for legislation from the P.E.I. division of the Canadian Cancer Society. It wanted the use of tanning beds by people under 18 banned.

Provincial Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison said the beds would be a part of a review of the Public Health Act that was going on at that time.

In September, the Medical Society of P.E.I. voted unanimously that the province should increase regulation of the beds.

Almost a year has gone by, and there have been no moves from the province.

The World Health Organization says one use of a tanning bed before the age of 30 increases the risk of melanoma by up to 75 per cent.
A Review of Human Carcinogens, The Lancet

“We’re still in a review process,” acting chief health officer Dr. Jeff Scott told CBC News Tuesday.

“We’re looking to see what is being implemented in other jurisdictions, for example like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

New Brunswick is implementing voluntary guidelines that will ask salon owners to turn away anyone under 18 years old.

Dawn Binns, executive director of the cancer society on P.E.I., said guidelines like the ones in New Brunswick aren’t good enough.

“Until it’s truly regulated there’s no way to know for sure if it’s being followed,” said Binns.

“How do we make sure we’re protecting our youth from those harmful rays? We have to have enforcement.”

Binns said there should be fines for salons that don’t follow the rules.

Kathy Tweel owns a tanning salon in Charlottetown, and she doesn’t believe the salons should be held entirely responsible.

“I think some of it has to be left up to the parents to make those decisions,” said Tweel.

“Don’t put all this on the salon owners. Don’t blame them, [saying] that these tanning beds and cancer are their fault.”

Scott said a law isn’t out of the question, but it will take some time before the province is ready to take any action.

- Article by CBC News, published Wednesday, June 30, 2010, click here to read the full article.

The advantages of Sun Cocktail’s tanning mist are endless; they range from health benefits such as preventing sun damage and nourishingthe skin to beauty benefits such as flawless complexion and a gorgeous natural glow. There are of course the intangible benefits of looking fantastic and feeling great about yourself. Here is what you can expect from using Sun Cocktail.  

Healthy and Natural

Sun Cocktail is natural as it uses organic botanical ingredients that work with your skin to produce a beautiful glow. Sun Cocktail is comprised of good for you ingredients such as Jojoba Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil and Aloe Leaf, all of which provide moisture and vital nutrients to your skin.  

Produces Flawless Skin

Sun Cocktail provides an even coverage to your face and body which helps to disguise the visual effects of fine lines, age spots, discoloration, blemishes and acne scars on the face as well as conceal cellulite, freckling, spider and varicose veins on the body.  

Enhances Your Appearance

The even, smooth caramel tones help to create contours and define the body, making the body look thinner and firmer. The look of a radiant tan also highlights your eyes, your skin and makes teeth appear whiter.

Skin Treatment:

An essential skin care treatment, Sun Cocktail’s unique high-performance formula is designed to address the overall health of your skin by ensuring it receives a dose of powerful natural ingredients that moisturizes, restores, renews and firms the skin. This highly concentrated formula provides your skin with Omega 6 essential fatty acids, Jojoba Oil, Grape Seed Oil, and Aloe for natural hydration.

Afraid that offering a spray tan treatment is counterproductive to selling indoor tanning? Think again. What better way to secure customer confidence than by showing them how to even out those unsightly tan lines? Most salons offer a complete line of sun protection products, so round out that promotion by offering your client a pre-scrub treatment with a spray tan to achieve a flawless overall glow, you will find it will shed new light on your profits.

Sunless tanning, once again has gained popularity.

Self tanners and spray tans have gained popularity in the past few years for a number of reasons. Certain members of the medical community’s condemnation of UV light have caused some sun worshippers to seek refuge indoors. Trends are showing that men and woman are taking considerable measures in the war of fighting wrinkles. In addition; many salons owners are noticing a trend toward their clients covering their faces with towels to avoid premature wrinkling. Spray tanning is a perfect solution for those telltale towel lines on their faces and necks.   It’s a great remedy for those people who have problems tanning or for difficult areas to tan such as hands and feet.

The tanning industry recognizes dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, as the colorless sugar that makes the magic happen in the self tanning process. DHA reacts with skin proteins, including amino acids, in the outermost layer of the skin. The reaction develops brown skin coloring that looks similar to a natural tan. Unfortunately streaking, botching and orange skin tints, quickly encapsulated everything viewed about sunless tanning.

Business Success with Sunless:

The mention of “sunless tanning” used to raise the hackles of many indoor tanning salons and spa owners. The whole concept—tanning without the use of ultraviolet radiation—went against everything salons stood for. Maybe it still does in some cases. After all, why would a customer come to a salon when her or she could stay at home and apply a lotion for an instant tan? The question isn’t as perplexing as it once was. In fact, the truth is sunless can be a salon owner’s friend.  As the refining process evolves; companies continue to produce a higher quality, more predictable DHA. The result is a more natural-looking off the beach look, without the ill effects of the sun. Clients no longer have to shy away from this service, a flawless application is the new lingo used to attract customers to this service.

As sunless tanning technology improves and education about it spreads through the industry, salon owners are beginning to understand the symbolic relationship between salons and sunless. By offering this service, salons can now satisfy yet another group of potential customers. When marketed properly, having the right equipment and solutions, these services can be an excellent ancillary profit center.

Besides, it’s becoming a sad fact in this industry that clients and professionals are still talking about the negative effects of past generations of sunless products. Like any other skin care products, sunless solutions have also advanced in technology. More and more companies have added anti aging ingredients to their formula, botanical extracts and skin softeners, harmful ingredients that can be harmful to the skin have been removed.  If you are looking to invest in bringing this service to your salon, look for quality of ingredients, education, and a skin care product line that supports this treatment, which is essential not only to prolong the life of a tan but also to maintain the quality of the skin between sessions.

Educating customers  ,is the first step in getting them to buy. In fact, informed salon owners may find sunless products to be exactly what they are looking for to diversify business

 Tan Responsibly

 Sandra Myatte/Educator and Founder for Sun Cocktail Industries

Color Not Lasting

As with anything, proper care and maintenance is the key to longevity.  It is important that clients are given the proper preparation procedures, either over the phone when the appointment is made or provided a prep sheet if they’re in the salon when making their appointment.

Prior to tanning, skin must be well exfoliated.  No deodorants, perfumes or moisturizers should be on the skin.  To maintain the color, soap-free body washes are to be used and moisturizer must be applied a couple times a day.  Exposure to chlorine and extended hot baths may affect the tan also.  A client with oilier skin will find the tan will last better and longer than someone who has dry skin.  Your face and hands will typically fade faster.

Tan Too Light

If an adequate amount of product is not applied, the tan will not appear dark enough.  The recommended application amount for spray tanning is about 2 ounces of solution per client to ensure the skin receives enough DHA to produce the tan.  Also, if a client has very fair skin, they will not come up as dark  as someone of a darker skin type.  You can safely say the color should be at least 3 shades darker than their natural or base color.  If one area is lighter than the rest, then not enough solution has been applied to that area.

Tan Too Dark

This appears to only affect those with fairer skin, as they do not normally tan and may find the color too dark.  Use solution with a lower DHA percentage or apply product in a thinner coat.

Patchiness

Generally this is caused by excessive friction from clothing or can be caused if the tan is not allowed to dry sufficiently before dressing or insufficient moisturizing.

Scaly/Lizard Skin Appearance

This is most always attributed to dry skin.  If the skin is not well hydrated, it exfoliates away unevenly, thus causing the lizard skin look.  This can also be caused if the previous tan has not been totally removed, or proper exfoliation has not been performed prior to a new tan; it affects the color by having underlying color left and the dead skin has not been removed to expose fresh new cells.

Be careful not to apply a tanning solution with too high of a DHA percentage on a fair skinned client – especially if they are susceptible to dry skin.  Poor fading will be accentuated by a very dark tan on a fair skinned client.

Again, proper maintenance and preparation is the key.

Orange Cast to Skin

The most likely cause of an orange cast to the skin is from over application.  (Improper exfoliation may also play a role.)  The recommended amount for spray tanning is about 2 ounces per client.  One more cause could be when the solution contains too high of a DHA percentage for the client’s skin type.  A client with a darker skin type may tolerate a higher percentage, while a fair skinned client may need a much lower DHA percentage.

Removing a Sunless Tan

For larger areas, soak in warm water with lemon juice and baking soda.  Follow with exfoliation.  For smaller areas, hydrogen peroxide, body hair bleach remover or lemon juice and baking soda may be used.