Frequently Asked Questions

Are Your Employees Trained?
Can I change the automatic billing date?
Can I return or exchange a tanning lotion that I have purchased?
Can I tan while my account is on Freeze?
Can I use my membership at any location?
Do I keep my original monthly membership rate when I resume tanning after a Freeze?
Do your Tanners Club Memberships have commitments?
Help! I’m moving, but I don’t want to cancel. What are my options?
How can I make sure I don’t turn orange when getting a spray tan?
How do I cancel my membership?
How do I change the account that my membership is being billed to?
How do I increase the life of my tan?
How do I know what my skin type is?
How do I prepare for my spray tan?
How does a spray tan work?
How does your skin tan?
How long does a spray tan last?
How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions?
How old do I have to be to tan?
I get white spots that won't tan. What are they?
I’m not going to tan for a period of time. Can I put my payments on hold?
Is tanning natural?
My legs and face have problems tanning. Help!
What day does automatic billing take place?
What if I can’t make it in store to cancel? Can I send an email or call in?
What is a sunburn?
What is Red Light Therapy?
What should be done to protect a tattoo during tanning?
Who can I speak with to resolve my billing issue or a customer service complaint?
Why do I feel better when I tan?
Why do I have to wear eye goggles?
Why is tanning lotion so important? Wont I tan without it?
Will I have to pay a start-up fee when I resume tanning after a Freeze?

Are Your Employees Trained?

As a leader in the tanning industry Sol’exotica insists that all salon employees are smart tan certified. This certification process enables staff to effectively educate and assist our clients about responsible tanning. A complete understanding of the science of skin allows us to develop custom programs that take into account skin type, tanning history and many other factors to achieve our clients desired results safely.

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Can I change the automatic billing date?

Yes! You can change between the two options of the 1st and the 15th. Simply visit your location to have your billing date changed.

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Can I return or exchange a tanning lotion that I have purchased?

We can definitely help with defective bottles that need replacing however, we are not able to return or exchange purchased product

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Can I tan while my account is on Freeze?

If you have minutes or money in your bonus bucks bank, you can certainly use these to tan, or purchase time while your membership is on freeze.

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Can I use my membership at any location?

At this time, our memberships are available only at the location where it was purchased. In the event there is another location which better suits you, we do have a transfer option that membership holders can take advantage of and move their memberships.

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Do I keep my original monthly membership rate when I resume tanning after a Freeze?

Yes, your monthly membership rate is guaranteed after reactivating your account.

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Do your Tanners Club Memberships have commitments?

Our Tanners Club Memberships have no commitment which is perfect for those looking for a short or long term stay, all while taking advantage of the savings. You have the option of freezing, cancelling or continuing your membership without obligation and at any time.

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Help! I’m moving, but I don’t want to cancel. What are my options?

Take advantage of our transfer option! You can find a list of our locations on the Locations tab of our website. Search through the list and map out which salon best suits you. You can then head in store to either the location you’re leaving, or the location you want to transfer to and fill out a quick form. You can then start tanning at your new location immediately and we’ll take care of the rest.

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How can I make sure I don’t turn orange when getting a spray tan?

Keep your skin moisturized. Dry skin will give you an unnatural hue as dry dead skin appears darker than hydrated, moisturized skin. Secondly, if you have a choice of spray colour for your session, don’t choose a color that is too dark or may look unnatural with your skin tone. While most sprays use combination of DHA and erythrulose for skin bronzing, over darkening may result in an undesired hue. Lastly, don’t spray too often. We suggest spraying no more than once a week. If spraying more often, your skin is absorbing more solution and overdoing it can give an appearance of an orange glow. If you need a touch up, our salons carry take home sunless sprays that can be purchased and used when needed.

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How do I cancel my membership?

We’d hate to see you go, but understand that at times, it’s unavoidable. Simply visit your location and we’ll have you fill out a cancellation form. You will receive a carbon copy of this cancellation form, along with a receipt for your records. The form will have your last payment date so you know when your services will expire.

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How do I change the account that my membership is being billed to?

The account can be changed by visiting your local salon.

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How do I increase the life of my tan?

Your tan will fade eventually regardless of the measures you take to prolong it however, putting your skin in the best hydrated shape you can will help your tan look its best as long as possible. We suggest using a body wash instead of harsh bar soaps when you shower. Body wash and shower gel’s will retain moisture in your skin as they have a lower pH level and won’t remove protective oils. Once out of the shower, use a moisturizer to re-hydrate your skin and leave it supple and soft. Also remember, when shaving you are removing not only hair but a layer of dead skin cells which may also affect the life of your tan. Many find it tough to keep a tan on their legs and this is one of the contributors to that.

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How do I know what my skin type is?

Skin types are categorized into six groups:

For more information, or to find out what your skin type is, take an online quiz at...

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How do I prepare for my spray tan?

We suggest shower/shaving a couple hours before your sunless session. Exfoliate your skin in the shower so that your skin is smooth and moisturized. You will have a more even result by doing this. Wear dark, loose clothing. You may see some of the bronzer transfer to your clothes post spray. Ask for any skin prep/anti-aging/hydrating add on if available with your sunless session. These add ons work to prepare your skin and create the best canvas to be sprayed with, creating an even colour and eliminate any sunless odour. Use the barrier cream to rub on your hands, fingernails and toe nails.

After your sunless session, use the fan in the unit or the room to ensure you’re completely dry. Then, go to the washroom and wash your hands. DHA will appear darker in areas of dry skin and creases (such as knuckles and wrist area). Wait at least 6 hours before showering or engaging in any activities that will cause you to sweat in order to give the solution time to develop. When showering for the first time post spray, use shower gel and a loofah instead of bar soap as it will not be as harsh on your skin and your spray will fade evenly.

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How does a spray tan work?

Our sunless booths contain solutions that mainly use Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as its active ingredient.

DHA is a colorless sugar naturally derived from sugarcane that interacts with the dead cells located in the epidermis (outer most) layer of our skin. As the solution interacts with dead skin cells, a color change occurs. This change usually lasts about four to seven days post application.

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How does your skin tan?

Whether you tan outdoors under the sun or indoors in a professional tanning facility, the tanning process is the same. This natural process takes place when your outer layer of skin, the epidermis, is exposed to ultraviolet light. Within the epidermis, we have cells called melanocytes which contain melanin. When exposed to UVB light, melanocytes produce melanin which is then absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to UVA light, this melanin darkens. This darkening is your skin’s natural way of protecting itself from sunburn.

Your tan will begin to fade because cells in the epidermis are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward toward the surface of your skin, where they are sloughed off in a 30 day cycle. As your skin produces these new cells, the cells filled with melanin die off which is why you’ll see the colour of your tan fade.

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How long does a spray tan last?

For the majority of people, you’ll find a spray tan will last anywhere from 4-7 days and in some as long as 10 days. Factors that influence how long a spray will last is how often you shower, the products you use to cleanse and how often you shave.

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How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions?

It is recommended that tanners wait at least 24 hours between tanning sessions. We suggest 24-48 hours.

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How old do I have to be to tan?

We require our tanners to be eighteen or older to use UV services in our locations. Although there is no law in Ontario prohibiting teens younger than this age from tanning indoors, there are some city bylaws in Oakville and Peel for example, prohibiting the use of UV tanning to those under this age. As a company, we have imposed a self ban of UV services to those teens under the age of 18. You will be required to show government issued ID on your first session if you appear under the age of 25. Teens 16 and 17 years old can use our sunless services without parental permission but will also be required to show ID. Unfortunately, teens 15 and younger are prohibited from use of our services at this time.

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I get white spots that won't tan. What are they?

My legs and face have problems tanning. Help!
The skin on our legs is thicker than other parts of our body which make it more difficult for UV light to penetrate and produce melanin. There is also less blood flow in this area as it does not have as much fatty tissue in this area (think shins) and is part of the lower extremity of our body. These factors all contribute to how poorly your legs can tan. To top it all off, women shave their legs frequently and in doing so, remove not only unwanted hair, but a top layer of dead skin cells leaving fresh un-tanned cells visible.

When trying to tan our face, consider the sensitivity of our facial skin and the products we use on it daily. We wash our face on average twice a day and women wear makeup which clogs your pores and will prevent proper absorption of UV light if not washed off. Some medications may also affect the way your skin tans. All our beds contain separate facial bulbs specifically designed to tan your facial skin as well as specifically designed facial tanning lotion using hypoallergenic ingredients.

I get white spots that won't tan. What are they?
There are many reasons for white spots. The following are some of the more commonly known reasons for white spots and what can be done to even out the color of the skin:

Vitiligo: These are irregularly shaped white patches of skin caused by either hormonal imbalances or autoimmune disorders. The melanocyte cells in the affected area are beginning to degenerate and die off. Doctors often use a lotion based form of psoralen (an extremely photosensitizing agent) and intentionally overexpose the affected areas to second-degree burns. This in effect, reactivates dormant melanocyte cells into producing melanin again.

Tinea Versicolor: This microscopic fungus flakes off of the scalp on to the upper body primarily, just like dandruff, but it is so small that it remains unnoticed until a person starts to tan. Home remedies for these problem spots include dandruff or dry scalp shampoos. These extra strength products carry a special ingredient that is very effective at removing these white spots over time.

Pressure points: Skin needs three things in order to help it tan: UVA, UVB, and oxygen. No oxygen, no tanning occurs. In the initial stages of tanning, oxygen comes from the bloodstream underneath the skin. The pressure created on certain spots of the body from lying on the acrylic sheet constricts blood flow. That means little or no oxygen, and little or no tanning. By the way, this kind of white spot can happen to anyone that lies still on the acrylic sheet. The remedy? Adjust your position when tanning by raising your arms over your head or bending one of your legs for a period of time. New technology in bed acrylics help with this problem by creating a more ergonomic base.

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I’m not going to tan for a period of time. Can I put my payments on hold?

Absolutely! Take advantage of our freeze option which allows you to put your membership on freeze status for as long as you like, securing your current membership pricing. Your account will be charged a nominal monthly fee and you can resume your full membership at any time. Simply visit your location to fill out our freeze form.

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Is tanning natural?

Yes. Tanning is our body’s natural defense against sunburn and is designed for protection. People of all different cultures and skin types produce different amounts of melanin and when thinking about countries found closer to the equator, natives to that area naturally have darker pigmented skin colour. Anti-tanning lobbyists falsely refer to this process as “damage” to your skin, but calling a tan “damage” is a dangerous oversimplification.

Take the example of calling exercise and using weights “damage to your muscles.” When you exercise, you are actually tearing tiny muscle fibers in your body. At first glance, when examined closely, this tearing could be called “damage.” When looking at the bigger picture, this is your body’s natural way of building stronger muscle tissue. Therefore, calling exercise “damaging” to muscles is misleading. The same can be said of sun exposure: your body is designed to repair any damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light exposure. Developing a tan is your body’s natural way of protecting against the dangers of sunburn and further exposure.

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My legs and face have problems tanning. Help!

The skin on our legs is thicker than other parts of our body which make it more difficult for UV light to penetrate and produce melanin. There is also less blood flow in this area as it does not have as much fatty tissue in this area (think shins) and is part of the lower extremity of our body. These factors all contribute to how poorly your legs can tan. To top it all off, women shave their legs frequently and in doing so, remove not only unwanted hair, but a top layer of dead skin cells leaving fresh un-tanned cells visible.

When trying to tan our face, consider the sensitivity of our facial skin and the products we use on it daily. We wash our face on average twice a day and women wear makeup which clogs your pores and will prevent proper absorption of UV light if not washed off. Some medications may also affect the way your skin tans. All our beds contain separate facial bulbs specifically designed to tan your facial skin as well as specifically designed facial tanning lotion using hypoallergenic ingredients.

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What day does automatic billing take place?

We provide two options to our clients to take advantage of. We can withdraw payments on either the 1st or the 15th of each month.

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What if I can’t make it in store to cancel? Can I send an email or call in?

If you can’t make it in store, we ask that you send a letter via Expresspost, or any other tracking parcel service. We understand this may sound archaic however; cancellations that have a form of tracking are beneficial to both parties in the event of discrepancies. With that being said, we cannot accept cancellations via email, phone or fax. Should you wish to take advantage of this form of cancellation we’ve listed our Corporate Office’s address below. Please include full name, location address and a contact number where we can reach you in the event of account discrepancies.

Sol’exotica Tanning Spa
(Mailing Address Only)
27 Legend Court
PO Box 10067
Ancaster, ON
L8K 1P2

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What is a sunburn?

Sunburn is completely different from a tan and will not ‘turn into a tan’ as many believe. As Smarttan.com says ‘The red color is increased blood flow, sent to the skin to help your body repair the damage done from overexposure.

A smart tan naturally enhances protection against sunburn. Melanin literally enshrouds skin cells protecting them from getting too much UV exposure. Additionally, as the skin tans the outer layer thickens, which also is nature’s design to make tan skin naturally more resistant to sunburn.’ This is why it is possible to have a tan, yet have a visible sunburn on top. Once your body is successful in repairing the damage of overexposure, you will see the tan that was produced underneath.

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What is Red Light Therapy?

Collagen is the most important structural fibrous protein in the skin. It keeps our skin youthful and smooth. It is found under the dermis layer of skin providing support and firmness to it. As we age our collagen diminishes, causing loss of tissue firmness which ultimately results in sagging skin and wrinkles.

Our Red Light Therapy booth by That’so uses 633nm light (not UV light) to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, essentially stimulating collagen production in your skin to restore a youthful appearance. Other benefits to your skin from use of this booth is a reduction in cellulite, stretch marks, localized fat tissue, acne and dry skin.

Collagen Activator 633nm are specific tubes, conceived to emit a very narrow frequency band. Activator 633nm tubes work without temperature increases and without damaging tissue (you will not see your skin tan using this type of light). Emitted light is red, athermic and suitable for all kinds of skin. The treatment is non-invasive. Anticell/Slimming/Toning treatment sessions are a total length of 15 minutes, with higher and lower alternated frequencies. Beauty Vibro Plate Plus works at low hertz, improving microcirculation and enhancing the effect of photo-stimulation.

For more information on responsible tanning visit www.tanresponsibly.ca, www.smarttan.com or www.tancanada.org.

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What should be done to protect a tattoo during tanning?

Persons with fresh tattoos have had chemicals injected into their skin that can make that local area very sensitive to UV exposure while the tattoo is still healing. So absolutely don’t allow that area to tan. Either cover it up completely if possible, or don’t tan at all until the skin has healed. After the skin has healed (approximately 3 weeks), do continue to use moderate protective measures. At this point, the chemicals have lost any ability to photosensitize. The tattoo though, will become dull with exposure to UV, whether that UV comes from indoors or outdoors. So preserve those tattoos by using lip balm, sunscreen or a tattoo protector.

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Who can I speak with to resolve my billing issue or a customer service complaint?

We are happy to help you! Call one of our customer service representatives by contacting our office at 905.930.8800 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, or via email at info@solexotica.com. We endeavor to return messages or emails within 48 hours.

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Why do I feel better when I tan?

Of course when you look good, you feel great! Doctors and experts have known for years that there are many different benefits to tanning. Something as simple as sunlight breaking through the clouds lifts our spirits. Some people are vulnerable to a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern and is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). It is a condition that affects 2% of Canada’s population during the fall and winter months. Approximately 15% of the Canadian’s will experience less severe symptoms of this disorder and can be characterized as the ‘winter blah’s.’ Its symptoms are mood swings, headaches, increased appetite and increased sleeping. For years doctors have treated this condition with daily phototherapy with full-spectrum light exposure, or ultraviolet light on the skin which has shown positive results.

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Why do I have to wear eye goggles?

It is important to emphasize the need and reason why tanners should wear eyewear. Ultraviolet light penetrates all the way to the back of the eyes, and does permanent damage. The damage takes years to start showing and leads to loss of color perception or bad night vision, or even macular degeneration (blindness in all but peripheral vision). Immediate effects tanners can find is dry eyes, especially if you are a contact lens wearer. Eyelids are not effective at blocking out UV light. A simple test: close your eyes and look toward the available lighting. Now move your hand in front of your closed eyes. Did you notice a shadow passing in front of your eyes? If you did, that’s showing you that the available lighting is still getting through your eyelids and reaching the back of your eyes.

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Why is tanning lotion so important? Wont I tan without it?

Why is tanning lotion so important? Won’t I tan without it?
Tanning lotion manufacturers have long been involved in the skin care industry and consistently create lotions that prepare, hydrate, boost and prolong your tan. The ingredients that you find in tanning salon grade lotions are ingredients you’ll find in many skin care ingredients you purchase in stores. They are specifically formulated to maximize the results of your visit and the state of your skin. They will provide the moisture, vitamins and nutrients your skin craves and requires to achieve the best tan possible while also keeping your skin hydrated under the UV light. You will tan without using a lotion however, the state you’ll find your skin in is another question. Tanning indoors or outdoors without feeding your skin the essential moisture and vitamins it demands will leave it dry, itchy and potentially overexposed. At the very least, using a quality lotion will set the stage for a proper slate to get an even tan, instead of a dry and uneven slate that will create a ‘surface’ tan that does not last.

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Will I have to pay a start-up fee when I resume tanning after a Freeze?

There are no additional fees to resume your tanning. Your membership will be reactivated based upon your monthly membership payment minus the freeze fee that has already been withdrawn from your account. You can make this monthly payment in store upon re-activating your account.

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Celebrating 25 years of tanning excellence

Proudly serving Toronto, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Ancaster & Aurora since 1996.