FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions
these are the FAQ's prepared by Summer Tan    -not the manufacturer

Your website uses the term "sunlamp" and "tanning lamp", are they different?

They are the same. Technically, the correct term is "sunlamp", but many people call them tanning lamps so we use both terms. All of the sunlamps we offer can also be referred to as Ultraviolet Lamps/Lights. The various Ultraviolet Lamps we offer have many different applications and benefits including:  Tanning, Vitamin D Production, Psoriasis (& other skin issues) Treatment.

I don't tan in the sunlight, will a tanning lamp or canopy work for me?

No, if you do not tan from the sun's UV rays, you will not tan from a sunlamp or canopy. 

If you DO tan from the sun's UV rays then you will also tan from our sunlamps or canopies. 

Can I tan my whole body with a sunlamp - tanning lamp?

Our sunlamps are 'sectional tanners' and are not designed for single session full body tanning. Due to their size, they can only tan a section of your body at a time. That said, it is possible to tan the whole body, but it would take multiple sessions to do so .

If I am fair-skinned, can I tan at all?

Yes, but most fair-skinned people burn their way to a tan - which puts them at a much greater risk for skin cancer. Again, you can use your outdoor tanning experience to determine how effective a sunlamp or canopy will be.

If you have difficulty tanning or wish to avoid UV rays, then try our Au Courant sunless tanning products.

RETURN POLICY - Can I return my sunlamp after using it?

No, we do not accept used sunlamps back into stock. Why? - Unfortunately some unscrupulous customers have bought their sunlamp, used it to get a nice tan for the prom, wedding, vacation, or just getting ready for summer, then try to return the sunlamp after getting a tan. As an example, every June when summer arrives and the sun is out, a few customers ask to return their sunlamps they bought in March-May to get ready for summer, and now that the summer sun is out they don't need it and prefer to try and get a refund.

Why we are confident and comfortable with our NO RETURN policy:

- These sunlamps are proven effective, fact. It's simple science of Ultraviolet rays.
- They are well built units by Sperti, manufacturer of sunlamps for over 50 years.
- We DO guarantee you will receive a new and functioning unit, and we cover any damage caused during shipping to the customer.
- They come with a manufacturers six month warranty, so if anything is wrong with the unit it is replaced or repaired.
- We very clearly list all details, specifications, and several photo's of our sunlamps so customers know exactly what they are buying.
- These sunlamps have an excellent reputation in the tanning industry.

Customers requesting refunds is very rare. Other than those unscrupulous customers who get a nice tan and then try to return the sunlamp, customers requesting refunds usually have only one of two issues, both based on ignorance - not the sunlamps themselves:

1) Those who cannot tan from the sun's UV rays that mistakenly believe that a sunlamps UV rays will tan them. If you cannot tan from the sun's UV rays, you cannot tan from a sunlamps UV rays. Or, 2) Customers who plug the sunlamp in and expect to get a full body tan as if they just purchased a $3,000 tanning bed. These are sectional tanners - not full body tanners.

Is tanning safe?

There are of course risks associated with overexposure such as premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. The decision to tan, either indoors or outdoors, is a decision that each person should make after educating themselves on the benefits and risks of tanning. 

Both the sun & tanning lamps produce ultraviolet radiation. As with natural sunlight overexposure can cause sunburn. If you do not use UV blocking protective eyewear, eye damage can occur. Repeated exposure from the sun or sunlamps may cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Medications or cosmetics applied to the skin may increase your sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Consult a physician before using a tanning lamp if you believe your are especially sensitive to sunlight. Protective eyewear is provided with every sunlamp.

Options:   To provide options to our tanning lamps, whether as a substitute or to compliment your natural tan, we offer high quality Au Courant sunless tanning products. 

What is the UVA vs. UVB output from the Sperti Sunlamps?

Reported output of UV rays is approximately UVA 70-75% +/-, and UVB is approximately 25-30% +/-. These percentages may fluctuate and are reported estimates only. Individuals doing science class studies or other UV scientific research may contact the manufacturer for more 'scientific' information. Below you'll find readings from a spectral chart info for the Sperti sunlamps.

UVA=320-420 nm, UVB=280-320 nm, UVC=180-280 nm
UVC output is essentially zero from the Sperti lamps.

Can these sunlamps be used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis?

Yes, UV sunlamps are often recommend to treat these skin conditions. Our non-prescription sunlamps are effective but we also offer a prescription psoriasis sunlamp called the "PH-36". You can click on the PH-36 link at the top of the page to learn more. Generally speaking, if your psoriasis improves in the summer when exposed to the sun's UV rays, then our sunlamps UV rays will also help clear up your psoriasis. Consult your physician or dermatologist.

Do these sunlamps help generate Vitamin D in my body?

Yes, these are effective sunlamps for Vitamin D production. Your body will naturally generate Vitamin D when exposed to UV light. Our units are particularly effective because of their relatively high UVB output.

How does your Warranty process work?

Each Sunlamp/Ultraviolet Lamp has it's own individual warranty that may be different for the various models. See the units product info page for details.

We guarantee safe & undamaged delivery. If the unit is damaged during shipping we either replace or repair the unit, usually we just replace it. If it arrives damaged it is returned to the factory at OUR EXPENSE.

LATER - after you have received the unit, and something happens later:  the warranty is for any product defect. If the unit stops working or is malfunctioning due to a defect with the unit at a later time (after delivery) we will pay to have the unit inspected and repaired (or replaced if necessary) at our expense. You will be responsible for packaging the unit and mailing it to the Kentucky factory, but we will pay for the repair or replacement and will also pay to have it reshipped back to you. -When we use the term "product defect" we are not playing word games or 'fine print' tricks, basically what we mean is that if the unit is not functioning - and the cause of this problem is not something that you have done to it (dropped it, threw it down the stairs, improperly stored it, plugged it into a 220 volt outlet, used it in a steam shower or sauna or other humid environment, etc.) then we will take care of it. If you have caused the damage, we will still assist you with getting it repaired, but at your expense. We will be fair, but again, if it is something like you storing the unit in an outdoor shed or using it in the sauna, or your dog knocking over the floor stand, we can't cover that type of thing. A factory inspection can always determine the cause.

With all of the above said, these sunlamps/UV lamps are very well built, made in the USA, and will last for many years, so the Warranty issue very rarely arises.

A few Do's & Dont's with your sunlamp:

- Do not use it in a sauna, steam shower, or other humidified space. It just not good for an electrical appliance like this.

- When not in use, like in the summer when you may not need to unit, properly store it away indoors. Don't put it out in the shed or garage.

- Never plug into a 220 volt outlet. These are regular 110/120 volt units, but we do ship many overseas where there is 220 volt power. You must use a step down transformer if you are overseas with your unit. A step down transformer is NOT a plug adapter, a transformer changes the electrical current to 110v, and an adapter does not. 220 volts with 'fry' your unit.

ALSO:  we can assist, but DO NOT WARRANTY units that are shipped overseas. There have been some problems with units shipped overseas such as using the wrong kind of transformer, using 'plug adapters' only - instead of a quality 1000 watt step down transformer. Again, any units used outside the USA and Canada DO NOT have a warranty, but we will assist you on a case-by-case basis to get your unit taken care of. The Standard warranty does not apply to any units shipped overseas. 2011 update:  some of our units now come with multi-voltage capability, they will run off a 110v and 220v power source. The FIJI and D/UV-F are two units that can be used in the US or in Europe without a transformer.

What if I want to increase the running time on my sunlamp - tanning lamp?

The sunlamps - tanning lamps have 10 minute timers. You can run it for up to 10 minutes before it will automatically turn off. If you want to add more time simply adjust the timer before it expires and turns off. The manufacturer does not recommend running the sunlamps for more that 20 minutes at a time, and you should not tan a particular section of your body for more than ten minutes at a time. The sunlamp then needs to cool for approximately 20 minutes before it will restart.

How do Au Courant Sunless Tanning Products Work?

The active ingredient is DHA. The DHA is absorbed into the epidermis of your skin, it interacts with the amino acids in your skin and produces a natural looking tan. Au Courant products also contain a variety of quality ingredients to aid in the process and to nourish your skin. The natural looking tan will fully develop in 3-5 hours.

Why do you only sell the Au Courant Sunless Tanning Products - Is Au Courant the Best?

In early 2001 when we decided to add Sunless Tanning products to our SummerTan.com website we purchased over a dozen different brands of Self Tanning products and over a two month period we tested them all. We found that the Au Courant line was by far the best. There is no scary orange color, smooth non-sticky textures, and no strange odors as you find with many other brands.

Knowing we could sell any of them, we obviously chose the best. Au Courant continues to research, improve & expand their product line so you can be assured you are buying a premium quality product.

Can I use my tanning lamp for other parts of my body other than my face? 

Yes - these sunlamps will tan any part of your body. Be cautious if tanning sensitive or covered areas (your 'private parts') not often exposed to sunlight or tanning lamps can burn easier than the rest of your body. Also, be caution to always keep the tanning lamp on a stable fire resistant surface. 

We sell a lot of tanning lamps to people who use them to eliminate their tan lines and want a  smooth  "tan all over" body.  

We sell sunlamps floor stands as well so you easily adjust the height & angle of the lamp so you can sit, lay, or stand in various tanning positions.

Skin Type and Sun Protection - Why do some people tan and others burn?

The reactions of our skin to sun, either burning or tanning, is based primarily on genetics, we inherit our ability to tan or burn. In general, fair-skinned people often burn and are rarely able to tan. Darker skins, with their increased melanin, have more natural protection, but nobody is immune to sun damage.

How quickly will I tan?

Every person is different, be patient and don't rush to tan quickly or you risk getting a sun burn. Start slowly and gradually increase your exposure over time.

Our tanning lamps are powerful, do not underestimate how quickly they may work so be cautious the first few times you use one so that you do not get a burn.

When used properly, the Sperti tanning lamp is far more concentrated to exposed skin than sitting out in the sun. 

Naturally when you receive your new tanning lamp your going to be anxious to turn it on and quickly get tan, but you need to go slowly and do it right.  Build your tan slowly and progressively over a few weeks.  

Reddening or sunburn is usually not visible until 4-8 hours after exposure, so do NOT wait until you feel sunburned.

Do I need to take extra precautions if I am taking any medications?

Photosensitization, an increased sensitivity to sun exposure, is a possible side effect of certain medications, including certain kinds of antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and antidepressants. Whether you are tanning outdoors or using a sunlamp you should always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding photosensitization related to any prescription medications.

What is the difference between UVA, UVB and UVC rays, and what are their dangers?

UV stands for Ultraviolet. The following describes the different kinds of UV rays:

UVA rays penetrate the skin deeply and are the primary cause of premature aging to the skin and contribute to causing skin cancer.

UVB rays damage the surface of the skin, causing sunburns. UVB rays can also cause skin cancer.

UVC rays are extremely powerful rays that are filtered out by the atmosphere.

Do I have to wear eye protection when using my indoor tanning lamp?

Yes, absolutely! The free protective goggles you receive with your tanning lamp provide 100% UV protection. Blindness or other serious eye problems can occur if you do not protect your eyes from the sun or sunlamps.

If you are tanning outdoors, take the time to learn about SPF lotions and choose one appropriate for your circumstances.  We also encourage you to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors.

All Sperti sunlamps will come with a manual which you must
read prior to using your tanning lamp.

ALL SPERTI SUNLAMPS ARE IN CONFORMITY WITH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR SUNLAMP PRODUCTS UNDER 21 CFR 1040.20

ALL SPERTI SUNLAMPS ARE UL LISTED