by Carrie Pestronk
No one, and I mean no one, looks good with Casper the Friendly Ghost white legs. So if you are ready to bust out those short mini skirts, itty-bitty bikinis or those tiny tees, it is time for a visit to Solar Salon. The most innovative salon for tanning, Solar Salon has taken the fake-bake to a place closest to the sun.
Enter the second floor salon and you already feel the winter blues melting away. Flat screen TVs, a tiled backsplash wall and a serene spa feel transport you in thought to a beach far from the Upper East Side. The automated check-in, complete with a Star-Trek style fingerprint system lets you DIY. The computerized system walks you through a few short questions to assess your tanning needs, measuring your skin type on a scale of 1-6 and analyzing your input. The proprietary software program will calculate skin type and deduce tanning time as well as keep track of your tanning history and progress. No human error, this spot-on specific program is accurate down to the half point. Dynamic and interactive, the computerized system will send you to one of the 5 beds or 3 stand-up machines. But if one-on-one human contact is more your speed there is always a trained professional ready and waiting to answer any questions.
Solar Salon uses the most state of the art tanning machines. Dr. Mueller’s Sungate Model is among the best on the market, providing the right combination of UVA and UVB rays for the most responsible, smartest and efficient tan. The lamps are constantly monitored and changed frequently; the right maintenance ensures the best tanning results. The beds and booths are comfortable and private and each comes with headphones, which allows you listen to any XM station you would like.
“I am passionate about updating the world of tanning,” says owner Alex Moffat. “At Solar Salon we are dedicated to making sure our customers receive the best tan with the least chance of burning all while doing so in a relaxing, modern environment with the best products available.” Unlike most tanning salons in the city, Solar Salon provides, free of charge, tanning lotion for every customer. “The computer will even tell you which lotion you should be using,” Moffat says. “We have 5 different pre-tan lotions which take into account what type of skin you have as well as where in the tanning process you are. We also offer, for sale, an after tan lotion called Longevity which is only sold at Solar Salon and really helps to make a tan last.”
Realizing New Yorkers are quite busy, Solar Salon’s hours of operation take into account their clients’ erratic days. Open from 8am-11pm on weekdays and 9am-9pm on weekends, the packages that are available allow you to take advantage of off-peak hours if your schedule permits. There is a package that is right for every type of tanner. Moffat has transformed the world of tanning to something friendlier and certainly more understandable. “Our packages never expire, we don’t sell upgrades – everyone gets the top of the line machine so there are no up-charges you see at most salons, and you can transfer sessions to your friends. When someone comes here they trust their skin to us. We take that very seriously and provide the best products and best service,” Moffat explains.
With Memorial Day right around the corner, it is time to consider your first weekend at the beach. Sweat not! A few visits to Solar Salon you will be sporting the golden hue of summer. Of course after Memorial Day fashion dictates you can wear white, but that edict was intended to be for clothing - not for skin.