Tanning salons like Sun Tan City increasingly advertise "red light therapy" alongside their tanning services — which creates a lot of confusion. Does it tan you? Is it the same as the UV beds? Is the salon version any good? Let's clear it all up honestly.
Red light therapy does not tan you. It uses red and near-infrared light with no UV. Tanning requires UV radiation. They are fundamentally different services that happen to be offered under the same roof. If a "red light" bed gives you color, it's using UV — that's tanning, not red light therapy.
Why Tanning Salons Offer Red Light Therapy
As demand for red light therapy grew, tanning salons — which already have the bed-style equipment and a beauty-focused clientele — added red light beds as a UV-free wellness service. Chains like Sun Tan City market these for skin appearance, recovery, and general wellness, deliberately separate from their UV tanning beds. It's a natural business fit, but it means you need to be clear about which service you're booking.
Red Light Therapy vs UV Tanning — The Key Differences
| Red Light Therapy | UV Tanning Bed | |
|---|---|---|
| Light used | Red / near-infrared | Ultraviolet (UV) |
| Tans skin? | No | Yes |
| Skin cancer risk | Not associated | Increased risk |
| Main goal | Skin, recovery, wellness | Cosmetic tan |
Are Salon Red Light Beds Any Good?
They can be, but it varies. Some salons use quality, purpose-built red light beds; others use lower-output equipment. Before committing:
- Ask what wavelengths the bed uses (you want red around 630–660 nm and/or near-infrared around 830–850 nm).
- Ask about session length and recommended frequency.
- Confirm it's genuinely UV-free red light therapy, not a hybrid or a UV bed mislabeled.
- Check eye protection is provided/recommended.
Salon sessions or memberships are convenient and low-commitment to start, but they add up. If you plan to use red light therapy regularly (several times a week, ongoing), a quality at-home device usually pays for itself versus months of salon visits — and it's far more convenient.
Bottom Line
Red light therapy at a tanning salon like Sun Tan City is a legitimate, UV-free service that can be a convenient way to try it — just don't confuse it with tanning, and ask about the bed's specs. If you find you love it and use it often, an at-home device is usually the better long-term value.
For the deeper comparison, see red light therapy vs tanning beds and beds vs panels.