Tan Tropic - Tanning and Laser Clinic

I visited these sun beds with my husband roughly two weeks ago. We already had a tan, having been on holiday and had also used a different tanning studio in a different part of the country whilst staying with family the week before. We have also used sun beds regularly in the past. Our purpose for using the sun beds at tan tropic was to maintain or "top up" our tans ahead of a wedding in a few weeks time. As tan tropic is located in a convenient location near egham station we had hoped to use them a few times in the upcoming weeks to keep our tan.

Sadly we had one of the worst and most painful experiences of sunbeds we've ever had. On arrival at the salon we were asked our first names only, (in contrast to other salons where we have had to fill in a new member questionnaire where we answer some questions about our skin type and share some personal info I.e. Date of birth). We were informed the beds had new bulbs and to go on for two minutes less than usual, which we did (meaning we each went on for 7 minutes). The beds were incredibly hot and I turned mine down as low as I could, however a few hours after getting home from the sun beds we both started to burn and by bed time our skin on the back of our bodies was scorched and remained that way for over a week. We both had to take maximum strength ibuprofen every four hours for the first five days and apply Aloe Vera and Calamine lotion regularly for the same duration. I was also unable to wear a bra for a week because of the pain and we also could not sleep on our backs for a week. Interestingly we only burned on our backs and our front halves of our body were not affected.

I informed the salon about this three days after we burnt, with the intention of ensuring that they were aware that there was a problem with their beds, I received an apology from the receptionist who explained they had new staff and reassurance that the salon manager would call me to discuss this further. I received a missed call from the salon later that day but no message was left and although I have tried returning the call on three occasions, I have not heard back from the manager, now a week later.

Having spoken to friends and family and shown them the damage caused to our backs, they have advised us to share our experience with others brought this forum, to advise caution to those using these beds, given that we have not heard back from the salon about how they will safeguard others from this happening to them.

Sorry for the lengthy explanation, hope others find this helpful to know though. We will be looking for an alternative tanning salon for future use.

Wow the new beds in this salon are amazing and also the new look of the salon is very inviting. I have used this place for years and it is the best in the area. The staff are helpful and friendly. Every customer i have spoken to have said this tanning salon beats every other salon around! I am more than happy to pamper myself here and indulge! One happy customer.

I drive all the way from Eastbourne to go to this lovely shop. The staff and the facilities are brilliant. They have the best beds in Surrey. See you all soon at Tan Tropic. Also the beds are amazing. 😁👍

I've been coming here for the last 6 months and iv never had an issue, lovely staff always helpful and knowledgeable. The changing room is clean and the value for money is excellent. Rest assured I will keep coming back. Cant wait to be ready for Marbs!

**UPDATE** I reported this shop to trading standards due to the degree of burns I received. They visited the premises and discovered that ALL THREE of the beds were at least double the legal limit, and one was over 3 times the legal limit for strength of bulbs! As far as I know, the bulbs have not been changed yet and they have been given a time limit to do so based on ‘them apparently struggling to source legal bulbs’. I struggle to believe this and suspect it is in fact just cheaper for them to get fraudulent bulbs. AVOID AT ALL COSTS OR PAY WITH YOUR HEALTH.

I was reluctant to write a review as i thought maybe this experience was singled to me, but having read similar reviews, I feel it is important that I add my experience.

Having worked in a sunbed shop for several years, I am used to using beds for 20 minutes at a time. I also recently returned from living in Dubai for over two years so my skin is not afraid of the sun.

I visited Tan Tropic 2 days ago and upon entering, told the receptionist that i had never visited this salon before. She simply requested my name (no date of birth or health background) and directed me to the sunbed, for which I requested 15 minutes.

Later that evening, the entire back of my body was completely scalded, as well as the front of my body up to my waist. My arms, chest, face and shoulder area are pure white and look like they never saw the sun.

Initially i thought it was temporary and would pass by the morning but alas I am still unable to get dressed or sleep. This is the most extreme sunburn i've ever experienced. I've bathed in apple cider vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, drenched my body in which hazel, aloe vera and after sun. You name it, i've tried it - i guess you can now imagine the pain it has caused. This is all in addition to the ibuprofen i've been taking every 4-6 hours.

Based on the below reviews, it seems this is a common issue. Therefore, why was i not advised to do a shorter time? Even if the bulbs are unusually hot, this doesn't explain why the top third of my body is untouched. I'm guessing bulbs aren't being replaced collectively and rather replaced as and when?

It's a shame as i like to support local businesses and was planning to visit here weekly now that i am working in the area but it seems that this wasn't a one off.

I've added some pictures below - unfortunately wouldn't be appropriate for me to post the rear of my body where i am most burnt.

22 5 star reviews in a week but a total of 38 in 4 years (all made by new accounts with no other reviews)? Bit suspicious..

The most honest reviews appear to be the 1 star ones - i particularly like the one about "the leather handbag who masquerades as a shop keeper in this place being aggressive and rude."

Never a more honest word spoken.

Edit-

With reference to my name not being in the system, based on other reviews below, it appears you don’t have a system? I don’t remember my ID being requested or any form given to me to complete. I’d suggest there’s a problem with your ‘system’.

Very disappointed! I paid £20 pounds to have 20 minutes in sun bed . I left there and I waited couple of days to se if I had any tun and nothing. I called them to discuss the situation, the very cold receptionist started to argue several ways that I would have to do a lot of sessions to get a tan, but she got all embarrassed when I told her that I've been a customer there for years and that I was used to doing it 20 minutes and come out pretty tan. She said that the sun bed could be cold and that no one had used it that day, so??? anyway… she was pushing lying reasons not to make amends. In other words, I paid 20 pounds to get no results. They are very bad at customer service.

Sun beds are filthy have mould inside the air vent receptionist just sits there on her phone not cleaning the beds.