iTan Customers Are Achieving a Summer Glow Without the Sun

State-of-the-art Master Sun 360 solarium.

By Tiffany Watkins

iTan Solariums opened its doors April 17 in Ramona and has been bronzing and pampering its customers ever since.

Aimee Cochran, primary owner of iTan Solariums, said she and her husband, Doug Cochran, own the store together, and she has always wanted to own her own business. Before they opened the store, she was driving down the hill to do her tanning in the high-pressure beds and the Mystic Sunless tan booth. She realized there was a need for this type of tanning salon in Ramona.

"iTan's modern tanning solarium offers first-class luxury tanning, state-of-the-art European equipment, and exceptional customer service with knowledgeable Smart Tan-certified tanning consultants and sophisticated style in a pampered relaxing atmosphere," Aimee Cochran said.“All beds range from eight minutes to 15 minutes."

iTan has a large selection of equipment in different levels ranging from beginner, intermediate and advanced. She said they offer two high-pressure pampering bronzing beds for advanced tanners. These beds offer air-conditioning and facial bronzers that clients can control the settings. The effects of these beds last longer and are much gentler on the skin because of the low amount of UVB ray, which is the reddening and pinking ray, she said.

iTan staff left to right: Jenny Ellithorpe; Aimee Cochran, owner; and Jessica Dufresne. Photos by Tiffany Watkins

Cochran also said that iTan is the first salon in the San Diego County to feature the Master Sun 360 made by Sportarredo.

"There are only four in all of the United States," she said.

Cochran adds that there are two mid-level intermediate beds with advance cooling systems, one of which is a high-end eight minute standup bed made by Soltron.There are also four entry level beds made by Sun Ergoline.

In addition, iTan is the only salon in Ramona to carry the sunless UV-free Mystic Spray Tan booth that is designed to deliver an even, sunless tan based on the individual's skin type and desired color. The Mystic has three tanning level options on the aloe vera-enriched, sunless tanning solution that covers the entire body, resulting in a quick natural looking tan that takes less than one minute.

"You can use the Mystic in conjunction with the beds.We call it double-dipping, that's when you tan in the bed and then go to the Mystic," said Cochran. "It looks like you just got back from vacation."

Barbara Peterson, an iTan customer, said she was white when she first went to iTan and throughout her tanning, she never burned. She started tanning in the beds at four minutes and now she's up to 14 minutes and has a nice golden glow.

"We want our clients to feel pampered," Cochran said. "The staff cleans the tanning beds before and after each client."

iTan is a Smart Tan-certified salon that ensures the safety and cleanliness of the salon.

iTan also offers a huge array of indoor tanning lotions, accelerators, bronzers and after care moisturizers that will help make your tan look its best and last longer.

There are monthly memberships offered for $19.99.

iTan Solariums is located at 1668 Main St, Suite A. The telephone number is (760) 789-0020.The salon is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.