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Harley street cosmetic surgeon Jan Stanek recommends applying Jane Iredale mineral make-up to calm the skin.

If you've been following the Channel 4 series Risking It All about entrepreneurs starting new businesses, you will have seen this week's programme on Aveda concept salon.

Face It has won the first UK Salon of the Year award from South African skincare brand Environ. The salon, in North London, sold more Environ products than any of the 350-plus stockists.

Shine 2004 - the UK's only event dedicated to indoor tanning took place at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. The brainchild of The Sunbed Association's (TSA) media committee, the two-day event was set up to be the annual platform for the organisation's policy and development plans. The show had two elements: a comprehensive lecture programme and advanced training seminar, plus an exhibition which featured some of the biggest brand names in the indoor tanning industry. It was also an opportunity for operators to exchange views and ideas, as well as to hear how the industry works in other countries.

Held across both days, the seminar programme boasted a list of experts and influential figures from the tanning industry - from both the UK and abroad.

Dr Michael Holick, professor of medicine, dermatology, physiology and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine in the US, was the keynote speaker, taking as his theme the importance of the sun and UV energy to well-being. Copies of his new book, The UVAdvantage, were snapped up by delegates, keen to gain greater insight into his research, which shows that lack of UV exposure is causing health problems in adults and children including rickets, high blood pressure, lower levels of bone density, and a number of internal cancers.

Same issues

In another session, the president of the American Indoor Tanning Association (ITA), Dan Humiston, said the US was facing many of the same issues as the UK; while Kevin Melnyk, who owns The Professional Tanning Studio with outlets in Middlesex and Surrey, spoke on how to run a successful tanning business. Meanwhile, Richard Hobday explored the benefits of sunlight, as outlined in his book, The Healing Sun, while the chairman of TSA's media committee and MD of Ergoline UK, Gary Lipman, evaluated the relationship between sunbeds and the media that shaped - and, in some cases, rocked - the industry in 2003.

TSA deputy chairman and MD of sunbed manufacturer and distributor Jomi UK, Steen Stenberg, explained the importance of safety in his salon during his talk, while TSA secretary Kathy Banks updated delegates on issues surrounding regulation - or not - of the UK industry.

TSA's media committee was on hand to answer delegates' questions during a lively question-and-answer session. The seminar programme ended with a two-hour training seminar taken by TSA director of training Anita Clarkson, who underlined the importance of educating and training staff, as well as emphasising TSA's continued commitment to this.

Ideal platform

A well-attended exhibition was held alongside the lecture programme, giving manufacturers and distributors from all sections of the industry the ideal platform to showcase what's new in the indoor tanning market, alongside established favourites.

There were a wide and diverse selection of horizontal sunbeds, vertical units, and spray-on tan booths, displayed alongside an extensive array of tanning accessories and extras a tanning business needs. The exhibition's popularity confirmed to manufacturers, distributors and visitors alike how much the industry has grown and matured in recent years.

However, it was not all work and no play: the gala dinner and dance, held at The Living Room, in Birmingham city centre, gave those who wanted to let their hair down a chance to have some fun.

All the elements at Shine 2004 came together to provide delegates and day visitors with an opportunity to keep abreast of what's happening in the UK indoor tanning market. And, according to the organisers, Shine's success confirmed the indoor tanning industry has both grown and matured to a level where it can justify and sustain its own event. Shine 2005 will again be held at the ICC - details will be released later this year.