VIP Tanning & Wellness Oxford

The studio opened in 1995 and has been run for nearly three decades. The business describes itself as Oxford's top rated local tanning and wellness service, a self-description rather than an independent rating.

UV tanning is the foundation of the studio. It has high-pressure and VHR beds, and each bed has an intelliSun system with Basic, Mediterranean and Caribbean settings. Beds offer aromatherapy, air conditioning and a Bluetooth connection so clients can play their own music. Memberships start at $49.95 a month, and memberships and specials can be arranged in store or online.

For clients who prefer not to use UV, sunless spray tanning takes place in an automated VersaPro booth with three nozzles, a heated booth and heated spray, and eight shade levels. A pre-treatment and a post-treatment are included in each session. The business asks clients to shave and exfoliate the night before or the morning of, to skip lotions, oils, deodorant, perfume and makeup that day, and to wear loose, darker clothing.

The wellness menu covers several light and heat sessions. Poly Red Light Therapy and the Red Light Beauty Shaper are red light services; the Beauty Shaper uses 50 full body red light lamps and pairs them with vibration training, and the business calls it its most advanced red light unit. Red light sessions usually run about 8 to 10 minutes, and session pricing for these services is not listed on the site. The Cocoon Wellness Pod combines infrared dry heat, full body vibratory massage, chromo light therapy and salt air therapy. Halo Sauna + Salt Therapy combines infrared sauna heat, dry and heated salt therapy and red light, and optional add-ons include color light therapy, meditation audio and aromatherapy. The business says the salt used is pharmaceutical grade, and notes that it does not sell the Halo Sauna equipment it uses.

Clients can book online. Hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Clients are asked to arrive 15 minutes before closing, because equipment shuts off at the scheduled time. Eftpos, Visa, Mastercard and cash are accepted, and Afterpay is available on site. Before a red light session, clients are asked to shower and remove makeup, and red light sessions are best done with eyes closed, with sunglasses suggested for comfort. The business recommends at least 24 hours between red light treatments and avoiding red light for 48 hours before and after light-based hair removal. For the Cocoon Pod, the business advises waiting before showering afterward, as its effects can continue for one to two hours, and suggests one to three sessions a week for ongoing use. Clients with certain medical conditions, who are pregnant, or who take certain medications are advised to skip treatment and check with a doctor first.

The business says it adjusts UV session timing and intensity to each client's skin type to avoid burning, and presents its facility as cleaner, safer and kinder than a standard tanning salon.