Safer shades of sun

Holly Miller, a skin cancer survivor, holds the sprayer of a portable spray tan setup she operates out of the Golden Tress Spa & Salon. Miller hopes this will be an alternative to using tanning beds. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

After skin cancer diagnosis, woman shares tanning alternative

In a way, Holly Miller is helping people become healthier.

Instead of tanning beds, Miller helps people get a tan in a healthy way. Miller, a skin cancer survivor, is the only spray tan specialist in Austin.

Holly Miller, a skin cancer survivor, sits next to a portable spray-tan set-up she operates out of the Golden Tress Spa & Salon.

“We’re the first one in Austin to do it,” said Miller, who works with the Golden Tress Spa & Salon.

Miller claims she knows firsthand that tanning beds can be dangerous, as she was diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer, four years ago.

“I’m a California girl. I was always in the sun,” Miller said.

Miller was at the doctor for a check-up when her physician noticed how tan she was. Miller used tanning beds at least three times a week at the time, but she didn’t think it could be dangerous. After checking her body over, her doctor said she needed to get a biopsy on some parts of her skin. From then on, Miller was put through treatment for melanoma, where the cancer must be completely surgically removed for a patient to get better.

“It was a reality check,” Miller said. “A lot of people don’t know how serious it is. Luckily all of mine surgically came out.”

Miller still has to get checked every six months for melanoma flare-ups. Her last appointment was the first one where doctors didn’t find any cancer.

Miller claims the tanning bed contributed to her cancer based on where it was. That’s why she was excited to find out about spray tanning. A friend of hers recommended a spray tanning line back in California about a year and a half ago, and Miller decided to give it a try.

“I went out of town and I did try it and I loved it,” she said.

Since then, she’s become an independent contractor. She says the spray tanning process is easy enough: Make sure your skin is completely clean before coming in for an appointment. Wear a bathing suit or underwear, depending on how comfortable you are, and Miller uses an airbrush-like machine to apply the tanning solution. It normally takes about 10 minutes, and people will be dark as soon as they leave. Leave the solution on for about eight hours and try not to sweat during that time. After that, rinse it off. Most spray tans will last about seven to 10 days.

“It makes your skin in better condition,” Miller said. “The more often you do it, you’re more moisturized.”

Spray tanning is starting to catch on. Miller said she has about 25 high-schoolers to spray tan in time for prom this week, and her appointment book keeps filling up. She even tanned a breast cancer patient recently, and Miller felt relieved at how much her client liked her new tan.

“It really made her feel good,” Miller said.

What’s more, she says it’s a lot healthier than the alternative.

“It’s catching on quickly, but still people in Austin don’t realize that it’s healthier for kids,” she said.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Call for Volunteers: Salvation Army looking for extra help for busy holiday season

News

Trump wins the White House in a political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Education

In Your Community: Money donated in Grandma Shirley’s name

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Mower County

In Your Community: Fourth Holiday Bing-Oh! prize claimed

News

The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns

News

Jury convicts man of killing girlfriend and hiding her body in rural Minnesota

Mower County

Tom Robbins to be new executive director of Austin Area Arts

Mower County

Institute scientist and team’s database work featured in science communication publication

Business

Hy-Vee celebrates 25 Years of its Veterans Day Breakfast

Mower County

I-90 Austin detour planned Nov. 15-18 for Fourth Street bridge demolition

Business

Hormel named a Best for Vets Employer for 12th year in a row

Mower County

Technical issue from Tuesday night’s election results in slight ballot count changes

News

2024 Election Rundown

Mower County

Patricia Mueller retains District 23B seat

Mower County

Zielke wins special election to round out Green’s school board seat

Mower County

Incumbents hold seats for Mayor, City Council; Waller returns to council in Ward 2

Mower County

Glynn earns fourth term on County Board, Mueller a second term

News

Trump wins the White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Mower County

Technical issues causing delay in upload of Mower voter tallies

News

Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wins 4th Senate term, defeating GOP ex-NBA player Royce White

News

AP Race Call: Republican Brad Finstad wins reelection to U.S. House in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District

Mower County

Author to present winter legends and history at Austin Public Library