Just open for four days is the newest tanning salon in West Seattle, Desert Sun at Westwood Village. It's located across from Barnes and Noble.

Owned by Mage Gangon, who already owns 3 others in the franchised chain in the Seattle area, Desert Sun is not what you might expect. If you haven't tanned in a salon before, or been concerned about warnings, Gangon is convinced that the warnings are out of proportion. He's spent up $30,000 on a single specialized tanning machine. Gangon says that the warnings are about "basic level equipment which 90% of our tanners are not using. We pay the money for the technology to tan people the right way." He's spent more than $300,000 just on tanning equipment for this location.

This location was four years in the planning and the company was offered other locations in Westwood Village previously. They negotiated on a lease but the deal fell through. When Hollywood Video closed, the former shopping center owners Wesbild came calling again.

In addition to more advanced tanning systems, the company also offers a "red light therapy" system. The company claims it "stimulates the collagen in the skin to repair the elastin, even the body's PH. It can help with insomnia and chronic pain, and it also helps with acne, scarring, evening out the skin tone, eliminating fine lines from wrinkling."

Spray tanning, while available at the other Desert Sun locations is not installed yet at the Westwood Village location. That's coming in about a month. "Spray tanning is becoming huge," Gangon said.

Gangon owns the Desert Sun near the Junction, one on Queen Anne Hill and one on the corner of 45th and Stoneway in Wallingford.

Desert Sun is offering all new customers a free week of tanning in any bed of their choice.

The company offers different levels of tanning packages from a group of a few, up to unlimited. Through an agreement with other franchise owners, you are able to use your tanning purchase at any of them. There are 60 in Washington State.

Desert Sun is open 8:00 am to 10:00pm Mon-Fri and 9:00am to 7:00 pm weekends. You can reach them at 206-932-8266.