The FDA recently ruled that teeth whitening is a cosmetic, not a dental, procedure. That’s good news for salon owners like Stacy Hamon of 1st Street Salon in Thornton, Colo., who recently introduced the service to enthusiastic clients. Because it’s not considered a dental procedure anyone can perform the service and no special training or license is required.

Hamon charges $99 for a 15-minute session and also offers a $249 package that includes two back-to-back sessions and a take-home whitener. Clients can have the procedure done as often as they like — every few months or as needed. “Our Spa White Nights are a big success,” she says. “We have sandwiches, wine, and veggies. Basically, we have a party while everyone sits there with a blue light in their mouth.”

The majority of salon teeth whitening systems consist of a plastic mouthpiece, a whitening ingredient (usually hydrogen or carbamide peroxide), and an LED UV light to activate the whitener. Start up costs for many of the systems are relatively low. For example, Nice N Bright charges $2,995 for the lamp, 30 kits, and other basics. The system whitens in 20-minute sessions, for which they recommend charging $129. “After your initial 30 clients, there’s the potential to make $268 per hour,” calculates Nice N Bright’s Larry Mancini. “I know of salons that are doing whitening while clients’ feet are soaking.”

Buyer’s Guide

Beaming White Teeth Whitening System www.beamingwhite.com

Beyond Teeth Whitening Systems  www.beyondwhitespa.com

Bleach Bright www.bleachbright.com

BriteWhite Teeth Whitening System www.britewhitesystem.com

Diamond Smiles www.diamondsmiles.com

Evolution Spa

Grater Whiter Smiles www.graterwhitersmilesc.om

Nice N Bright Smiles www.nicenbrightsmiles.com

PearlBrite www.pearlbrite.biz

Smile Bright www.smilebrightusa.net

White Professional Tooth Whitening www.whitetoothwhitening.com

White Science www.whitescience.com

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