Ms Bowden has had one tanning bed in her Fitzmaurice Street salon, Kanz World, for the last nine years and still has clients loyal to the controversial tanning method.

Solariums have been banned in NSW, with businesses given until 2014 to part with their beds and diversify.

Despite the two years to prepare, Ms Bowden is already willing to accept offers on what will eventually be a home-tanning piece of equipment.

During summer, the tanning bed at Kanz World sees around 50 people per week jump in for a sunless glow. Ms Bowden said those clients have been waiting for the ban.

“They’ve been waiting for it ... I didn’t think it would get to this stage, I didn’t think they would ban them,” she said.

“My opinion is the media have killed it, that’s for sure, and just from people who have overused it over the years have given it a bad name.”

Owners of tanning beds in NSW have faced changes over the years, including limits of one visit per 48 hours and clients having to fill out consent forms to use the solariums.

The shift away from tanning beds has also grown as alternatives have improved, with the spray tanning industry expected to absorb solarium users.

“It’s definitely not as popular as it used to be, the spray tans are so good now,” Ms Bowden said.

“Tanners don’t care what they have to do, they want to be brown.

“I think after the commercial ban in 2014, you’ll find a fair few solariums at home.”