Oscar Meijer and Merijn Wegdam’s paths converged during their university days, where Oscar pursued a degree in Civil Engineering, and Merijn specialized in Industrial Design. In 2001, Merijn shared his ‘book of ideas’ with Oscar, recounting an incident that sparked their entrepreneurial journey. Merijn had once fallen asleep with a facial tanner positioned above his bed, resulting in an unexpected sunburn. Cooling off in the shower, he had a eureka moment: why not combine sunbathing with showering? Oscar resonated with the idea, and the duo entered a business-plan competition, winning office space at TU in Delft and €1,500. They celebrated with a company party and invested in a sunbed for their prototype. In 2003, Sunshower BV was established, receiving KEMA-KEUR certification. Their inaugural installation found a home at Center Parcs, where the friends personally installed the first Sunshowers in a tropical pool, ensuring minimal guest disruption by working at night. Thus, their innovative journey took flight. 

A dream has been realized, as Sunshower is currently thriving. This success is well-deserved, as showering has transformed into a wellness experience. Additionally, an increasing number of individuals comprehend the significance of the positive impacts of safe sunlight. However, the flourishing of Sunshower does not imply that Merijn, Oscar, and Michael have become complacent. They still have numerous aspirations to fulfill. Their ambitions extend beyond becoming the largest company in the Netherlands and the Benelux; they also aim to conquer Germany, Scandinavia, and the rest of the world. Furthermore, they firmly believe that one is never too old to learn, hence their continuous efforts to further enhance their products. The core essence of Sunshower revolves around “Happy people.” This is evident through the smiles on the faces of suppliers, customers, and the enthusiastic team of 45 individuals. Their success is also reflected in the social atmosphere during lunchtime in the office kitchen, where sausage rolls, toasties, fried eggs, and even whole meals are shared. Company parties, whether it be sailing through the Amsterdam canals on their sloop or elsewhere, remain a cherished tradition. 

Sunshower dedicates a significant amount of effort towards conducting extensive research on the safety of UVB technology. It is important to note that “more” does not equate to “better,” especially when it comes to ultraviolet light. While a moderate exposure to ultraviolet light can have health benefits, excessive exposure can be detrimental to the skin. The World Health Organization (WHO) rightly warns that repeated sunburns caused by ultraviolet light increase the risk of skin cancer. This crucial fact plays a pivotal role in technology design process. When using our UVB lamps, users are exposed to less than twenty percent of the amount of ultraviolet light compared to a session on a professional sunbed. The primary objective is to eliminate any potential risks for clients, which is why we sought the expertise of dermatologists from the Amsterdam UMC to conduct a thorough study on the effects of technology on the skin. The results of this study revealed absolutely no risk whatsoever. 

In recent decades, the significance of vitamin D has become increasingly evident. While in the previous century, scientists only regarded vitamin D as a prerequisite for robust bones, it is now abundantly clear that maintaining an optimal vitamin D level is also crucial for a fortified immune system and the well-being of the heart and blood vessels. Moreover, a sufficient vitamin D level appears to offer protection against various forms of cancer. While Sunshower acknowledges the risks associated with excessive ultraviolet light, we are also deeply concerned about the prevailing notion in society that ultraviolet light is universally hazardous and that minimizing exposure is always preferable.