Why Your Spray Tan Turns Orange - and How to Prevent It
, by Lynsey Bennett, 3 min reading time
Every artist has faced it - the nightmare of a client messaging to say their tan turned orange. It’s one of the biggest fears in the tanning industry, and it’s also one of the easiest problems to prevent when you understand the science and technique behind it. Here’s the truth: orange tans are not bad luck, they’re bad chemistry and process. Let’s fix that.
1. The Real Reason Spray Tans Turn Orange
That orange hue comes down to one thing - DHA overload. When too much DHA (the active tanning ingredient) reacts with amino acids on the skin’s surface, it oxidizes too aggressively, producing an unnatural, brassy tone. It’s the equivalent of overcooking a perfect roast - too long, too hot, too much reaction.
Most orange outcomes come from one or more of these issues:
- Using a DHA percentage too high for the client’s skin tone.
- Poor skin prep (old tan residue or oil buildup).
- Leaving rapid solutions on for too long.
- Using expired or oxidized tan solution.
2. Match the Solution to the Skin
Professional tanning is about customization, not convenience. The same bottle should not be used for every skin tone.
- Fair or cool skin: 6–8% DHA.
- Medium or neutral: 9–11% DHA.
- Olive or deep: 12–14% DHA. Choosing correctly is the fastest way to eliminate orange tones. If you’re unsure, always start lighter - you can layer depth, but you can’t undo orange.
3. Prep Determines Perfection
No solution, no matter how premium, can save a poorly prepped client. Dead skin, barrier products, or residual tan throw DHA reactions completely off balance. Educate your clients to:
- Exfoliate 24 hours before (not the morning of).
- Avoid oil-based scrubs and moisturisers before tanning.
- Arrive with clean, dry skin - no deodorant, perfume, or lotion.
When you control prep, you control results. Make pre-tan education a non-negotiable part of your process.
4. Solution Quality and Storage
Cheap or expired solution is orange waiting to happen. DHA degrades over time, and heat accelerates that breakdown. If the liquid looks darker than normal or smells sour, bin it. Always store solutions below 20°C and away from direct sunlight.
Also: shake every bottle before use. Ingredients separate over time - uneven mixing = uneven colour development.
5. Rinse Timing Is Critical
Leaving a rapid tan on too long is the #1 cause of orange tones. Rapid formulas are designed to be rinsed early; they continue developing after rinse. If your client wants more depth, increase the DHA percentage slightly or layer over time - don’t extend rinse times beyond manufacturer guidance.
6. Understand Undertones
Undertones matter more than depth. Cool undertones paired with warm bronzers will clash and turn orange. Match your bronzer base: - Cool tone clients → violet or olive-based bronzers. - Warm tone clients → green or neutral bases. Professional tanning isn’t about colour - it’s about undertone harmony.
7. Educate Your Clients (and Protect Your Reputation)
Even the best application can be ruined if the client doesn’t follow your aftercare instructions. Provide them in writing or digitally. Reinforce the basics:
- Use pH-balanced body wash.
- Moisturise daily with alcohol-free lotion.
- Avoid hot tubs, steam rooms, and long baths.
Clients who understand their role in the process are far less likely to blame you when they slip up - and more likely to return.
Conclusion
Orange tans destroy trust - but they’re entirely preventable. Perfect your prep education, product selection, and rinse guidance, and you’ll never have to deal with an orange outcome again. Confidence comes from control, and the best professionals control every variable.