Why Do Some Spray Tans Turn Orange? And How Do We Make Sure Yours Doesn’t?

There is one sentence we hear all the time when someone books a spray tan with us for the first time:

“I just don’t want to look like Trump...” or "an Oppma Loompa..."

We get it 😂

Spray tans have had a bit of a reputation over the years, and if your last experience with fake tan involved orange ankles, suspiciously dark elbows and a face three shades warmer than the rest of you, we can understand why you might be hesitant to try again.

The good news is that spray tanning has come a very long way, and there’s actually a reason some tans turn orange. A good spray tan should leave people wondering whether you’ve been away somewhere warm, not wondering what happened.

So, why does fake tan sometimes turn orange?

Most sunless tanning products use an ingredient called DHA (dihydroxyacetone). DHA reacts with amino acids in the very top layer of your skin, creating the temporary colour we recognise as a tan.

Without getting too science-y, the amount of DHA matters. Higher concentrations generally create a deeper colour, but more is definitely not always better. If the concentration is too strong for your natural skin tone, or too much product is applied, the finished colour can start looking overly warm or orange rather than naturally bronzed.

Your own skin plays a part too. Undertone, skin condition and even areas of thicker or drier skin can all affect how a tanning solution develops. That's why elbows, knees and ankles are usually the first places to betray a questionable home tanning job.

Basically, the darkest possible tan isn't necessarily the best tan for you.

This is where a professional tan makes a difference

Our spray tans at Indulge aren't about making every person the exact same shade of brown.

We use professional-grade tanning solutions and customise your tan to suit your skin tone and the depth of colour you actually want, whether that's a subtle bit of colour or a deeper bronze.

And this is usually the point where our nervous first-timers are pleasantly surprised.

We hear the fear of going orange before the appointment, then afterwards it's usually some version of, “Oh! That actually looks really natural.”

Exactly. That's the idea.

You should still look like yourself. Just yourself after a particularly good summer holiday.

Your skin prep matters more than you might think too

Even the best tanning solution needs a good canvas!

Dry or uneven skin can grab more colour in certain areas, which is why exfoliating before your appointment makes such a difference. We recommend exfoliating around 24 hours beforehand, paying particular attention to knees, elbows and other dry areas.

On the day of your tan, arrive with clean skin and skip the moisturiser, deodorant and perfume. These products can create a barrier between your skin and the tanning solution and affect how evenly everything develops.

If you're getting a tan for a wedding, ball, holiday or another event, please don't decide that the night before is the perfect opportunity to attack your entire body with a razor and the world's strongest exfoliator either. Give your skin a little time to settle (and probably test out your tan a month or so beforehand to make sure you're happy with it).

And what about the colour straight after your appointment?

Don't panic if your tan looks darker immediately after it has been applied.

The colour you initially see isn't necessarily your final colour. Your tan continues developing after you leave the salon, which is why your rinse time matters.

With our tans, you can rinse from one hour for a lighter glow or leave it for up to three hours for a deeper, longer-lasting bronze, depending on the result you're after.

We'll talk you through this at your appointment so you know exactly when to rinse.

And yes, sometimes the hardest part of a spray tan is resisting the temptation to leave it on for just a little longer because you want to be extra brown. Follow your therapist's advice. More development time does not automatically mean a better result.

How long will my tan last?

A spray tan colours the outermost layer of the skin, so it gradually fades as those skin cells naturally shed.

Keeping your skin moisturised after your first rinse can help your tan fade more evenly and stay looking good for longer. Avoid aggressively exfoliating it away too soon and be aware that long hot showers, swimming and lots of soaking can shorten its life.

We also stock Azure Tan products in the salon, including gradual tans, tanning mousses and hydrating face and body products, which are great for maintaining your colour between appointments or keeping that glow going while you're away.

So, will a spray tan make me orange?

A badly matched or overly strong tan certainly can pull orange. But orange isn't simply an unavoidable part of getting a spray tan.

The formulation, depth of colour, application and your skin all matter, which is exactly why we don't believe in a one-colour-fits-all approach.

If you've avoided spray tans because of a bad experience years ago, or you've never had one because you're convinced you'll walk out looking like you've joined Willy Wonka's factory, come and talk to us.

Our goal is a natural-looking, even bronze that actually suits you.

At Indulge, our spray tans are customised to your skin tone and desired colour, with full-body, upper-body and lower-body options available. We also know tans are often booked around weddings, parties and other important events, so if you can't find a suitable appointment online, get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate an after-hours appointment.

No orange faces required 😉