Can spray tans look natural? Absolutely. But if you don’t properly prepare and your spray tan care isn’t on point, that perfectly bronze glow may turn into bright orange. Or just as bad, you attempt one of the newest self-tanning lotions you found at the store and end up looking like you just stepped out of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
But fear not! There are simple ways to avoid the infamous orange spray tan, as long as you know what you’re doing. Let’s look at what you need to know for how to keep a spray tan from being orange and enjoy a beautiful bronze glow.
Why do Spray Tans Turn Orange?
In the early days of spray tanning, it wasn’t unusual to see women toting a nice, orange glow. Much of the reason for the strange color had to do with the spray tan solution and inability to match that solution with unique skin tones. What works on one person doesn’t necessarily work for another.
Spray tan solution uses an ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to darken or alter the color of your skin. But, with too much, it can cause discoloration.
Nowadays, spray tanning technology is incredibly precise (you can even get a custom formulated color!), but if your technician isn’t skilled enough to apply the solution correctly, or with the right tone, you could end up with that dreaded orange spray tan.
If you’re looking for a qualified, experienced spray tan artist or studio, ask questions and observe the following:
Do they know their products?
Are they following product instructions?
How many applications do they put on (most brands suggest 1 to 2 applications–too much solution can turn spray tans orange)?
Do they feather around areas like the knees and ankles that are drier?
Do they use any preparatory creams to balance pH and prevent over saturation?
One of the best ways to avoid getting an orange tan is to talk to your spray tan artist and tell them more about your skin type. Whether you have naturally oily or dry skin, naturally pale skin, or have an olive undertone will impact how your tan develops. This also gives your spray tan artist the opportunity to ask you questions as well. If you are still unsure, of your shade, try taking our spray tan shade quiz to find your perfect color!
Getting to know your spray tan artist and their products is a great start to preventing orange spray tan. In addition, let’s look at some essential spray tan tips for proper pre- and post-care.
How to Properly Prep Your Skin to Avoid an Orange Spray Tan
How your tan looks starts way before you step foot in the salon for your appointment.
Like we mentioned above, make sure you find a skilled spray tan artist that understands skin tone and color therapy. This is the most important tip when trying to avoid unnatural, orange spray tans. By choosing a custom airbrush spray tan instead of just going to a chain spray tanning spot with only three colors to choose from, you’ll feel confident that you’re getting the right color.
Next is pre-spray tan care. Going into your appointment prepared will help your skin maintain its glow, absorb the tanning solution more evenly, and help you not to turn orange from a spray on tan.
Here are some of our favorite pre-spray tan tips:
Exfoliate at least 4 hours before your appointment. You can use a store-bought exfoliant or try an exfoliating mitt to removing a spray tan that’s old.
Shower and shave at least 4 hours before your appointment.
Come with clean, fresh skin and don’t moisturize right before your appointment.
Don’t wear any other beauty products, including makeup, when you come for your tan.
Complete all other beauty services like nails, waxing, facials, and massages prior to your appointment.
Wax 24 hours (or more) before your appointment. You want to give your skin time to recover before your tan.
Wear loose-fitting clothing to and from appointment.
Some people who have never tried spray tanning might wonder “do spray tans make you orange?”, but by choosing the right spray tan artist and preparing your skin before your appointment, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy glow.
Post-Tan Care Tips to Avoid an Orange Spray Tan
In addition to preparing your skin for your spray tan, we also recommend taking care of your skin after your tan to avoid orange spray tan or streaks. There’s nothing worse than walking out of the studio bronzed and beautiful and then messing up your tan by not following the proper spray tan tips for the days to come.
If you want to maintain your glow and avoid an orange spray tan, keep these tips in mind:
Wear dark, loose-fitting clothes after your appointment. Spray tan regulars love long
t-shirt dresses and sandals!If possible, don’t wear a bra or undies right after your tan. You don’t want any risk of misplaced tan lines.
Don’t exfoliate after your spray tan until you’re ready to prepare for your next appointment.
Stay away from all moisture, including sweaty workouts, for at least 4 hours after your tan.
Take your first shower no sooner than 4 hours after your tan, but no more than 24 hours after.
When you do shower, be gentle and use your hand and an oil-free soap to cleanse.
Pat yourself dry after the shower instead of rubbing your skin with the towel
Avoid hot showers.
Moisturize with an oil-free moisturizer at least twice a day after the third day. Moisturized skin is happy skin and happy skin doesn’t turn streaky or orange!
How to Fix and Orange Spray Tan
The best way to avoid an orange spray tan is, of course, to find the best studio and artist who knows how to use their products. But in the unfortunate event that a spray tan turns orange, there are a few tips to tone it down:
Apply baby oil or coconut oil to areas that appear orange and let it soak before bathing.
Take a hot bath to remove the oil from stubborn areas.
Use a gentle exfoliant to lift some of the orange spray tan.
If spray tan is splotchy, try going back to the artist to even out color.
Unfortunately, an overly dark or orange tan isn’t fixable by going back for another spray tan, but these tips can be helpful in reducing the intensity before your next appointment.
Experience the Be Bronze Difference
At Be Bronze Studio, we believe that beautiful skin begins with exceptional skincare, which is why our tans nourish and improve your skin while giving you a mesmerizing glow–not turning your skin orange.
Our custom airbrush spray tan solution is loaded with skin-perfecting ingredients, anti-aging botanicals, and other repairing ingredients to support your skin health and prevent orange spray tans. And if you need a little color boost in between appointments, you can always try our self-tanning mousse! These spray tan care tips will help increase the longevity of your tan and have your skin feeling healthy and refreshed.