Tanning FAQs

It varies person to person, depending on how their skin holds the tan. The typical time is 4-7 days.

This may occur for several reasons BUT FIRST:

Note we offer 24 hour complimentary airbrush retouches. Spray tans that do not activate completely can occur. We want your tan to be awesome! Come back in and we will retouch it and get your glo back on!

Also, it is very easy to assume your Technician did this-however, they are trained professionals and not capable of making the solution “blotchy” or “splotchy“. This is a reaction with the solution and your skin.

We use a DOUBLE spray technique-that means we go over each area twice, so areas that you assume are “missed” or actually not. They simply did not develop properly. Now let’s get to the reason WHY that happened:

1}The PH balance of your natural skin may have been too acidic or alkaline prior to tanning, not allowing the DHA to properly react with your skin {see below info. for testing your skin’s ph balance levels & products you use}. We do offer a PH balance spray prior to your session, but this can sometimes still occur.

2}Your skin may have been too dry prior to your session or due to not exfoliating properly. Please exfoliate gently with exfoliating gloves prior to your session{too harshly will take too many dead skin cells off & prevent the DHA from reacting properly}. Any oil based exfoliants can interfere with the tanning process if used 24-48 hours within your tanning session. We highly recommend to use our exfoliating gloves, you may purchase in the spa.

3} Your cleanser & lotions are either not PH balanced or contain mineral oil {see below info. for testing your skin’s ph balance levels & products you use}. Organic Tan offers Norvell cleansing & lotion products for sale to assist with the after care of your tan. Any cleansing products or lotions that contain mineral oil should be avoided as they naturally strip the tan prematurely.

This may occur for several reasons:

1} You rinsed off with too hot of water. Please rinse off with MILD water only, as also listed on your receipt after purchase.

2} You used soap to rinse of your tan. This will interfere with the developer and significantly reduce the level of tan. Only use WATER to initially rinse off the bronzer.

3} The tan has not fully developed. Please ONLY contact us if your tan has had a FULL 12 hours to develop after rinsing.

4}The PH balance of your natural skin may have been too acidic or alkaline prior to tanning, not allowing the DHA to properly react with your skin {see below info. for testing your skin’s ph balance levels & products you use}. We do offer a PH balance spray prior to your session, but this can sometimes still occur.

5}Your skin may have been too dry prior to your session or due to not exfoliating properly. Please exfoliate gently with exfoliating gloves prior to your session{too harshly will take too many dead skin cells off & prevent the DHA from reacting properly}. Any oil based exfoliants can interfere with the tanning process if used 24-48 hours within your tanning session.

6} You had a lotion on your skin & prevented a barrier for the DHA to absorb.

7} Your skin needs longer for the DHA to develop. You will know this after the first time you are sprayed-we recommend 3 hours for a light glow or 4 hours for a darker glow. If certain areas or darker than others, you may have had your water too hot or your skin’s ph balance was off that day (ex. you should came from the gym, etc.) If you still feel lighter, next time keep the solution on for 30 minutes longer in increments until we find the perfect developer time for you!

Please note: Airbrush tans: Due to the nature and science of airbrush tans reacting with your natural ph balance and skin factors, and we have no control over the outcome. We offer one complimentary touch-up within 24 hours. If a guest has issues with more than two airbrush tans, we recommend to try another  solution from another brand. If the tan is not getting dark on multiple visits, our DHA in our solution is not strong enough to reach your desired look and we recommend finding one that does. 

No. Do not get sprayed on those areas that are peeling. We have no way of knowing if you are peeling if not visible to the eye. This is up to the client to inform the technician. Organic Tan does not take responsibility for this. If your skin starts to peel after the tan, you may have some uneven brown patches. Gently exfoliate the edges with exfoliating gloves. Apply a hydrating lotion that does not contain mineral oil. You may need to apply a bronzer to the “white” parts that shows fresh skin.

There are several possibilities of this occurrence and your technician is typically not one of them. Possible reasons your armpit are white:

1)You either did not wipe your deodorant off completely prior to your session, wore deodorant during your session or applied deodorant on too soon after your tan. The chemicals in your deodorant can affect the tan, sometimes turn the tan green or even remove it causing a white ring underneath.

2)Sweat: Sweat can affect the tan. We tend to see more white underarms in the summer due to sweat. We suggest to refrain from any activities that will cause you to sweat while the tan is developing. It can be a cause of the white underarms, removing the tan. Also, keep it extra cool in your car and house. We suggest if you do sweat a lot, purchase the touch up spray to get you out of those “armpit” situations.

3) Showering the day of. Do NOT shower or shave the day of your tan. You are removing all oils off of your body and the tan can have less of a chance to adhere to. It also leaves the pores open, seep into the pores and have that dreaded “pin” look.

4) You pulled your arm down to the side after tanning and the solution was rubbed off. This can also pull the extra solution to the sides of your arm, leaving those other areas darker.

3)Dark patches under your arm? Your skin is dry on those areas and grabbed too much tan. See our quick fix below on how to resolve. Next time, make sure to moisturize the day before with an oil free moisturizer after a gentle exfoliation.