Orange Off-Colour Effect

Manufacturers claims to the contrary, almost any solution can develop an orange tone. While some solutions may be more prone to the effect than others, the most likely cause is from over application. (Improper exfoliation may also play a role.) It may be that too much solution is applied. The usual recommended amount is 2 Oz. But, many operators find it difficult to hold the application amount this low, often spraying closer to 3 Oz. The more disciplined you can be on overall amount the better. Or, over application may be localised, applied too heavily in one place. Also, Some areas of the body absorb solution more easily.

Another form of over application results when the solution contains too high a DHA percentage for the client's skin type. Darker skin types may tolerate a 12% DHA solution, while a fair skinned person may need a much lower percentage. Ultimately, it is the amount of DHA that is applied to the skin that matters. It may be too much solution, too high a percentage a solution, or both. 4 Ounces of a 6% solution will deposit the same amount of DHA on the skin as 2 ounces of a 12% solution.

It is possible to dilute the solution for an individual client. The most prominent ingredient in tanning solution is water, typically just listed as water or deionised water. Deionised water is water that has been passed through a column or membrane to remove ionic impurities. The deionization process does not remove non-ionic impurities. Distilled water, that you can buy at your local grocery store, has been purified by distillation and condensation -- a process that removes both ionic and non-ionic contaminants. So, there is no harm in putting a small amount of distilled water in your solution bottle to lower the DHA percentage of a spray that is too strong for your client. As a rule of thumb, add about 1/2 Oz of distilled water per 2 Oz of solution to lower the DHA percentage 2 per cent. E.g., 1/2 Oz distilled water added to 2 Oz of 10% solution will lower the DHA percentage to about 8%. If you would like to make up a larger amount of customized solution, a more precise calculation is needed. Note that the manufacturers of such solutions will not likely condone this procedure. Never use it as a means of cutting cost -- you always want the best result for your client but sometimes less is more!

Removing Sunless Tanner Stains

Stains from sunless tanners have two sources -- the immediate bronzer which is a dye and the DHA tanning reaction. There are products on the market that arrest the development of the DHA but nothing really effective on an already developed stain. The following are some "home remedies" that may prove effective in removing unsightly discoloration:

Poor Fading and Lizard Skin

Several days after a tanning session, the tan will begin to fade. In some cases, the fading may not occur in an even manner, and may appear blotchy or scaly -- "lizard skin". Clients with dry skin will be more susceptible to this than clients with oilier skin types. This effect may only appear on certain parts of the body where the skin is drier. Also, be wary of applying a tanning solution with too high a DHA percent on a fair skin client -- especially if they are also susceptible to dry skin. Poor fading will be accentuated by a very dark tan on a fair skinned client. Usually, such issues can be dealt with by lightly exfoliating and applying a Tan Extender with DHA -- or if a darker effect is needed, a true sunless lotion. For example, the Tanning Store sells in a 3% DHA Tan Extender and an 8% DHA sunless lotion. These clients may also need a more intensive Moisturization regimen -- perhaps a lighter moisturizer applied in the morning and a heavier moisturizer at night.

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