Tanning beds do not make you orange. The UV rays emitted by a tanning bed stimulate melanin production in your skin, and melanin produces a brown color — not orange. If you’ve come out of a tanning session looking more orange than brown, the cause is almost always something external, not the UV exposure itself.

That said, there are a few specific things that can cause an orange tint after using a tanning bed, and it’s worth knowing what they are so you can avoid them. Below I’ll break down exactly why this happens and how to make sure your tan comes out looking natural.

Key Takeaways

UV rays from tanning beds stimulate melanin, which produces a brown tan — not an orange one.
The most common cause of orange skin after tanning is bronzer-based tanning lotion, particularly those containing DHA.
Overexposure and using the wrong lotion for your skin type can both push your tan toward unwanted tones.
Low-quality or poorly maintained tanning beds with an imbalanced UV ratio can affect how your tan develops.
Exfoliating before tanning and choosing the right lotion are the easiest ways to avoid an orange result.

Why Tanning Beds Produce Brown, Not Orange

When UV rays hit your skin, they trigger melanocytes — the cells responsible for producing melanin — to release pigment as a protective response. Melanin is a naturally brown pigment, which is why a genuine UV tan always has a warm, golden-brown quality to it rather than an orange tone.

This is an important distinction from spray tans, which use a chemical called DHA (dihydroxyacetone) that reacts with amino acids on the surface of your skin to create color. DHA is more prone to producing orange tones, especially on lighter skin types or when applied unevenly. A tanning bed doesn’t use any chemicals — it’s purely UV-stimulated melanin — so orange is not an expected outcome.

If your skin has looked orange after a tanning bed session, the UV rays themselves were not the cause.

What Actually Causes Orange Skin After Tanning

Bronzer Tanning Lotions

This is the most common culprit by a significant margin. Many tanning lotions contain bronzers — either cosmetic bronzers that wash off, or DHA bronzers that develop on the skin over several hours. If the DHA concentration isn’t well matched to your skin type, or if you apply the lotion unevenly, it can produce an orange cast rather than a natural brown.

Lighter skin types are particularly vulnerable to this. DHA reacts more intensely on pale skin, and if you’re using a lotion designed for deeper skin tones, the result can look unnatural. Always check whether your tanning lotion contains DHA bronzers and choose one formulated for your skin tone.

Overexposure

Spending too long in a tanning bed doesn’t make your tan look better — it can make it look worse. When skin is significantly overexposed, it can develop an uneven, blotchy color that reads as orange in certain lights, particularly on the chest, shoulders, and face where skin tends to be more sensitive. Starting with shorter sessions and building up gradually gives your melanin time to develop naturally and evenly.

Your Skin Type

Your natural skin tone affects how UV exposure translates into color. The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin into six types, from very fair (Type I) to very dark (Type VI). Fairer skin types — particularly Type I and II — produce less melanin overall, which means UV exposure produces a lighter, more golden result rather than a deep brown.

This doesn’t mean fairer skin turns orange from UV, but it does mean the difference between a natural-looking tan and an unnatural one is smaller. If you’re on the fairer end and pushing sessions too hard, the result can look off. You can read more about why some skin types struggle to get darker in the tanning bed and what to do about it.

Low-Quality or Poorly Maintained Tanning Beds

Different types of tanning beds emit different ratios of UVA and UVB rays, and the balance between these two affects how your tan develops. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are responsible for the immediate darkening effect, while UVB rays stimulate new melanin production. A bed with an imbalanced or degraded UV output — often a sign of old or poorly maintained bulbs — can produce a tan that looks less natural.

This is a good reason to choose a reputable salon that maintains its equipment properly. High-pressure tanning beds in particular are known for producing deeper, more natural-looking color because of their higher UVA output and quality construction.

How to Avoid Orange Tones When Tanning

Exfoliate before your session. Removing dead skin cells creates an even surface for both UV exposure and any tanning lotion to work on. Uneven skin texture leads to uneven color development. Exfoliating 24 hours before your session is ideal.
Choose your tanning lotion carefully. If you’re new to tanning or have a lighter skin type, stick to a basic tan accelerator rather than a DHA bronzer. If you do want a bronzer, choose one formulated for fair-to-medium skin.
Build up gradually. Start with shorter sessions — 6 to 8 minutes for beginners — and increase slowly. Rushing the process is the fastest way to end up with uneven, unflattering color.
Moisturize consistently. Dry skin reflects light differently and can make a tan look more orange or patchy. Keeping your skin well hydrated before and after sessions helps maintain even, natural-looking color.
Use a quality salon. Well-maintained beds with properly functioning bulbs produce better, more consistent results. It’s worth paying a little more for a reputable salon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do tanning beds make you orange?

No. Tanning beds stimulate melanin production through UV exposure, and melanin produces a brown color. If your skin looks orange after using a tanning bed, the cause is almost always a bronzer tanning lotion — particularly one containing DHA — rather than the UV rays themselves.

How can I tan without turning orange?

Exfoliate before your session, choose a tanning lotion without DHA bronzers if you’re a lighter skin type, build up your sessions gradually, and keep your skin well moisturized. These steps together will give you the most natural, even result. If you’ve had orange tones before, switching your tanning lotion is usually the first thing to try.

Why does tanning lotion make skin look orange?

Bronzer tanning lotions that contain DHA work by reacting chemically with amino acids on the surface of your skin. This reaction produces a color change that can skew orange — particularly on lighter skin types or when the lotion is applied unevenly. It’s the same mechanism that causes orange tones with fake tan products.

Is a sunbed worse than sunbathing?

Both involve UV exposure and carry similar risks when used excessively. The key difference is that a tanning bed gives you a controlled, consistent UV dose, whereas natural sun exposure varies depending on time of day, season, and location. Neither is risk-free, but moderation and sensible practice apply equally to both.

How many tanning sessions a week is safe?

Two to three sessions per week is generally a reasonable starting point for building a base tan, though this varies by skin type and the intensity of the bed. You should always allow at least 24 to 48 hours between sessions to give your skin time to recover and your melanin to develop fully. You can find more detail in our guide to how many sessions it takes to build a base tan.

Do sunbed tans look natural?

Yes — a UV tan from a tanning bed looks natural because it genuinely is. Your skin is producing real melanin in response to UV stimulation, which is exactly the same process as a natural outdoor tan. When done right, with the correct session length and appropriate lotion, a sunbed tan is indistinguishable from a natural one.

Final Thoughts

Tanning beds themselves are not the reason people end up with orange skin. The UV process produces real, melanin-based brown color — what causes orange tones is almost always a bronzer lotion containing DHA, overexposure, or dry and poorly prepped skin going into a session.

The fix is straightforward: exfoliate beforehand, pick the right lotion for your skin type, and build your tan gradually. Do those three things consistently and you’ll get a natural, even result every time.

If you’re looking to get the most out of your sessions, take a look at our guide to the best tan accelerators and the differences between high-pressure tanning beds and standard beds.