Brilliant Tan - The DHA Percentage Guide: How to Choose the Right Spray Tan Solution for Your Skin Tone

If you've ever looked at a spray tan solution and wondered what the percentage actually means — you're not alone. DHA percentage is the most important factor in choosing the right solution, and getting it wrong is the most common reason for spray tans that look too orange, too dark, or too light. This guide explains everything.

What Is DHA?

DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is the active ingredient in all sunless tanning products. It's a colourless sugar that reacts with the amino acids in the top layer of your skin (the stratum corneum) to produce a brown colour — your tan. This reaction is called the Maillard reaction, and it's completely safe and non-toxic.

The DHA percentage in a solution determines how intense the colour reaction will be. Higher percentage = darker result.

DHA Percentage Guide by Skin Tone

DHA %	Best For	Expected Result
6–8%	Very fair, sensitive skin	Light, natural-looking glow
9–10%	Fair to light skin	Medium golden tan
11–12%	Medium/olive skin	Deep golden-brown tan
13–14%	Darker skin tones or deep colour preference	Rich, dark tan
14%+	Competition/bodybuilding use	Extreme depth of colour

Brilliant Tan's Professional Solution Range

Our solutions are formulated for professional results — whether you're a salon owner, mobile technician, or home tanner.

9% Fair Professional Spray Tan Solution 1L
Perfect for fair-skinned clients or first-timers who want a natural, buildable result without going too dark.

11% Medium Professional Spray Tan Solution 1L
Our most popular formula. Suits a wide range of skin tones and delivers a classic golden-brown tan.

13% Dark Professional Spray Tan Solution 1L
For clients who want a deep, rich colour. Also great for building up over multiple sessions.

Ultra Dark Competition Tan Base Coat 1L
Formulated specifically for fitness and bodybuilding competitions where maximum colour depth and muscle definition are required.

Trial Pack — Professional Spray Tan Solution
Not sure which percentage is right for you? Our trial pack lets you test before committing to a full litre. Ideal for new technicians and home tanners.

Common DHA Mistakes to Avoid

Going too dark too soon. If you're new to spray tanning, start one percentage lower than you think you need. You can always build up over multiple sessions.

Using the same percentage year-round. Many clients go one shade lighter in winter when their natural skin tone is lighter, and one shade darker in summer.

Ignoring skin prep. DHA reacts with dead skin cells — if you haven't exfoliated properly, the result will be patchy regardless of the percentage. Read our pre-tan prep guide before your next appointment.

Not patch testing. If you're trying a new percentage, always do a patch test or use our 0% Training Solution to practise technique before applying a full-colour formula.

For Technicians: Training with 0% Solution

If you're learning spray tan technique, our 0% Wash-Off Training Solution lets you practise application, gun settings, and coverage without any DHA — so there's no risk of uneven results on your practice clients.