How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin – Scoring a brand new hair color at home is always exciting, but dyeing your hair at home tends to be a messy process—and if you’ve done it, then you’re probably familiar with that special brand of terror that comes when you can’t figure out how to get the excess hair dye off your skin.
So what are we supposed to do when we want to color our hair at home but not deal with dyed skin, too? Prevention is key. Plus, you can use products you can find in your own home to get rid of the dye. Follow the tips below to learn how to get hair dye off your skin, and you’ll never be afraid of a DIY dye job ever again.
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How to remove hair dye from the hairline and face
Hair dye can stain along your hairline and face where the dye was applied. Because facial skin can be more sensitive than skin elsewhere on your body, you’ll want to avoid harsh or very abrasive cleansers in this area.
1. Soap and water
Your first defense when you notice hair dye on your skin should be to use soap and warm water to try to remove it.
If you start to wipe off the dye before it dries or shortly after applying the dye, this may be enough to remove it. If not, or if it has already stained your skin, you may need to try one of the additional methods below.
2. Olive oil
Olive oil is a natural cleanser that may help remove stains from your skin. This may be an especially good option for people with sensitive skin, but anyone can try it.
To use, pour a small amount of olive oil on a cotton ball, or use your finger and gently rub it into the stained area of your skin. Leave it on for up to 8 hours.
If you’re going to sleep with it on, you may want to cover it with a bandage or plastic so it doesn’t stain anything.
To remove, wash it off with warm water.
3. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can be harsh and drying to skin, so this may not be a great option if you have very sensitive or dry skin.
To use as a dye remover, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or cotton pad. Gently dab it on the stained portion of your skin. Once the dye is off, be sure to rinse the area with warm water and soap.
4. Toothpaste
Toothpaste can help remove stains from teeth, but it may also help remove hair dye stains from your skin.
Use a non-gel toothpaste, and apply a small amount onto a cotton swab or your finger. Gently massage it over the dye on your skin. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, and then remove with a washcloth soaked in warm water.
Removing dye from hands
The above techniques for removing dye from your forehead and hairline may also work on your hands. You can also try the following:
1. Nail polish remover
Nail polish remover isn’t safe to use on your face or neck, but it can help remove stains from hands. Apply a small amount of nail polish remover to a cotton swab or cotton ball. Rub it over the stain for a few seconds. The stain should start to come off.
Wash your hands with warm water and soap afterward to remove the nail polish remover.
2. Dish soap and baking soda
Baking soda is exfoliating, and dish soap can help to dissolve the dye.
To use, combine gentle dish soap and baking soda to form a paste. Gently rub the paste over the stained area on your hands, and then rinse with warm water.
3. Go to a professional
Obviously professional hair coloring is much more expensive than buying your favorite color off the shelf, but the benefits are proportionate to the price. Not only will a professional colorist be better able to advise you on the correct color for your look, but also he or she will be able to protect your skin from becoming stained with hair dye. Sometimes it’s just worth it to splurge for better quality.
4. Professional dye remova
If you’re not willing or can’t afford to have a professional do your dye job but you’re wary of home hair dye removal methods, you could still dye your hair yourself or with a friend at home and then go to a hair salon afterwards to ask them to use their professional tricks to removing hair dye. Of course you’ll have to pay for that, but it won’t be as expensive as the salon dyeing your hair for you.
5. Petroleum jelly
The most ideal course of action is to avoid stains in the first place by coating your hairline with a layer of petroleum jelly before starting your dye job. Petroleum jelly can also act as a stain removal agent after dyeing.
Begin by rubbing petroleum jelly into the stain. Massage it into the skin using your fingertips. Continue massaging until you can see the stain disappearing. You may notice the petroleum jelly turning the color of the dye it is removing – that means it’s working! You may also opt to apply the petroleum jelly using a makeup remover pad to prevent the dye on the skin on your face from transferring to your hands.
Note that while petroleum jelly is gentle on your hands and facial skin, you should be careful not to get it in your eyes.
Remove the petroleum jelly with a clean, wet washcloth.
If that gets rid of the hair dye stain, then great. If not, you can apply petroleum jelly and let it sit and soak into the skin, even allowing it to sit overnight. If you wear the petroleum jelly to sleep, try covering it with clean cotton fabrics like a headband or bandages to keep it from staining your pillowcases and sheets. If you’re applying the jelly to your hands, simply wear gloves to bed.
6. Patience
The safest method? Doing nothing! Hair dye stains on your skin will become lighter and lighter as time passes until they eventually disappear. Honestly, most hair dyes will fade from the skin within a week or less. If your hair dye stains are not in an easily seen place or not so big as to attract attention, then your best bet may be some patient waiting. We’re always our own worst critics – just because you see the dye on your skin doesn’t mean that others will notice it as well!
7. Makeup remover
Make up remover is inexpensive and works wonders. If you don’t already own some for its principal use, pick up a bottle at your local drugstore or Sephora and start using it. Make up remover is especially good for removing eye makeup and protecting the sensitive skin around your eyes from under eye bags and premature aging and wrinkles.
As a remover for hair dye, makeup remover may be able to help you tackle those stains. Apply some to a cotton ball and start rubbing. Wait five minutes before rinsing and hopefully that stain will disappear.
How to prevent hair dye stains
To prevent dye from staining your skin the next time you color your hair, try one of the following:
- Wear gloves to help protect your hands.
- Apply a barrier between your hairline and your hair. Try using a thick line of moisturizing cream, petroleum jelly, or lip balm around the hairline before applying the dye.
- Wipe up any spills as you go. You can use a damp cotton swab or pad, or washcloth. Removing stain right away can help prevent stains.
If no at-home methods work to remove dye from your skin, consider making an appointment at a salon.
Hair stylists and color specialists have specially formulated products that can remove stains. They’ll charge you a small amount for this service, but it should do the trick to get the stain off your skin.
Conclusion
Here’s where hair dye skin stain removal gets a tad more dangerous. Many of the following home remedies are beyond your run-of-the-mill mild abrasives and can cause real damage to your skin, so use only with extreme caution and stop at the first sign of irritation. No hair dye stain is worth causing skin burns to remove.