Do you love to dye your hair at home? Then you know how exciting it is to see your new tresses after waiting for 30-45 minutes. But the thrill and joy can be dampened a little by stains on the face and hairline, leaving you to wonder how to get hair dye off your skin.
You can easily remove dye stains on the skin and nails by massaging the area with oil or petroleum jelly. Applying a soap and baking soda mix can also do the trick. You may also rub the area with some rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
So how can you use these items to get rid of hair dye stains? And what are the best professional stain removal agents? Keep reading to find out!
Key Takeaways
- You can remove hair dye from your skin by using different natural or store-bought removal solutions.
- Always test the hair dye removal product on a small patch of your skin to ensure that you’re not allergic to it.
- The best way to avoid hair dye stains on your skin is to take some preventative measures.
- If you’re unsure about how to safely dye your hair, then entrust the hair dye job to a professional.
How to Get Hair Dye Off Of Skin: Step-by-Step Guide
If you have ended up with hair dye stains on your face, hairline, scalp, nails, or hands, there’s no need to panic. You can use the following steps to get rid of the stains easily.
Gather the Materials
All dyes affect the skin on different body parts in different ways. It depends on your skin type and the composition of the dye you use. So choose the right stain remover carefully – and gather other materials accordingly.
Some of the popular household items that can help you get the dye off your skin are as follows:
- Baby oil or olive oil
- Petroleum jelly
- Dish soap or laundry detergent (with baking soda)
- Toothpaste
- Nail polish remover
- Makeup remover
- Hair spray or deodorant
- Rubbing alcohol
- Color-safe shampoo and conditioner
To use these products, you will also need a few extra materials for application, like clean glass bowls, cotton balls or pads, swabs, wet wipes, and warm water. If you’re not confident about using DIY solutions, you can also choose professional dye stain removers.
Related: How to Remove Toner From Hair With Baking Soda?
Apply Cleaning Solution
Now that you have your cleaning materials and additional products, it’s time to learn about the application, as described below –
1. Baby oil or olive oil
Ideal for: Face, hairline, hands, nails, neck, ears, and scalp
Oil can loosen the color molecules from the skin without being abrasive. Apply it on the stained area and massage it in. You can leave the oil layer overnight before wiping the oil and dye away with a makeup pad, wet wipe, etc.
2. Petroleum jelly
Ideal for: Face, hairline, hands, nails, neck, ears
Another effective household item to remove dye is petroleum jelly or Vaseline. Gently massage it on the stained area until you find it taking your dye’s color. You can leave it on overnight before removing it with a wet washcloth.
3. Dish soap or laundry detergent (with baking soda)
Ideal for: Hands, neck, ears
Laundry detergent and dish soap are formulated to handle tough grime. And baking soda is a whitening agent. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda and liquid soap in a bowl. Apply it on the skin, rub it gently, and wipe it away when the foam changes color.
4. Toothpaste
Ideal for: Hands, neck, ears, and face (depending on the toothpaste)
Toothpaste can remove tooth stains. It’s mildly abrasive and can scrape dye off of your skin. You only need a small dollop to form a layer on the stain. Rub it for a minute before removing it. Don’t use toothpaste with large granules on the face.
5. Nail Polish Remover
Ideal for: Nails, hands, ears, neck
Nail polish removers can remove nail paint – and isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and other ingredients can also effectively remove the dye. Using a cotton ball or swab, gently rub the stained area with the nail polish remover – and clean the loose molecules.
6. Makeup Remover
Ideal for: Face, hairline, hands, neck, ears
Surfactants, solubilizers, emulsifiers, and other active ingredients in a makeup remover can erase water-resistant cosmetics – and are gentle for your face. Apply it generously to the stained area, rub it, and remove it with some cotton or baby wipe.
7. Hair Spray or Deodorant
Ideal for: Hands, nails, neck, ears, scalp
Hair sprays and deodorants are alcohol-based products with copolymers of PVP and PVAc that break down dye. While they can dry out your face skin, you can spray them on other parts – and rub the spot to remove the stains.
8. Rubbing Alcohol
Ideal for: Hands, nails, neck, ears, scalp, hairline, face (depending on skin sensitivity)
Rubbing alcohol can effectively remove hair dye. Dab a small amount with some cotton and massage the area gently before washing it away. But don’t use it on your face if you have dry or sensitive skin. This solution is for normal-oily skin.
9. Color-Safe Conditioner
Ideal for: Scalp, hairline, sideburns
Color-safe conditioners can remove the dye. This is effective for the scalp, hairline, and sideburns. Massage a small amount of conditioner on the stained area. It will act like a cleanser as it has cleaning agents.
10. Fresh Hair Dye
Ideal for: Hairline and sideburns
Pop into the shower and apply leftover hair dye on the scalp and hairline. It can activate the color that’s just set in and dried. Add some water and massage the scalp and hairline for a few minutes till it’s creamy. Rinse thoroughly.
11. Use specialized Hair Dye Stain Removers
If you are not comfortable experimenting with DIY products on your skin or waiting for them to show results, you can use specialized stain removers as listed below –
- Ion Color Brilliance Hair Color Remover – Ideal for removing oxidative and non-oxidative dye from sideburns.
- Color Oops Extra Conditioning Hair Color Remover – Ammonia-free and bleach-free agent for oxidative dye.
- Roux Clean Touch Stain Remover – An excellent product for removing stains from the skin, scalp, and even clothes.
- Ion Hair Color Stain Remover – A gentle stain remover that works like magic on dye spots on the face, ears, neck, and hands.
- Color Oops Hair Color Stain Remover Wipes – A convenient option to remove stains from the face, ears, neck, and hands.
- Schwarzkopf Professional Stain Remover – Gently removes dye stains from skin and helps perfect hairlines.
Related: How to Remove Hair Glue From Hair?
Wash with Gentle Face Wash
Once you wipe away the loose color particles along with the cleaning solution, apply a gentle soap. It’s a good idea to choose an option with scrubbing granules in them. It’s best to go with a face wash as it is gentle enough for the face, hands, ears, and neck.
Exfoliate Your Skin
If the stain is too stubborn, you may still have a few spots left on the skin. Instead of attacking it, exfoliate your skin regularly. You can use a scrubbing solution or chemical peels. Homemade face packs with oats, sugar, coffee, honey, etc., can also help.
Rinse the Area
Rinse the stained area properly, preferably using lukewarm water. The stain-removing agents loosen the dye molecules. And rinsing washes away all traces of the color, along with the solution. You can also use some gentle soap at this point.
Use Moisturizer
Apply a moisturizer or aloe gel once the stain-removal process is completed. Trying to remove stains can be a slightly harsh and drying process. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin or if you repeat the process. Moisturizing will prevent skin irritation.
Repeat the Steps
If you notice that the stains are still vivid, reapply the cleanser of your choice following the steps above. But make sure to be gentle with the application. Also, overdoing the process may hurt your skin. If you feel the slightest irritation, stop right away.
Related: How To Remove Splat Hair Dye From Skin?
Things to Remember
Don’t forget the following when you try to remove color to ensure that you don’t hurt your skin:
- While implementing a cleaning solution, make sure to not rub too harshly. Be gentle and use a soft, circular motion to coax the color particles away from the skin gently.
- Do not implement ingredients with harsh chemicals on your face. Avoid using dish wash liquid, detergent, or alcohol-based products (unless formulated for this purpose).
- Use wet cotton, cotton swabs, baby wipes, tissue paper, or a gentle towel for cleaning, application, and drying. Refrain from using rough materials like a toothbrush, especially on your face.
- Don’t use shampoo to remove stains within 72 hours of dyeing your hair. Doing so can remove the dye from your hair. When you do finally use it, pick a color-safe shampoo.
- Do not hesitate to consult a hairstylist to get hair dye removed from your skin using professional products. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you can also consult a dermatologist.
Related: How To Remove Hair Dye From Fingernails?
Tips to Prevent Hair Dye from Staining Your Skin and Nails
Removing stains may be easy, but it’s just one extra step in the process of hair dyeing. And you can avoid that easily. Here are some tips to prevent hair dye from staining your skin and hands.
Apply Petroleum Jelly or Oil
Your hairline, ears, forehead, neck, and hands will most likely get stained. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly to these areas to form a barrier against dye stains. You can also use olive oil or mineral oil instead. Oil can be applied on the scalp, too. Here’s a video to help you.
Wear Gloves
Always wear gloves to protect your hands. Hair dye kits usually come with plastic gloves. Or you can buy reusable latex gloves that don’t reduce your hands’ agility.
Wrap a Towel
Wrap a towel around the neck and chest to catch any dye drippings and secure it with a clip or rubber band. Keep it loose enough to ensure it doesn’t restrict your hand movements.
Clean with Tissues or Baby Wipes
Use tissues or wet wipes to blot color dripping down the face or neck. Baby wipes work extremely well for this. Keep wiping away drippings as you go along to prevent colors from setting in.
Use Hair Clips and Shower Cap
Don’t let the colored locks move around and transfer the wet dye everywhere. Instead, twist the locks up and use hair clips to pin them at the top of your head while dyeing. Once done, put a shower cap over the head to catch drippings.
Consult a Professional
The most hassle-free prevention method would be to get your dye job done by a professional. A hairstylist is experienced in dyeing hair with perfection, and they know exactly how to get the job done without stains.
Related: How to Get Hair Dye Off Counter Easily
Final Words: Be Careful and Gentle When Removing Dye Stains
Hair dye isn’t harmful and usually goes away within a week. So it might be ideal to wait for the stains to fade away on their own, especially if they’re not in particularly visible spots. But if you’re uncomfortable with them, you can consult a hairstylist or a dermatologist.
Or, to reduce the pocket pinch, use our solutions. But always do a patch test on your skin to prevent allergic reactions. Apply the solution to a small area and wait. If you don’t experience any skin irritation, you can use it to get hair dye off of your skin easily!