How to Remove Hair Dye from Skin

Stained skin is an unfortunate risk that comes with dying your own hair. Fortunately, it's easy to remove stain from your fingers, hairline, ears or anywhere you dropped dye. Loosen the pigment with more hair color, baking soda, or a household product before you rinse it away. If you work before the dye sets, the stain should wash away quickly. If not, just repeat the method or try another one!

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Using Hair Dye to Lift the Color

1. Rinse your skin with water and put on gloves if you want to protect your hands. If you're trying to remove dye from your hands, you don't need to cover them, but gloves are a good idea if you want to get rid of stains near your hairline or scalp.^[1]
   
2. Massage some of the hair dye into the stained skin for 2 to 3 minutes. Scoop up a coin-sized amount of leftover hair dye with your gloved fingers and spread the dye onto the stained skin. If you're trying to get rid of stained skin on your hands, just dip your bare fingers into the dye. Then, rub the dye into the stained skin for 2 to 3 minutes.^[2]
   
   
   • By applying the dye to your skin, you're reactivating the dye so you can lift it and rinse it away.
3. Wipe off the hair dye with a soapy washcloth. Rub some dish or hand soap into a damp washcloth until it's foamy. Use this to carefully remove the hair dye from your skin. Keep wiping until you've removed the dye.^[3]
   
   
   • Don't worry if you leave traces of soap on your skin.
4. Rinse the skin with water to remove the soap and hair dye. Hold your skin under warm running water until all of the soap and dye are washed away. If you prefer, you can soak a clean washcloth with water and use it to rinse your skin instead.^[4]
   
   
   • If you still see a stain, you may need to do this again or try a new method.

[Edit]Removing Stains with a Baking Soda Paste

1. Put equal parts of baking soda and liquid dish soap into a dish. For example, scoop 2 tablespoons (24 g) of baking soda into a small bowl and pour in of gentle liquid dish soap.^[5]
   
   
   • Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can scrub away dead skin cells and the hair dye pigment.
   • If you have it, use a dish soap that contains lemon since this may help lift the stain.
2. Stir the mixture to create a paste. Use a spoon or small whisk to combine the baking soda with the soap. Keep stirring until the baking soda dissolves and forms a smooth paste.^[6]
   
   
   • You can use the leftover paste as a deep cleaner for your kitchen or bathroom. For example, scour your sink or shower tiles with the mixture.
3. Rub the paste onto the stained skin for 1 to 2 minutes. Use your fingers to apply the paste to your skin in a circular motion. Keep rubbing so the baking soda can break up the dye.^[7]
   
   
   • The paste may become discolored as it begins to loosen the dye.
4. Wipe off the paste using a damp washcloth. Dip a washcloth in warm water and wring it out. Then, swipe the cloth over your skin to remove the baking soda paste. You may need to rinse the washcloth a few times to get most of the paste off.^[8]
   
   
   
   • If you don't have a washcloth, you can use damp cotton balls or pads.
5. Rinse your skin with warm water. Hold your skin under the tap and wipe it gently with your hands to remove all traces of the dye. Continue to rinse the skin until you don't feel residue from the baking soda paste on your skin.^[9]
   
   
   
   • You can repeat this if your skin still looks stained, but you may want to wait a few minutes. Your skin might just be a little irritated from all the rubbing.

[Edit]Trying a Household Product

1. Get out detergent, oil, or toothpaste. You can use laundry detergent, dish soap, baby oil, olive oil, or toothpaste to lift the dye from your skin. Try to find fragrance-free soaps to avoid irritating your skin.^[10]
   
   
   
   • If the dye is on your face, use oil or toothpaste first since these are less likely to bother the sensitive skin on your face.
   • Any toothpaste will work, but one with baking soda in it may be more effective at loosening the dye.
2. Rub the soap, oil, or toothpaste into a damp washcloth. Hold a clean washcloth under cold water and then wring out most of the liquid. Squirt a coin-sized amount of your cleaning product into the cloth and rub it a little to distribute it.^[11]
   
   
   • If you're trying to remove just a few drops of dye, you could put a small spot of cleaning product onto a moistened cotton ball instead of a washcloth.
3. Massage the product onto your stained skin and wait for 1 to 2 minutes. Gently rub the washcloth onto the stain to help break up the dye. This will make it easier to rinse off. If the stain has set or is very dark, you can leave the product on your skin for 1 to 2 minutes.^[12]
   
   
   • Avoid scrubbing harshly because you could irritate or damage your skin.
4. Rinse your skin to remove the dye. If you can, hold your skin under the tap and run warm water to get rid of the product and the dye. If you can't stick the skin under running water, get out another clean washcloth and soak it in water. Use this wet cloth to wipe away all traces of the dye and product.^[13]
   
   
   • If you still see the dye once your skin dries, you may need to do this again or try a different household product.

[Edit]Tips

• To prevent dye from staining your skin in the first place, rub a little petroleum jelly near your hairline and ears. Once you've finished dying your hair, you can wash the petroleum jelly away.^[14]
• Try to remove the hair dye as soon as you can since the longer it sits, the harder it will be to get off.
• If you still can't get the dye off of your skin, go to a beauty school, hair stylist, or dermatologist since they have products to easily remove dye.

[Edit]Warnings

• All of these materials can cause irritation if they get into your eyes. Immediately flush your eyes with water if you accidentally get any of these materials into your eyes.
• If your skin starts to tingle, burn, or feel irritated as you use one of the solutions described here, immediately rinse the area with water.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Using Hair Dye to Lift the Color

• Hair dye
• Washcloth
• Soap
• Gloves, optional

[Edit]Removing Stains with a Baking Soda Paste

• Baking soda
• Liquid dish soap
• Small dish
• Spoon or whisk
• Washcloth
• Vinegar, nail polish remover, or makeup remover, optional

[Edit]Trying a Household Product

• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Baby oil
• Olive oil
• Toothpaste
• Washcloth

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-of-skin
2. ↑ https://youtu.be/CNSAY0PPGDo?t=56
3. ↑ https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-of-skin
4. ↑ https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-of-skin
5. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/fashion-beauty/hairstyles/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-skin
6. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/hair-dye-skin-coloring-hair-home/
7. ↑ https://stylecaster.com/beauty/hair-dye-skin-coloring-hair-home/
8. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/fashion-beauty/hairstyles/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-skin
9. ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/fashion-beauty/hairstyles/how-to-get-hair-dye-off-skin
10. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a4503/how-to-remove-hair-dye/
11. ↑ https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-remove-hair-dye
12. ↑ https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-remove-hair-dye
13. ↑ https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/hair/advice/a4503/how-to-remove-hair-dye/
14. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a26077527/how-to-remove-hair-dye-skin-face/