There’s a reason most schools don’t allow kids to chew bubble gum. Yes, there’s the element of kids sticking chewed-up gum under desks (gross), but also—it seems like everyone has a core memory of a kid in class getting gum stuck in their hair. Unfortunately, that childhood memory often ends the same way: With the embarrassed victim returning to school the next day, a giant chunk of hair irreparably damaged (or missing entirely).
While getting gum stuck in your strands may not be as common an occurrence as elementary school experiences may have led you to believe, it can happen anytime. And if you find yourself in a sticky situation, knowing how to get gum out of your hair without causing damage is crucial for preserving your mane.
That’s where we come in. We tapped Matrix artistic educator and stylist Cory Hoffman for expert tips on how to get gum out of your hair easily. Best of all, you can do it with haircare products you probably already have in your bathroom cabinet. Keep reading to learn how to get gum out of your mane, plus some advice on how to care for your hair after untangling your sticky strands.
Can you wash gum out of your hair?
First things first: Shampoo alone is not enough to remove gum from your hair. While shampoos are formulated to remove oil and product build-up,[1] this shower essential is unlikely to un-stick gum from your strands. Plus, gum isn’t entirely soluble in water[2] —if it was, it would dissolve in your mouth. Introducing hot water to the gum, however, can soften it and make it stickier, which in turn, makes it harder to remove. So, in short, no—you can’t just wash gum out of your hair (we wish it were that straightforward!).
Does toothpaste get gum out of hair?
Back in those elementary school days, you may have heard through the grapevine that toothpaste can be used to get gum unstuck from hair. The idea is that the toothpaste breaks down the gum’s sticky bonds, allowing it to slide right out of your strands. Unfortunately, there’s no hard evidence to support the claim that it works. Plus, toothpaste isn’t made for your hair—some formulas can be abrasive and may even damage your hair. We, therefore, recommend avoiding this old wives’ remedy if you have gum stuck in your hair and instead relying on tried-and-true methods for un-sticking your mane.
What are common mistakes when removing gum from your hair?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what works best, we need to identify what we’re all doing wrong. There’s a long-standing belief (often passed down from your grandma or another older relative) that freezing the gum will harden it, allowing it to be broken apart and removed from the hair easily. While the concept has merit in theory, it doesn’t work in practice—sorry, grandma! Furthermore, Hoffman says freezing your strands can lead to hair breakage, which we’re guessing is something you’d like to avoid. It’s, therefore, not something we’d recommend trying.
Another commonly-recommended method for removing gum is by slathering your strands in peanut butter. While this trick does have some validity to support it—peanut butter is rich in oil, and oil will help the gum slide out—we’d advise keeping the peanut butter for sandwiches and using designated hair oils for your mane instead.
How hard is it to get gum out of hair?
If you’re using the right products (and, more importantly, working slowly), you should be able to remove gum from your hair fairly painlessly. Problems most often occur when you get fed up and start hacking away at your hair with the comb in an effort to dislodge the sticky stuff. Understandably, you’d want to remove the gum as quickly as possible, but patience really is key here. It’s important to note that the gum itself probably won’t cause much damage while it’s just sitting in your hair. However, the friction from rough combing in an effort to dislodge the sticky stuff almost certainly will. That leads us to the ultimate question…
How do you get gum out of your hair without damaging your strands?
Gum in your hair may be frustrating—but it isn’t a straight-to-the-salon situation (usually). Here are four steps to follow for getting gum out of your hair and into the trash where it belongs.
Step 1: Tie back your hair.
The first thing you should do if you get gum tangled in your mane is separate the gummy part from the rest of your strands. Hoffman recommends using a hair elastic to tie the rest of your hair away from the affected area. She also suggests placing a rubber band just above the gum to avoid getting even more of your hair in a sticky situation. This may be tricky if the gum is higher up on your strands, closer to the root. Still, try to isolate the area as best you can to protect the rest of your hair.
Step 2: Coat your strands in hair oil.
One of Hoffman’s favorite methods for removing gum from hair utilizes a product you probably already have on hand: hair oil. She recommends lubricating the affected area liberally to help make your hair slippery. Try using a richer oil, like L’Oréal Professionnel Huile Originale, which contains argan oil, or Kérastase’s marula oil-infused Elixir Ultime L’Huile Original Hair Oil. The oil won’t dissolve the gum, but its slipperiness should help loosen its hold on your tresses. This, in turn, allows you to comb the gum out without too much tugging or pulling. For the best results, try letting the oil sit in your hair for a few minutes before you start combing.[3]
Step 3: Comb your hair (carefully).
Starting at the bottom of your hair and working your way up, begin combing your hair to help loosen (and, hopefully, completely detach) the gum. Remember to work slowly and be patient—as Hoffman explains, gentleness is critical. Since the gum itself is unlikely to cause any significant harm, you don’t want to cause any self-inflicted damage to your locks by combing too quickly or roughly.
Step 4: Add more oil if needed.
You may find that one pass with the oil and comb isn’t quite enough to remove all the gum from your hair. That’s okay! Focus on freeing the strands you can without breaking your hair. Add more oil if needed—you’re going to wash your hair once the gum is out, so there’s no need to worry about your hair looking excessively greasy.
What’s the best way to care for your hair after the gum is out?
If your hair, like you, is a little stressed after removing the gum, the best way to restore your luscious locks is to jump in the shower for an immediate wash and conditioning. From the L'Oréal portfolio of products, we recommend using a clarifying shampoo like the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Clarifying Shampoo. The shine-boosting formula for all hair types helps remove oil, product build-up, and other impurities for stronger-feeling, shiny-looking strands.
After lathering up, restore moisture with a nourishing conditioner, such as Redken All Soft Argan Oil Enriched Conditioner For Dry Hair or Redken Frizz Dismiss Smoothing Sulfate-Free Conditioner. You can even comb through some more hair oil after showering for added softness and shine. Alternatively, treat your over-stressed hair to a little TLC with a deep conditioning mask. The L'Oréal portfolio of products includes plenty of nourishing masks and hair treatments to choose from—opt for one suited to your hair type and concerns.
What if you can’t unstick the gum?
Unfortunately, if you can’t un-stick the gum yourself, you may need to pay a visit to your local hair salon. A professional hairstylist can assist you in getting the gum out of your hair (or, at least, cut it out without completely butchering your mane). Even if they do have to cut your hair to get it out, it’s not the end of the world—think of it as an excuse to get a trendy new haircut.
We strongly recommend going to a professional stylist if you take this route. But, if you do decide to grab the scissors and take a stab at cutting the gum out yourself, below are a few styles we recommend trying depending on where the gum is tangled.
How to Cut Gum Out of Your Hair
Ends: Butterfly Haircut
Gum stuck in your ends isn’t the end of the world (pun intended). Snip out the gum, then use shears to create feathery, face-framing layers that start a few inches below your chin. You’ll be out of a sticky situation—and left with a beautifully bouncy new ‘do.
Mid-Lengths: Wolf Cut
A wolf cut is the perfect in-between length for low-maintenance ladies. Part edgy, part cool, and totally effortless, this style utilizes tons of choppy layers for a shaggy look that complements an array of hair types and textures. Part of its appeal is that it’s a little bit messy, so you don’t need to stress if you’re not a wiz with the scissors.
Roots: Bixie and/or Teeny Weeny Afro (TWA)
If you have gum stuck in your roots and you just can’t get it free, consider it the perfect opportunity to try a Bixie cut or a Teeny-Weeny Afro. Yes, going short can be intimidating, but it’s also supremely liberating, especially if you’re accustomed to longer hair. Make the chop—and next time, maybe swap the gum for mints.
Looking for more expert hair tips? Hair.com has all the professional tutorials and products to keep your mane looking its best.
