Whether you’re at the salon or trying your best with an at-home hair color kit, there’s always a chance that the color will transfer somewhere it’s not supposed to during the process. Most color formulas are meant to grab onto your hair strands and stay there—lasting through washing, exposure to environmental stressors, and heat styling—which can make it tricky to scrub off of your skin. While we tend to advise against DIYing your color with boxed dye, we know that not everybody has the time (or means) to hit the salon every time they want to update their hue. So, what do you do when an accidental splash of black hair dye gets on your skin instead of your roots?
For advice on how to remove hair color from your skin—and how to minimize the chances of it getting there in the first place—keep reading. From the tools you need to remove hair dye from your skin to the right coloring technique to minimize the risk of spills, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn what to do if and when a color crisis occurs.
Good hair day by @jaclynmckenziebeauty.
Can Hair Color Damage Your Skin?
If you’re wondering whether or not hair dye can damage your skin, the answer is that it’s unlikely. So, if your skin was dyed in the process of coloring your hair, there’s no need to panic. While hair dye generally won’t damage your skin, hair color formulas can stain your skin and leave unsightly color splotches behind. What’s more, color around the hairline creates a messy appearance that can ruin the illusion that your hair color is all-natural.
Though extreme damage isn’t likely, we should note that some people are susceptible to a skin reaction known as contact dermatitis, which would make dye-on-skin contact more serious. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dermatitis can cause skin to become red, itchy, or irritated when exposed to chemicals in certain dyes. The symptoms are generally mild, but we always recommend speaking with your doctor if they persist or worsen.
How Long Does Hair Dye Stay on Skin?
A few factors can determine how long hair dye will stay on skin, including your chosen hair color and your skin type. Generally, most temporary hair dyes only stain skin for a few days, gradually fading as you wash your skin and as your skin cells naturally shed. That being said, semi-permanent or permanent dyes may take longer to fade, sometimes lasting for a week or more. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help speed along the process (more on that shortly).
Good hair day by @shaiq_hussain_hairartist_.
How To Prevent Hair Dye Stains
If your goal is to prevent getting any dye on your skin to begin with, we’ve got you covered. Start by applying a moisturizer all over your face before going near hair color (or heading into the salon). Dry skin can absorb hair color much easier than moisturized skin, so stay one step ahead of the game.
It’s also a good idea to lay down a barrier between your skin and any potential dye stains with the help of petroleum jelly. Simply apply a thick layer along your hairline, on the tops of your ears, and on the back of your neck. If any dye spills or splatters, it’ll land on the petroleum jelly, which you can easily wipe off with a washcloth or paper towel.
Finally, make sure you’re covered properly. An old bath towel over your shoulders, rubber gloves on your hands—especially if you’re the one applying the color— and careful color placement can help ensure you end up with your shade in all the right places.
Good hair day by @dremalczewska.
How To Get Hair Dye Off Your Hands
Getting hair dye on your hands is a hazard of the job when DIYing your color (though donning gloves and visiting a pro can help reduce the likelihood of it happening). If you do spot dye staining your palms or fingertips, don’t worry—in many cases, you can reach for simple household products to spot-treat your hands and remove the dye. Here are a few household essentials that can be used to get hair dye off of your hands.
- Nail polish remover: Dab a cotton swab or ball with nail polish remover, then squeeze out any excess liquid. Lightly dab the cotton swab over your stained skin, making sure to pause between dabs to wait for any possible signs of irritation or burning. Continue to blot for up to 30 seconds, then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Dish soap and baking soda: Combine a small amount of baking soda (less than a dime-sized amount) with household dish soap to form a paste. Gently rub the paste onto your stained hands to help remove the dye, then rinse with warm or hot water.
- Dry paper towel: Mopping up a dye spill with a wet towel may press the dye further into your skin. Instead, quickly clean up droplets and splashes by dabbing the dye with a dry paper towel. Note that this works best when done immediately after spilling the dye—if the color has time to dry, you’ll likely get better results with one of the other methods outlined here.
How To Get Hair Dye Off Your Face or Hairline
Those working in front of their bathroom mirrors to produce salon-like color results should take as many precautions as possible to ensure they don’t end up covered in dye. On the off chance that you’re reading this two-thirds of the way into a home dye job, however, there are still steps you can take to remove the unwanted color from the more sensitive skin on your forehead, scalp, and ears.
- Soap and water: When cleaning up a dye mishap, start with the most obvious and less abrasive solution: Wash your skin (using a face cleanser and warm water). Apply it at first with your hands and then use a face towel to gently exfoliate the skin, if needed.
- More hair dye: It sounds counterintuitive, but according to professional stylists, hair dye can sometimes help remove hair dye. Applying wet dye over dry dye may help “lift” the color, making the stain disappear.
- Makeup remover: Makeup remover is designed for use on the face, so it’s a great option for those looking to remove dye spills from the delicate skin around their eyes, nose, or mouth. Apply your go-to makeup remover to the affected area, using a clean cotton ball to gently work the formula into your skin. Then, rinse with water, or follow up with micellar water to ensure the area is completely clean.
- Toothpaste: This bathroom staple is more versatile than you may think. To remove hair dye stains, you’ll want to opt for an opaque toothpaste (in other words, a non-gel formula). Apply it to the affected area, then let it sit for between five and 10 minutes. Once the time is up, remove the toothpaste (and hopefully the dye) with a washcloth and warm water.
- Coconut oil: You probably know coconut oil is great for your hair, but may not be aware that it can help remove unwanted hair dye stains. Simply rub a dime-size amount of coconut oil in circular motions around the stained spot to remove the color in minutes.
Good hair day by @hair.julierussita.
What Is the Fastest Way To Remove Hair Dye From Skin?
If you want to leave the experimentation to your color choice and are simply looking for the most efficient way to remove hair dye from skin, there are three highly-effective ways to tackle the issue.
- Clarifying shampoo: If hair dye is lingering on your scalp, and you’re trying to determine how to get red hair dye off of skin or even how to remove dark hair color from skin, use a clarifying shampoo. After following all hair color application directions, wait the appropriate time after dyeing to wash hair. When you do, use a clarifying shampoo, as they are known to contain powerful cleansing agents and can help rid your hair of unwanted buildup, including excess dye.
- Rubbing alcohol: When gentle household cleansers don’t do the trick, try your hand at applying rubbing alcohol. Similar to nail polish remover, this solution can be abrasive or drying when overused. Using a cotton ball or Q-tip for smaller areas, dab (don’t rub) the formula onto affected areas. Be sure to keep the rubbing alcohol away from sensitive areas like your eyes or mouth.
- Body scrub: Speed up your skin’s natural exfoliation process by using a body scrub to (gently!) buff the affected area. Keep in mind that body scrubs should only be used on your body—avoid any delicate areas, such as your face or neck.
Remember, next time you set out to dye your hair, take a few precautions before coloring your hair that will make it much less likely you’ll need a fix. But, as always, we’re here to help if you do.
Next Up: The 37 Best Hair Colors for Pale Skin To Try Now
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Header photo credit: @salonfryzjerski.basia.
