Buzz
Getting hair dye on your skin is a common issue when you dye your hair at home. Thankfully, it's easy to remove dye from fingers, hairlines, ears, or any skin area. You can clean the stain with more dye, baking soda, or a cleaning product from your home before rinsing. The dye will come off easily if it's not dried. If it has dried, repeat the process or try an alternative method.
Steps
Use hair dye remover
Use water to rinse the stained skin and wear gloves if you want to protect your hands. If you're removing dye from your hands, gloves aren't necessary, but they're recommended when removing dye near your hairline or scalp.
Tip: If the dye has stained your hairline or scalp, it's best to wait until you're done coloring your hair before removing the dye from your skin.
Apply a bit of dye to the stained area for about 2-3 minutes. Using gloved hands, take a small amount of leftover dye (about the size of a coin) and apply it to the stained skin. If you're cleaning your hands, just dip your fingers into the dye. Gently rub the dye on the stained area for about 2-3 minutes.
- By applying dye to the stain, you'll moisten the dry dye, making it easier to remove.
Wipe off the dye with a soap-soaked cloth. Add a little dishwashing liquid or hand soap to a cloth and wring it until it foams. Carefully use the cloth to clean the dye off your skin. Continue until the dye is gone.
- Don’t worry if you leave soap streaks on your skin.
Rinse off the soap and dye. Hold the stained skin under warm water until all the soap and dye are washed off. You can also use a cloth soaked in water to clean your skin.
- If dye remains on your skin, repeat the process or try a different method.
Remove the dye with a thick baking soda paste.
Mix equal parts baking soda and dish soap in a small bowl. For example: take 2 tablespoons (25g) of baking soda and place it in a small bowl, then add 2 tablespoons (approximately 30ml) of a mild dish soap.
- Baking soda is a gentle cleaner that can help remove dead skin cells and hair dye stains.
- If you have a dish soap with lemon essence at home, you can use that to clean the dye stains as well.
Alternative method: For a quick and effective solution without using soap, dip a cotton ball in vinegar, nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, or makeup remover, then gently rub it on the stained skin. This works well for small, fresh stains.
Stir to create a thick paste. Use a spoon or small whisk to mix the baking soda with the dish soap. Keep stirring until the baking soda dissolves and a smooth, thick paste forms.
- You can use the leftover paste for cleaning around the kitchen or bathroom, like scrubbing the sink or bathroom tiles.
Gently rub the paste onto the stained skin for 1-2 minutes. Use your fingers to apply the paste in circular motions. Continue rubbing gently to let the baking soda lift the dye.
- The paste will change color as the dye begins to lift off your skin.
Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth. Dampen a cloth with warm water, wring it out, and use it to wipe the baking soda mixture off your skin. You may need to rinse the cloth several times to remove all of the paste.
- If you don’t have a cloth, cotton balls or cotton pads soaked in water work as well.
Rinse the skin with warm water. Hold the stained area under running water and gently rub the dye off with your hands. Continue rinsing until you feel no more baking soda residue on the skin.
- If dye remains, you can repeat the process, but wait a few minutes before doing so. The scrubbing may cause slight skin irritation.
Try using products you have at home
Use laundry detergent, oil, or toothpaste. You can use laundry detergent, dish soap, baby oil, olive oil, or toothpaste to lift the dye from your skin. Look for an unscented soap to avoid skin irritation.
- If the dye is on your face, apply oil or toothpaste first, as these are less likely to irritate sensitive facial skin.
- Any toothpaste will work, but toothpaste with baking soda will be more effective at removing dye stains.
Diana Yerkes
Senior Aesthetician, Rescue Spa NYC
Senior Aesthetician, Rescue Spa NYC
Looking for more options? Aesthetician Diana Yerkes suggests that micellar water can also be effective at removing dye from your skin. Additionally, if you get your hair colored at a salon, ask if they have a dye-removal cotton pad. However, it's best to avoid the hassle by using protective products that prevent dye from staining your skin before dyeing your hair.
Apply soap, oil, or toothpaste to a damp cloth. Start by wetting a clean cloth with cold water, then wring it out. After that, add a coin-sized amount of the cleaning product onto the cloth and rub it in until it’s evenly distributed.
- If you need to clean only a small stain, you can also use a wet cotton ball instead of a cloth.
Massage the cleaning product onto the stained skin and wait for 1-2 minutes. Gently rub the cloth over the stained area to help lift the dye. This method will make it easier to remove the dye. If the dye has dried or is deeply set, leave the product on for 1-2 minutes.
- Be gentle while rubbing to avoid irritation or damaging the skin.
Rinse off the dye. If possible, place the stained area under warm running water to wash off the cleaning product and the dye. If you can’t run water over the area, wet a clean cloth and use it to wipe off the dye and the product.
- If any dye remains after drying, you’ll need to repeat the process or try a different product.
Tip
- To prevent dye from staining your skin while dyeing your hair, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly along your hairline and around your ears. After finishing your hair dyeing, you can easily wash off the petroleum jelly.
- Try to remove the dye as soon as possible, as the longer it sits, the harder it will be to clean off.
- If you’re still unable to remove the dye, consider visiting a hair salon, beauty clinic, or dermatologist, as they have products that can effectively remove the dye.
Warning
- All ingredients in this guide can cause irritation if they come into contact with your eyes. Immediately rinse your eyes with water if any of these ingredients accidentally get in.
- If your skin begins to sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable while using any of the methods mentioned above, rinse your skin immediately with water.
What You’ll Need
Use hair dye
- Hair dye
- Cloth
- Soap
- Gloves (optional)
Remove hair dye with a thick baking soda paste
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Small bowl
- Spoon or whisk
- Cloth
- Vinegar, nail polish remover, or makeup remover (optional)
Try using common household products
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap
- Baby oil
- Olive oil
- Toothpaste
- Cloth
