How to remove hair dye from your scalp

Dyeing your hair at home is a fun and easy way to change your appearance. However, no matter how skilled you are, hair dye can easily stain your scalp and the hairline. This can be alarming, but there are many products in your bathroom, like toothpaste and makeup remover, that can help treat the stain before it sets in.

Rub baby oil around your ears and hairline before dyeing your hair. Pour about 1 teaspoon (5ml) of baby oil into your palm, then dip your fingers into the oil and rub it along your hairline and around your ears. The oil creates a protective layer that helps prevent the dye from soaking into your skin.

• Be sure not to get the oil on your hair; otherwise, the dye won't be able to penetrate the oil and reach your hair.
• You can also use Vaseline or coconut oil as alternatives to baby oil.

Avoid showering before dyeing your hair to keep the natural oils on your scalp. Moisturize your skin naturally by refraining from showering or washing your face before dyeing your hair. The oil that accumulates around the hairline acts as a barrier to prevent the dye from penetrating your skin.

Wear a protective headband to prevent dye from dripping onto your skin. Use a thin, stretchy headband before you start dyeing your hair. Place it just above your hairline so that it won't get in the way while you apply the dye.

• You should also wear an old, thin towel around your neck to catch any dye that might drip onto your back.
• If you have a hairdresser's cape, you can wear it over the towel to protect your clothes from any dye stains.

Use a cotton swab to apply leftover hair dye to stained areas. Carefully avoid applying dye to clean skin and focus only on the areas where dye has stained your skin. The chemicals in the hair dye will reactivate and help make it easier to clean the existing stains.

• Be cautious not to get the dye in your eyes. You might want to wear protective goggles to shield your eyes and the sensitive skin around them.

Gently rub the hair dye into the stain using a cotton swab for 30-60 seconds. Use a soft, circular motion to work the dye into the stained area. Make sure to rub only within the stain to avoid spreading the dye to the surrounding skin.

• If you notice any irritation on your skin, stop immediately and wash your face with water.

Use an exfoliating facial cleanser and a wet cloth to remove dye from your skin. Squeeze a small amount of facial cleanser, about the size of a pea, onto a wet cloth and gently wipe away the reactivated hair dye from your skin.

• If you don't have an exfoliating cleanser, regular soap will work as well.
• Repeat the process if necessary to fully remove the dye.

Use a cotton swab to apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the stain. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains baking soda, not gel-based toothpaste. Spread the toothpaste evenly over the entire stain and use a tissue to wipe off any excess.

• If you have a soft-bristled old toothbrush, you can use it to scrub the stain. Be cautious when using the toothbrush, as the larger brush head may be difficult to control precisely.
• Instead of toothpaste, you can try vinegar or hairspray. All three methods work similarly, exfoliating the skin to remove the hair dye. Just be careful not to get any of the products in your eyes.

Use a cotton swab to gently rub the toothpaste into the stain for 1 minute. Apply light pressure to avoid irritating your skin. If the cotton swab doesn't seem to be exfoliating the skin, wear gloves and use your fingers to massage the toothpaste onto your skin.

• The grainy texture of the toothpaste combined with the baking soda reaction will help lift the hair dye out of the pores.

Wipe away the toothpaste and hair dye with a wet washcloth. Use an old washcloth that you're not concerned about getting stained. If the stains have disappeared, you can wash your face again with regular facial cleanser and water.

• Repeat the steps if necessary, but avoid overdoing it to prevent skin irritation.

Apply makeup remover to the stain using a cotton swab. Use a thick makeup remover, such as cold cream, to ensure it sticks to your skin. Apply a layer of the cream to the stained area on your scalp and hairline.

• You can also use micellar water, but it might not be as effective.

Gently rub the stain on your skin with the cotton swab for about 1 minute. Massage the makeup remover into the pores in a circular motion. Apply gentle pressure to avoid irritating the skin.

Let the makeup remover sit on your skin for about 5 minutes. The makeup remover will break down the pigments in the hair dye and clean the stain from your skin. Avoid leaving the makeup remover on for more than 5 minutes, as it may cause irritation when mixed with the dye.

• If you notice any irritation during the waiting period, immediately wipe it off and wash your face thoroughly.

Wipe off the makeup remover with a damp cloth and wash your face. Gently wipe off the makeup remover, being careful not to spread it near the eye area. The makeup remover will still contain leftover hair dye, so avoid contact with your eyes.

• Repeat the previous step if needed to fully remove the hair dye from your skin.

Use a cotton swab or gloved finger to apply baby oil to the stain. Pour about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baby oil or a similar light oil, such as coconut oil, into your palm. Dip the cotton swab or gloved finger into the oil and gently rub it in a circular motion over the stain.

• Apply the oil before bedtime to allow it to soak into the skin overnight.

Leave the baby oil on the stain overnight to break down the pigments. Avoid washing your face or touching your face while applying the baby oil. Sleep on your back to prevent the oil from being wiped away.

• Place an old towel on your pillow to protect it from oil stains. Use a towel you don't mind discarding later, as the oil may leave marks.

Wash your face in the morning with warm water and soap to remove the oil. Wash your face as usual with soap. Avoid using exfoliating products, as the hair dye may cause skin irritation.

• Repeat the process the following night if necessary.

• You can also remove hair dye stains from the skin using a little shampoo. Rub the shampoo onto the stained skin, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. This method works best for fresh stains.
• Wear plastic gloves to keep hair dye from transferring onto your hands. This will prevent the dye from spreading to other areas of your skin unintentionally.
• Don’t worry if the stain isn’t completely gone after cleaning. After a few days, your skin's natural oils will break down the dye pigments.

• Don’t use any items near your eyes. If your skin starts to react while you’re trying to clean the dye, stop immediately and rinse with water. See a doctor if the irritation persists.