How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin

Even after studying and mastering the DIY hair dyeing art, mistakes are inevitable. Also, despite your being extra attentive, it’s likely some dye will find its way on to your skin – commonly your hands, hairline, neck, ears, or even scalp.

Colorful patches on your skin can make the entire idea of dyeing the hair seem useless. Want to know how to remove hair dye from skin? As always, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more.

Can Hair Dyes Harm Your Skin?

Some hair dyes contain significant amounts of chemicals that can be absorbed into your body via the skin.

Hair dyes containing paraphenylenediamine as a core ingredient are likely to trigger swelling, redness, and scaling once they find their way to your neck, scalp, or face.

The dyes can worsen the condition for those suffering from psoriasis or eczema. So, it’s not just about the unsightly and annoying looks, but the effect they may have on your skin health.

How Long Can Dyes Last on Your Skin?

Dyes can last on your skin for as long as they’re not cleaned. Temporary dyes won’t last long as they will fade away even if you don’t wash the area often. As for permanent dyes, professional input is needed to make the process a success.

How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin – Available Methods

Removing hair dye from the skin doesn’t need to be a complicated or risk process. However, depending on the toxicity of the chemical content of the solution or product you use in removing the dye, there are maybe risks involved.

Liquid laundry detergent

Hair dyes stick firmly to your skin, and for you to remove it, you should apply a chemical solution capable of breaking the dye’s chemical bonds to make it removable.

Liquid laundry detergents use the mechanism they use in removing stains on fabrics to remove hair dye on the skin.

Some detergents contain fragrances and dyes and may lead to abrasion. Consider safer and friendlier detergents, and ensure you apply it evenly around the stained skin area using your fingers.

Chemical infused detergents can have severe effects if they come into contact with your eyes, so apply carefully.  Warm water can fasten the liquefying process, so consider adding some alongside the liquid laundry.

Gently blot the dyed area on your skin until the dye fades. Don’t over-scrub your skin as that could cause bruises and injuries.

Baking soda and dish soap

Another best way to clean off hair dye stains from your skin is by use dish soap and baking soda. Mix equal amounts of baking soda and dish soap and stir to mix it well. 

The dish soap’s purpose is to lift the stains, while the baking provides an abrasive effect. The baking soda reveals new skin layers as you rub up the stained skin cells.

Once you have the mixture ready, apply it to the dye-stained skin surface. Use your makeup remover to scrub and remove the dyed skin cells. Allow the skin to heal for some minutes after scrubbing before you rinse it with warm water.

In the event you experience a burning sensation or discomfort, stop the rinsing. Repeat the process several times until all the dye-stained skin cells are removed.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Look for non-gel toothpaste and a gentle bristled toothbrush. Toothpaste is a more economical alternative to hair dye removers. 

Apply some toothpaste on the skin surface stained with the hair dye and rub it with your finger until it spreads over the stained skin area. 

Keep on rubbing the toothpaste and until more until the skin is removed.

You can use a toothbrush with gentle bristles instead of your fingers. After you’ve scrubbed the surface for some minutes, rinse it off using warm water.

Olive or baby oil

Another safe and effective way for how to remove hair dye from skin is by using baby oil or olive oils. Oils work by breaking the dye particles to soften the dye-stains and make them easy to scrub off.

Apply olive or baby oil on the stained skin surface and rub it using your fingers. Allow the oil to sit on the affected area for some time.

That will allow it to soak into the stain and skin, ensuring that it can be quickly scrubbed off. After scrubbing the dye-stained surface, rinse it using running water.

You may want to apply some soap or shampoo to enhance the quality of the results.

Nail polish remover

Nail polish remover can clean off the hair-dyed stain in minutes but can have severe effects on your skin.

Nail polish removers such as acetone can trigger severe burns, making you uncomfortable.

If it comes into contact with your eyes, it can cause severe injuries.

Soak cotton in the nail polish remover for some time. Now, squeeze the excess nail polish contents and apply it to your stained skin.

Allow it to stay for some minutes and then rub it with the cotton ball. To avoid skin injuries, don’t let it sit there for long before you rinse it with warm water.

Petroleum jelly

In cleaning off dye-stained skins, petroleum jelly can also do an excellent job.

Apply the jelly on the stained skin surface and rub it gently in circular motions.

Doing this for some time will wear off the dye, making it fall. 

Once you’re sure the stain is totally removed, use a cotton ball or soft washcloth to clean it off.

Petroleum jelly is safe and friendly to your skin, but you must ensure it doesn’t come into direct contact with your eyes.

Also, here’s all you need to know about hair extensions.

How to Remove Hair Dye From Skin – Conclusion

Safety and efficiency should be core considerations when determining how to remove hair dye from skin.

You wouldn’t want to expose your skin to the risk of injuries and burns.

Check out each of the methods we suggested and settle for one that suits you based on your skin type and safety concerns.