How to get hair dye off skin without causing irritation
So you’ve learnt how to dye your hair at home and slapped hair colour on leaving leftover dye behind. Enter: how to get hair dye off your skin in a frantic Google search. We’re guessing you’re in need of some help in that area if you’re here? Before you attempt to cover them with your best concealer, know that you have a few options when it comes to safely removing hair dye stains. You’ve come to the right place.
While we’ll always recommend you visit a colourist to get the best job possible — that way you can also try the best hair trends 2023 has to offer — sometimes needs must and at-home hair dye is necessary to get the job done fast. Although we can’t guarantee your at-home colouring session will give you in-salon results, we can help you avoid the dreaded stains along your hairline.
Now, there are some suggestions circulating online (we’re looking at you, TikTok) that definitely wouldn’t recommend; WD-40, hand sanitiser and nail polish remover to name a few. The skin along your hairline is delicate and deserves to not be scrubbed to oblivion with harsh chemicals. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to remove hair dye from your hairline and skin and we called in the help of two top hair experts to give us the facts and tips.
Meet the experts:
Luke Benson, celebrity hairdresser and owner of Luke Benson Hair
Edward James co-founder of The Hair Consult and salon owner
How to get hair dye off skin
First: don’t panic! When you see vibrant stains all over your skin and hairline, it’s easy to go into a bit of a frenzy, but there are plenty of ways you can remove hair dye from your skin.
Using more hair dye
When it comes to removing hair dye from the skin, the answer might surprise you. “It sounds really odd but colour actually removes colour from the skin,” says Luke. “So if you rub the colour that is on the skin, it will help to remove it,” — who knew! He reminds us to, “do this before it is wet, once wet it won’t work.”
Makeup remover
Yep, our trusty eye makeup remover might just do the trick. “I have found it better at removing demi-permanent colour stains rather than permanent,” says Edward. We'd also recommend giving your best cleansing oil a whirl.
Milk
Yes, milk can remove hair dye stains. “In the salon, I will often use milk to remove stains, it works wonders,” says Edward. “I have tried non-dairy milk and it doesn’t work as effectively as dairy, but it really does shift the stain and is gentle on your skin.” Pop this on a cotton pad and gently work into the stained area. Of course, this is one to avoid if you have a dairy allergy.
Bicarbonate of soda paste
Another way you can remove stains is using “bicarbonate of soda with a small amount of water to create a paste,” says Edward. “Gently scrub the stained area with the paste using a soft cloth or cotton pad; rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary,” he adds.
Gentle exfoliation
If all of the above isn’t working and the stains are stubborn or have dried, “I would recommend a very gentle exfoliation using a facial buffing pad or an exfoliating facial cleanser, but do go gently as you don’t want to scratch or irritate the skin,” Edward says. This is particularly true if you have sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea or eczema where skin is more prone to irritation.
Alongside this, you can also try really emulsifying the dye before you rinse it off. Ever noticed at the hairdressers, they really massage the colour in before rinsing it off and as they’re shampooing? You can do the same at home and you might be surprised how much the stains along the hairline lifts with just that extra effort emulsifying the colour.
How to get rid of dye stains on your hands and nails
If you haven’t used gloves, you'll probably have some dye in and around your nails, especially if you have artificial nail extensions or longer nails. First step is to thoroughly wash your hands and remove any excess hair dye that can further stain your skin. You can also use an exfoliating hand wash to get stains out of your skin.
Next, get your hands on (pardon the pun!) some acetone nail polish remover. Go over your entire nail with a cotton pad, then saturate some of the fluff inside the cotton pad, wrap around an orange wood stick and go underneath the nails and along the cuticles. If the hair dye has dried, you might have to do this a few times before completely removing it. Try to be as gentle and patient as possible so you don’t dry out the nails and skin surrounding them. Follow this up with one of the best hand creams and cuticle oil to prevent further drying.
Having said that, hair dye stains happen even to those most careful. Both of our experts agree that the best way to do this is with barrier cream. These can either be specifically made creams or Vaseline or coconut oil. Although great, they’re not miracle workers. Still be sure to “wipe off any excess dye immediately to minimise staining just to be cautious as the dye can still stain slightly if left for a long period,” says Edward. In addition to this, Luke warns: “you have to be careful when applying that you don’t go on some of the hair and then cause a block for where the colour needs to cover.” It’s also worth noting that moisturised skin doesn’t drink up dye so easily, so keep skin around your head well hydrated beforehand.
It’s also important to wear gloves throughout the process, “this saves a whole lot of time cleaning stains,” says Edward. “I also recommend if you are colouring your hair at home to have some wet-wipes handy to quickly remove any splashes on the skin and use 2 mirrors to check the back of your head, hairline and ears to make sure that there are no colour disasters happening behind your back.”
What hair dye stain removal methods should you avoid?
The internet is a weird and wonderful place, and it’s also home to terrible beauty advice at times. This includes instructing people on using hand sanitiser and nail polish remover to get rid of hair dye stains. That’s absolutely not necessary. “I would warn anyone not to use nail varnish remover or hand sanitiser alcohol gel; they are far too harsh to use on your facial skin and can cause a lot of irritation,” Edward explains.
If you’ve tried all of the above and the stains aren’t shifting, visit your hairdresser! Sure, they might give you a slap on the wrist for doing a box dye instead of seeing them but they’re always on hand to help — and that’s why we love them.
How to prevent hair dye stains in the first place
Putting it simply, the best way to avoid hair dye stains is to apply your hair colour precisely in the first place. Taking the extra time to use a brush at home and paint the colour on can actually save you a lot of time in the clean up process. “It's all about prepping the skin and hairline well beforehand,” Edward says.