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How to Get Hair Dye Off Your Face

11 Easy Ways on How to Get Hair Dye off Skin

Lia Buki

Photo by Максим Власенко on Unsplash

Dyeing your hair at home can be a great way to save some money and express your creativity. Having purple or rainbow-dyed hair is awesome, but what is less awesome is having these colors dyed on your face. Or for your hands to look like they got in a fight with a toner cartridge. Luckily for you, many, many ladies and gentleman have fought the woes of dye-stained skin before you and have lived to tell the tale.

Their effective method s have spread through the internet, and you now have a plethora of possible options to pick from. So don't panic too much yet. Read what is here, rummage through your cupboards, and get to removing. You may find victory on your first method, or it may take three or four.

Either way, you will be well on your way to looking like your old self in no time. Well, your old self with new awesome hair.

Try not to get too caught up in frustration of it taking a bit of time and effort. Using a gentle approach will lead to better results. With that in mind, read through each one, choose your method of choice, and show that hair dye who is boss.

1. Use Petroleum Jelly

Take a bit of petroleum jelly and massage it onto the stained skin using your fingertips. The petroleum jelly will likely begin changing from clear to the color of the dried dye as it takes it off. If you prefer not to use your hands to avoid dyeing the skin on your fingers, you can use a cotton makeup remover pad instead. Simply apply some petroleum jelly to the pad and move It in circular motions. Afterward, remove any residue with a washcloth.

2. Facial Cleanser

I use a facial cleanser every time after I dye my hair at home. This is actually a good way, and it works. Cleansers are designed to break down all sorts of makeup that contains a lot of pigment. Depending on the type and color of hair dye you use, this may be all it takes to get the job done. Simply apply a bit of a facial cleanser on a cotton ball, rubbing in circular motions over the dyed skin for a few minutes.

Photo by Erik Lucatero on Unsplash

3. Oil

Oil is a much less abrasive method. You can use baby oil or a cooking oil such as olive oil. This method does, however, take much longer. Once the oil is applied to the dyed skin, allow it to sit on the skin for at least eight hours or as long as possible. Leaving it on overnight is best. If you are applying it just to your face, sleep on your back during the night. Otherwise, cover the area with cotton fabric to avoid staining your pillowcase and sheets. If you are removing dyes from your hands, wear a pair of gloves to bed. Remove the oil with soapy water in the morning.

4. Toothpaste and Toothbrush

Toothpaste helps by acting as a stain remover and an abrasive. Just like toothpaste removes stains from your teeth, it can also help to remove stains from your skin. It helps to use a toothpaste that is not gel-based. These usually contain baking soda to act as an additional abrasive. If your skin can handle it, use a new, clean toothbrush to massage the toothpaste into the skin gently. After you're done scrubbing, rinse with warm water.

Important: The Toothpaste method is not recommended for sensitive skin as it might be to agresive and leave a burn mark.

5. Baking Soda and Dish Soap

This method is quite popular. It is also two items that you likely already have around the house. Just like the laundry detergent method, dish detergent is also effective at removing stains. Mix the dish soap with baking soda then apply it to the dyed skin. Use your hands or a washcloth to scrub the solution onto the skin. The baking soda makes this method more physically abrasive to scrub away the top layer of skin. This method can also be repeated many times, if necessary. Stop if your skin becomes uncomfortable from too much exfoliation. Also, be sure to keep this mixture away from possible contact with the eyes.

6. Body Wash and Sugar

If you find your skin responds quickly to more exfoliating-type methods, this one might be your ticket. Use a gentle body wash such as one designed for babies and add a hefty amount of sugar to the solution. Exfoliate the dyed areas and rinse well afterward.

Photo by George Bohunicky on Unsplash

7. Hair Dye Remover Wipes

Several drugstore brands sell packs of wipes that are designed to remove hair dye stains from the skin. Most of them contain soothing properties such as aloe and are based in something stronger, such as isopropyl alcohol. You simply pat the wipe on the skin stains and rinse well to remove any residue afterward. In general, they can work both on permanent hair color as well as semi-permanent. It may be wise to go ahead and pick up a single-use packet of one of these at the drugstore when you go to buy your hair dye for a dollar or two.

8. Hairspray

Hairspray also needs to be used with caution. To do this method, apply hairspray using a cotton ball and rub the stained skin. When you are finished, rinse with warm water. Remove the hairspray immediately at the first sign of any discomfort.

9. WD-40

This next one might be a little surprising to you. While we think of WD-40 for garage use, it is safe on the skin for short periods of time. That being said, this method is recommended more for your hands than your face. If your stains are still being very stubborn, spray some WD-40 onto them and rub them together. Wash hands well afterward. Leaving it on your skin for longer doesn't make it work better in this case, but instead, you would experience some mild irritation.

10. Go to a Professional

Professional salons have special products to remove the hair dye from your skin. If you dyed your hair at home to save some money, it may still be worth it to spend a fraction of the hair dye cost to have it removed by a professional. It may be worth it to save your skin from excessive irritation.

11. Patience

If all else fails, just give it time. Not only is this the safest and most cost-effective method, but sometimes it's the only thing that will do the job. The stains will become lighter and lighter over time and eventually go away completely. While this may sound like torture, remember that your stains may seem much more noticeable to you that to other people. Truthfully, they may not even notice depending on the locations. Plus, it should only take a week or less before the stains have faded completely. You can do it!

Photo by ketan rajput on Unsplash

How to Prevent Hair Dye Stains on Your Skin?

To prevent at-home hair dye from staining your skin before you ever start, apply the following guidelines. First, don't dye freshly washed hair. Dye your hair the second day instead. This allows your scalp's natural oils to act as a barrier. This works because oils repel water, like your water-based hair dye. Next, apply petroleum jelly to the edge of your hairline on the skin.

Alternatively, you can also use a thick lotion or moisturizing cream. Come as close to the hairline as possible without touching the hair. Don't forget to coat your ears too. For your hands, use plastic gloves. Keep them on the whole time, including the first few times you wash your freshly colored hair. Often times, a pair of these gloves will be included in the box of hair dye purchased at the store. Wear an old t-shirt while dyeing your hair. If it is long-sleeved, even better.

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The idea is to cover as much of your skin as possible to avoid potential contact. Protect your neck by wrapping an old towel around your shoulders. You can secure it with a binder clip or clothespin in the front so it won't fall down while you are applying the dye. If any dye does happen to touch your skin, wipe it off as soon as possible.

This is likely to happen at some point no matter how many precautions you take. To get it off effectively, use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. It's best to keep these two things handy while you are dyeing your hair so they can be reached quickly and easily.

After you are finished with the dyeing process, it is a good idea to wear your hair up as much as possible, especially if there is any chance your hair will get wet. This prevents any residual dye from staining your neck or clothing. After you have washed it a few times, you are in the clear.

How to Get Hair Dye Off Your Face

Source: https://medium.com/@polinabir/11-easy-ways-on-how-to-get-hair-dye-off-skin-f40c42cbd71b