You've successfully dyed your hair a beautiful glossy black color, but it looks like your hands are stained with paint too! Hair dye is easy to remove with soap and water if you act quickly, but what if the stain is already stuck to your skin and nails? There are several ways to remove dye from your skin, but not all of them are suitable for every skin type. Try using a gentle cleanser if you have sensitive skin, or go straight to the harsher treatment to remove heavy blemishes.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Remove Hair Dye Stains with a Gentle Cleanser
Step 1. Act quickly after dye stains your hands
The paint takes a few minutes to stain the skin. Even if the paint has stuck to it, the sooner it is handled, the easier it will be to remove.
- Skin is made up of several layers and when the hair dye soaks into the skin, it stains layer by layer. If you leave the paint on your hands, it will stain more layers of skin and go deeper.
- If the paint is allowed to stain layers of leather, you may need to use more severe methods to remove it and this could damage the leather.
Step 2. Apply a gel-free toothpaste to your hands and rub it in
Toothpaste has harsh ingredients that can clean your teeth, and these ingredients can also exfoliate your skin. Removing dead skin cells on paint-stained hands will reveal new skin underneath, which may not have been stained.
- Rub hands for 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water.
- If your hands are still stained, try scrubbing again, only this time adding a pinch of baking soda.
Step 3. Apply baby oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly and leave it overnight
This is a helpful method especially if you have sensitive skin. The oils will slowly dissolve and break down the dye while softening and moisturizing the skin at the same time.
- Rub the oil on your hands using a cotton ball or damp washcloth.
- Oil can damage your sheets if you touch them while you sleep, so try wearing gloves or even clean socks on your hands while you sleep.
- Use a cotton ball to remove excess oil in the morning and rub it in with warm water.
Step 4. Wash your hands with a mixture of dish soap and baking soda
The dish soap will break down the hair dye and the baking soda will exfoliate the skin. Rinse with warm water to allow the baking soda to bubble, which can help lift the stain from the skin.
Look for dish soap that is gentle on hands and doesn't dry out
Step 5. Rub makeup remover on hands
Since the makeup remover is formulated for the face, it is gentle on the skin. If the stain doesn't go deep into the skin, the makeup remover should be able to dissolve and lift the stain.
- Pour makeup remover on a washcloth or cotton ball and rub the stain. Wait at least five minutes before rinsing.
- Try makeup remover wipes if you have one. The lint in the tissue will slough off dead skin cells and the makeup remover will break down the paint.
Step 6. Purchase a quality paint remover
If you don't want to use home remedies and want to remove like a pro, head to a beauty supply store and buy a hair dye remover made for skin use. You can find this paint remover in the form of a solution or tissue.
Part 2 of 3: Removing Hair Dye Stains the Harder Way
Step 1. Spray hair spray on hands
Hair spray can break the bond between the dye and the skin, thereby removing the dye. The alcohol in hairspray can dry out the skin.
- Spraying hairspray on a cotton ball and then rubbing it on your hands can increase the effectiveness of this treatment. Rubbing hairspray can help it penetrate deeper and the fibers in a cotton ball can help loosen dead skin cells.
- Use warm water to rinse the hairspray from your hands.
Step 2. Mix laundry detergent and baking soda and rub it on the stain
Laundry soap can irritate the skin, but it can work quickly and effectively to break down hair dye. Baking soda adds harsh elements, which exfoliate and remove dead skin cells.
- Use laundry soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio (1 teaspoon of laundry detergent mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda).
- Rub the mixture on the skin for 30-60 seconds.
- Rinse with warm water.
Step 3. Make a paste of cigarette ash and warm water
It may sound strange, but this is an ancient herb that is considered to be very potent. Make sure the cigarette ash is cool and be careful because this method is not good for the skin.
- Mix cooled cigarette ash with warm water in a small bowl, then use a cotton ball to dab the mixture and apply it on the stained skin.
- Wait for 15 minutes. The stain will start to fade.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Step 4. Use nail polish remover if all else fails
The acetone solution in nail polish remover can re-dissolve the hair dye and when it's liquid, it can be removed. Nail polish remover, however, is very harsh on the skin and can cause dry skin and other damage. This solution should not be used around the eyes.
- Dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover and rub it on the stained skin. Try not to rub too hard.
- If you experience a burning sensation, stop immediately and rinse your hands with warm water.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning Nails
Step 1. Soak a cotton ball in the nail remover
Apply it to your nails as soon as the hair dye stains your skin, before it sinks too deep.
- The base of the nail is the dead skin cell that absorbs the most paint easily. Without completely removing the dead skin cells, it is very difficult to remove.
- Rub a cotton ball against your nails and you will see the paint start to stick to the cotton ball.
Step 2. Cut the cuticles if they are exposed to paint
If you have dead skin or cuticles that have discolored from the paint, use a cuticle cutter to carefully remove the skin. This will prevent you from using nail polish remover that is harsh on your skin.
Step 3. Use a nail brush or toothbrush to clean the inside of the nail
If you're having trouble cleaning the inside of your nails, use a clean toothbrush or nail brush to scrub them.
Try soaking the brush in soap and water to remove the paint that has stuck to the skin inside the nail
Step 4. Paint your nails if you can't get rid of the stain
If you've tried everything and your nails are still stained, then it's best to cover them with cute nail polish. Try to be fashionable and at the same time cover blemishes!
Tips
- Apply a coat of petroleum jelly to your hands and skin around your face in case your hands and nails come into contact with the hair dye. This layer acts as a barrier and prevents paint stains.
- Wear gloves when using hair dye so your hands don't get stained with the paint.
