Getting Hair Dye Off Skin

It happens, you are dyeing your hair and either didn't wear gloves or accidentally get some on the skin around your hairline. This is a guide about getting hair dye off skin.

Solutions: Getting Hair Dye Off Skin

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Getting Hair Dye Off Skin

I used my son's Johnson & Johnson baby body wash the one in the yellow bottle, then I added a bit of sugar to make a light scrub. Within seconds all the hair dye came off my skin, I now make a batch and use it as a body scrub once a week and my skin is super soft.

By sarahlegault827

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Simple Green And Baking Soda For Hair Dye On Skin

Over the years, I have dyed my hair everything from bright pink to blue black. Along the way, I have also accidentally dyed by ears, my neck,my arms and many other body parts, I won't mention. After trying all of the normal methods, I found that the best way to get dried hair dye off of skin is with a combo of Simple Green and baking soda. Not only will it cut through the dye like a hot knife through butter but it will give you a great exfoliation as well!

Keep in mind though, that although the Simple Green is a nontoxic biodegradable cleaner, it will strip your hair of any color. So keep it on the skin and off the hair unless you want blond roots! ;) Hope this helps!

By Roxanne from Richmond, TX

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Questions

Here are questions related to Getting Hair Dye Off Skin.

Removing Hair Dye from Hands

My sister just dyed her boyfriend's hair and got hair dye all over her hands. She tried bleach, toothpaste and baking soda, and this special salon product made to take off dye, but nothing worked.

Men's hair dye is stronger and different from women's. It is harder to take off because it is much stronger. That is why you only leave it on for 5 minutes, unlike for women's hair dye which has to stay on fro 10 minutes. Anyway, what can she use to get men's hair dye off hands, eye brows, and head? Please help.

By lal22

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By Anonymous08/27/2010

First, men's hair color is not stronger than womens hair color. The difference in hair colors is the strength of the 'developer' (Lower volume developer covers more quickly and permanently because it doesn't 'lift' but rather 'deposits' the color). In any event here's the advice I gave to someone else today but the difference in advice for you is to not use on the eyebrows themselves or scalp or those hairs will be greatly lightened:

First, it doesn't make a bit of difference how much of a dark/darker color (paint as you call it) was mixed because it would have stained your hands no matter what because you didn't wear gloves. ;-) Since the Clean Touch you tried didn't work then go back to the beauty supply and get 40% volume hydrogen peroxide because it has the highest 'lift' (don't even bother with the 3% volume you get at the pharmacy). Wet your dry hands down well with it and 'lightly' rub a dub dub for a minute or two. You may need to repeat another time or two but it will get rid of most, if not all, of the stain. Wash your hands afterward and use some lotion while your hands are still damp so your skin is moisturized. I was a hairstylist for 35 years and my specialty was as a chemical technician.

Removing Hair Dye from Skin

I dyed my boyfriend's hair and he has hair dye all on his forehead and ears. We have tried everything to get it off; any other tips?

By Rebecca

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By Tootsie May03/28/2013

I get my hair colored at the local beauty school. They use something called Sea Breeze on a cotton ball. Works great. You can buy it at any drug store or Walmart.

Getting Hair Dye Off of Skin

How do you get hair dye off your face?

By June from Gateshead

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By K9cats10/07/2011

Hello... This sounds silly but... Cigarette ashes work great! I went to beauty school (back in the day), and this is what they taught us to use. It works every time. Good luck

Removing Hair Dye from Hands

How do I remove dark purple hair dye from my hands?

By Robin O.

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By PDG06/09/2011

Don't know if this will work, but it removed self-tanner that had turned the palms of my hands orange.Try soaking them in a little Clorox. Then wash well. You may have the smell a little while. lemon juice may help cut it.

Getting Red Hair Dye Off Your Forehead

I've dyed my hair and now I have a red ring of dye still on my head. How do I remove it? I need help ASAP!

By Jaki from London

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By ble37305/12/2012

We learned the hard way. Once it sets, hand lotion works best.

Removing Hair Dye from Hands

Last night I dyed my hair black and I was in such a rush that I didn't even realize I hadn't put the gloves on. Now my hands and nails are dyed black. I've gotten some of it off, but there's still some there that I can't get. How do I get the rest off?

By Deja from Goliad, TX

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Most Recent Answer

By FC102/11/2012

A few thoughts:

**IF** your hair dye smells like ammonia, you could try using a weak ammonia solution: put 1 or 2 capsful in a quart of warm water and wash your hands with that. Ammonia's fairly toxic, and it'll be really hard on your skin, so if it doesn't come off quickly, don't leave your hands soaking in it for long. Rinse REALLY thoroughly and moisturize the heck out of them afterwards. They'll need it.

You could also try coating your hands with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, letting that soak in for a bit, and seeing if the dye comes off when wiped on a paper towel or washed with soap.

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach and safe to use on skin. Dump a bottle into a bowl and soak your hands for a while.

Worst-case scenario, nothing works: Paint your fingernails *black or navy blue, and every few days, scrub your hands with a paste of sugar and vegetable oil before washing them with soap. That'll get rid of the dead skin cells on your hands, and speed up the fading of the dye as the new skin comes to the surface. As a bonus, your hands will feel like silk afterwards.

Good luck!

*I'm suggesting colors that won't contrast a lot with the dyed skin, which is not true of, say, dark red.

Fishercat

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my mother's hair and I got it all over the side of her face, hairline and ears. I need to know how to get it off. Please help me.

Thank you,
Deanna

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

You can purchase a color remover from any beauty supply that will remove the stain. You can also try scrubbing with a mixture of baking soda and shampoo although this won't work as well. Good luck! (04/27/2005)

By Annie

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I am a stylist and I use a thick conditioner around the hairline and ears as a preventative measure, vaseline may be used also, you can go to a beauty supply house that sells to the public and purchase dye remover for the skin, I looked on the bottle of mine and the main ingredient was isopropyl alcohol but if she is elderly it could be harsh on her skin, also it will fade in a week or so just with regular showering. (04/27/2005)

By Linda

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I use cigarette ashes. Just add a little water to the ashes and rub them into the stains. I heard this one from a hairdresser. Just have to find someone that smokes and get some ash. (04/27/2005)

By emain

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I'm a hair dresser, not much will get color off the skin but a little time. Next time you color your hair or someone else's, save a little color left over in the bottle. When it is time to take the color off,u se the left over and color around the hair line and rub it in a circular motion just before you shampoo the color off. Color removes color. (04/27/2005)

By Priscilla

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I have also heard of people spreading a thin veil of vaseline along the hairline before starting which should prevent the problem you mention. (04/28/2005)

By Claudia

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

You guys should try scrubbing lemon juice on it and tooth paste. It works like a magic remover! (05/29/2005)

By bookworm

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Since everyone said toothpaste and alcohol I tried Listerine. It worked better than nothing, that's for sure. (03/19/2006)

By Becky

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Use a little lime juice and baking soda if you want to get it out but next time put a little wax on the hair line and it will never get on the skin (03/20/2006)

By soccer krazed loves red hair

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Tooth paste worked for me. thanks alot! (03/23/2006)

By Connie

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Thank you so much for the lemon juice and toothpaste trick. My husband and I thought it was a joke but were willing to try anything to get BLACK dye off of our faces, neck, ears, etc and sure enough it got the dye off in most places and greatly diminished it in others. THANK YOU! (03/25/2006)

By Allicat

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

We tried goof-off, alcohol, aloe, astringent, cream and the only thing that worked (and very fast) was bleach. We followed this with a good soap wash and rinse (of skin area) followed by a face cream. (06/02/2006)

By Sheryl

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just dyed my hair 2 weeks ago and got it on my skin. I used laundry stain remover and it got it all off. It doesn't burn or make your skin red or break out either. I hope this helps. (06/15/2006)

By Heather Dooley

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

The best way i've found to get hair dye off skin is this: in a small container, dump about a tablespoon or more of baking soda, add a little bit of water, and a little dish soap. fold up a paper towel and gently scrub the area about 3 times. wipe off with a wet paper towel... no more stained skin! (06/16/2006)

By JesseTaylor

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just use soap and water and it usually comes right off or use shampoo when I am washing and rinsing my hair with no problem. (06/16/2006)

By miraclelady50

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Well, I just finished dying my hair black and it was on the back of my neck and ears. But, just as I read some of you'll responses about the toothpaste well it did work. Therefore, all I did was just put it on for a minute and than wiped off with warm water. Thanks for the tip. (06/16/2006)

By K.Wash

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I tried toothpaste and lemon juice. For dry skin unfortunately bleach is all that worked for me. But it really works and very fast. I think people with oily skin have better luck with all these other options. Put vaseline on your skin prior to dying (my mom's old remedy) she told me after. (06/20/2006)

By Beanies Mom.

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

For years I used cigarette ashes and it ALWAYS worked then I didn't have the problem for years and years. Now I want to use the cigarette ashes and my husband thinks the idea is disgusting. He should have the dye stains! Good luck! (06/27/2006)

By Juliana

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Well this may sound odd, but color removes color. If you have any of the dye left use it in the shower like soap. It works If you don't like this idea then try sunlight dish soap with lemon. This also works. (06/28/2006)

By Taylor Mac

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Use baby oil or hair grease. (06/29/2006)

By JANIE368

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Wet a cotton wool pad with warm water then add some bleach, rub in circular motions and then follow with plain cold water. (07/02/2006)

By DizzyD

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I have found a great way to get dye off your skin, especially your hands, is to use veet hair removal cream (or any kind it doesn't matter!) Rub it over the place where the dye is, leave it for about 2 minutes and then scrub off. It even gets it off your nails! Fab! (07/04/2006)

By Molly_87

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used toothpaste with baking soda and it worked; however, scrub with caution because I now have abrasions everywhere I had to scrub. (07/14/2006)

By Guest

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just dyed my hair black, i used rubbing alcohol and it worked pretty good, burns a little for about 5 minutes though. (07/16/2006)

By From Blonde To Black

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Colour removes colour, put wet colour on and wipe off the stained colour. I haven;t tried it but a hair dresser once told me that. (07/21/2006)

By Jessica

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

WITCH HAZEL IS THE BEST. (08/06/2006)

By sydney

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used Arm n Hammer whitening toothpaste and a wet towel. I had minty eyebrows and hairline for the night, but it worked. Use cold water. (08/06/2006)

By Emily

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I found the best way (I had purple on mine!) was to use Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing lotion (the stuff for your face). It did the trick, all came off instantly! Or nail varnish remover in small amounts. (08/12/2006)

By Lyndzie

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used baking soda mixed with bleach and left it on there for like five minutes and it worked (08/14/2006)

By Brandi

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used tooth paste and baking soda. i mixed them together to make a thick paste. It works pretty well, after putting it on, let it sit for a while then wash it off with shampoo. (08/18/2006)

By Rachel

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Before you scrub your skin to death, MAKE SURE you didn't just color the hair on your neck! I now look like a man or something. Guess I'll just have to keep my hair down... (08/23/2006)

By Amy

Try This

Palmer's Skin Sucess FADE CREAM. Takes 90% of it off (08/26/2006)

By Helen

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used the bleach pen and it worked! (09/05/2006)

By gina

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I use Johnson's baby wet wipes. They have always worked for me.And leave your skin really soft with no scrubbing marks. (09/07/2006)

By HAYLEY

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I took lemon juice and poured some on an old towel and rubbed. not only did it get rid of the dye 3 minutes later it made my skin soft. But you'll want to shower afterwards. (09/10/2006)

By Jess

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

The hair removal cream really works great for skin and even finger nails! This is what I recommend also. (09/11/2006)

By Diana

Ashes

Try cigarette ashes... rub gently and poof, stain is gone! (09/13/2006)

By Lorene

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I used Nair to get it off my arms, legs, hand and feet. All came off except for around the cuticles. Then I used nail polish remover on my face, neck and ears. (09/14/2006)

By Brittany

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Best trick is while you are applying the dye, wipe off any dye that gets onto skin, and do it as u go along. Baby wipes are the best and easy to use. (09/17/2006)

By rebecca

Alcohol

Alcohol is the best solution. Easy and fast. (09/18/2006)

By Joe

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Veet hair removal works! (09/20/2006)

By maria

Shout

I just dyed my hair Green, and had it all up my arms, stomach, neck, ears and forehead.

I was looking around because we don't have anymore baby wipes. Those work the BEST for me.

I saw our bottle of the spray Shout stuff. I tried it and it worked! Just spray it on you, being careful of your eyes and stuff, and then scrub. You don't even have to scrub hard. It works so well. It didn't even leave my skin red. Then I used it to clean my bathtub, which looks like someone melted the Hulk in it. (10/15/2006)

By Codi

Cigarette Ashes

I dyed my son's hair black for Halloween and it was stained all over his face, (from sideburns) neck, and ears. Tried baking soda and dish soap, nail polish remover, lemon juice, shout stain remover and oxiclean. Nothing worked except cigarette ashes w/shampoo and lava soap (but not as well). It was amazing to see it actually come off. (10/30/2006)

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

How do you remove black hair dye from skin?

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

How do you get hair dye off of your skin?

Steve from Blair, NE

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I am also a hairdresser. Permanent wave solution. (03/18/2009)

By SophiaMia

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

My cousin dyed her brother's hair with red dye and had red dye all over her fingers. We tried everything lemon juice, toothpaste, ashes, shampoo, and finally my grandmother decided to Spray N Wash stain remover the stick kind and my cousin rubbed for five minutes, but finally it came off. There was no burn or itchiness afterward. (07/12/2009)

By cheryl_mitchell1992

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my beard very black last night. Got dye all over my skin and it wouldn't come off. I tried the toothpaste and baking soda (threw in a dash of lemon juice for good measure). Worked like a charm with a little scrubbing. Left the face a little red though. Give yourself time to recover before going out in public. (07/27/2009)

By KenPaul66

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

You can buy hair dye remover for skin at Sally's. (08/04/2009)

By lorraina

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my hair onyx black and used petroleum jelly around my hairline, but still had a little staining after rinsing. I tried the toothpaste suggestion and it worked great. I think something with an exfoliant to gently scrub is best. And now my face is also minty fresh. (08/27/2009)

By tiggyann333

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

If the color is fresh, try using Windex on a cotton ball. It's important when you first remove the color, wet the hair with water and rub the color, especially around the hair line or your brows. Whatever you are coloring. Usually that removes the stain from skin. Color removes color. (10/08/2009)

By Kath7959

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Will black permanent hair dye wear off the skin? If so how long will it take? Otherwise how can you get it off?

By Maryanne from Rockingham, WA

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

There's a product you can get at Sally Beauty Supply called Roux Clean Touch. Just put some on a cotton cloth and rub gently. I used it for the entire thirty years I was a hairstylist. And, yes, the color stain will eventually go away if you don't do anything because we slough skin cells daily, but it takes awhile for the stain to be completely gone this way. (11/20/2009)

By Deeli

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

If you still have the box, call the toll-free number on it and they should be able to give you suggestions. (11/20/2009)

By Maryeileen

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Rubbing alcohol and a rag. On heavy, really heavy areas it will only lighten. Daily scrub with a loofa sponge. (11/22/2009)

By kmkjc2000

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just finished using one of the suggestions I read and it worked for me. I used the toothpaste on a brush with tiny bristles without water. I washed that off then used it again with a tiny bit of water (not so much that it suds) and voila. It's gone. Toothpaste is abrasive and tingled a bit so I used a wash rag with lots of water to gently wash the skin. Good luck. (11/30/2009)

By denric

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Probably depends on the brand of hair dye, but I used tea tree oil, worked straight away, no issue no fuss. (12/01/2009)

By katherinethegr8

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

My daughter just died her hair bright blue and it was all over her ears, face, hands, and neck. I took a teaspoon of toothpaste, cigarette ashes, and shampoo mixed it all together and applied with a tooth brush. It required very little scrubbing and it all came off. 30 seconds was all it took and it was a dark stain. (02/04/2010)

By mother 0f 8

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

If you're like me and broke till payday and dyed your hair and need something around the house. I used blue/black permanent dye and got it everywhere this time. Now I have it all over and the worst is my left hand, it's so bad my nails are completely stained black and the skin is gonna take along time to completely get off. I first tried the bleach method "seems to be most popular" Clorox brand. Soaked my hand and scrubbed for over 5 minutes.

This helped slightly, but I barely noticed a difference and 15 minutes later my hand was hurting, red, and felt hot. I just irritated it. Next I tried Cutex nail polish remover. It works, but not that great I had stains on arms and legs too. It just got rid of surface dye, but the deep penetrated staining had to go. I searched through the posts. If I had had a Magic Eraser I may have tried it, but like I said on a budget at the moment and needed something.

My final attempt here I read about the Lysol Disinfectant Wipes. My right hand is completely clean. They work, you have to rub them for a bit "over 5 minutes for hard stains" but it works at least. Made my skin slightly more irritated, but they are non abrasive and cleaned everywhere else nicely. I showered and washed with soap twice. My left hand is still shaded and so are the nails. When it calms down I'm gonna do more wipes again. Everything I had was around the house didn't have to buy anything. Good luck. (02/06/2010)

By missamber

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my hair and I usually can wash if off, but this time I had dark spots on my face and neck. I ended up trying the Mr. Clean Eraser. It did work, but it is burning my skin currently. I guess maybe it feels like a derm abrasion. (02/28/2010)

By AndieP

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my hair purple on top and black underneath. The black was easy the purple, on the other hand was not. I have purple (and I mean purple) on the front line of my forehead, my ears, and even on my neck.

My husband has a show (he's in a rock band) tomorrow, well today. Please help me to get it off. I tried everything from Vaseline, to bleach, and cigarette ashes. Nothing is working. I desperately and quickly need help. Thanks.

By Mammy from Tacoma, WA

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I use ammonia based cleaner. Apply some on the skin and wipe off with a wet cloth. Worked for me. (03/14/2010)

By Dorty

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

My best friend was doing the root touch up on my hair which is black and well she got it on my hairline, ears, and forehead so she rubbed toothpaste with baking soda and rubbed it all on the area where the hair dye was. Then took Q-tips and soaked them in rubbing alcohol and scrubbed my forehead and all, Then we rinsed it and did this procedure twice and the most of it came off.

As far as the pain it didn't really hurt other than the cold/burning from the toothpaste and the only other pain was from her rubbing so hard at times. It really could have been done again, but I was satisfied enough with the results I got from doing it twice. I really suggest doing this it really works. Good luck. (03/17/2010)

By ababycakes

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Either of these work: "Lava" brand soap, the old-fashioned light green color soap with some type of scrubbing or exfoliant in it. It comes in a red wrapper in a bar-soap pkg. that's red. A friend of mine in Australia uses something called "Solvol" which is like our "Lava" soap here in the USA. I joined this just to post this because of the fact it is a tried and true remedy. (03/22/2010)

By Bree23

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just dyed my hair a soft black, all by myself and got it everywhere. I decided to try the toothpaste and baking soda (Colgate winter-fresh) and to my total amazement, it worked pretty well. I would say 85-95% off. I would recommend this one. (04/22/2010)

By MisLavergneGirl

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I dyed my hair black last night and got it every where. I have used bleach and toothpaste none of them really worked. So when i got up this morning I came on here and looked at what people have used to try and get the dye off. I have just been in my kitchen and the Dettol was on the side, I thought why not I have used every thing else. It works, use it neat, I used some cotton buds and didn't have to rub hard either. Please try it, it is so much saver than bleach. (05/02/2010)

By EMMA .H

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Getting dye on your skin is always the best part. Anyway last year I did purple and got it everywhere, ears, neck, hands, forehead, ugggh. Well I used bleach and it worked, but it burned pretty bad. So I have a better solution because I just dyed my hair red and got it everywhere again and someone told me to use hand sanitizer. I used Germ X and a cotton ball and it worked a whole lot better and quicker with no pain! (05/14/2010)

By kiddo1791

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I just dyed my hair black and I had black on my hairline that was really annoying me so I looked up how to get it off on Google and this was the first link. I had already tried rubbing cigarette ash on my hairline which made the blackness come out a little bit, but I tried rubbing alcohol and that took the rest of the blackness from my hairline. So if I were to recommend one, it would be rubbing alcohol. (05/15/2010)

By GrrlyGrrl24

RE: How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

Try using the following: a half spoon each, toothpaste, lemon juice, and dish wash liquid. Mix it together and apply on the skin. Wait for 5 minutes, apply Vaseline, nail polish remover in the cotton, and scrub the areas where you have earlier applied. Then wash with water. Sounds funny, but believe me it worked. (06/13/2010)

By joross

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I was dyeing my friend's hair black and I didn't have any gloves.

How to Get Hair Dye off of Skin

I was skeptical of using cigarette ashes, but I tried a few other things that didn't work. The ashes worked wonders. Who knew they were good for something!