How to Get Hair Dye off Your Hands

Co-authored by Janet Miranda

You've succeeded in dying your hair the most beautiful raven black, but it looks like you've dyed your hands, too! Hair dye is easy to wash off with soap and water if you act quickly, but what if the stain has set into your skin and nails? There are several ways to lift hair dye off your skin, but not all are suitable for every skin type. Try a gentle cleanser if your skin is sensitive, or skip straight to the tough treatments to remove serious stains.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Dye With Gentle Cleansers

1
Act quickly after hair dye gets on your hands. The dye will take a few minutes to pigment your skin. Even if the dye has begun to set, the sooner you treat it, the easier it will be to remove.
- Your skin is made up up layers, and as the dye seeps into your skin, it will dye it layer by layer. If you allow the dye to sit on your hands, it will be able to dye more layers of your skin, and deeper layers of your skin.
- If the dye is allowed to stain the deep layers of your skin, it will likely take harsh measures to remove, which may damage your skin.
2
Squeeze non-gel toothpaste into your hands and scrub. Toothpaste has abrasive agents that scrub your teeth, and these will exfoliate your skin. Removing the dead, dyed skin cells of your hands will reveal the new skin underneath, which may not be stained yet.^{[1]
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- Scrub your hands for about 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water.
- If your hands are still stained, try scrubbing again, only this time add a pinch of baking soda.
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3
Apply baby oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly and allow it to sit overnight. This is an especially helpful method if you have sensitive skin. The oils will slowly dissolve and break down the dye while simultaneously softening and conditioning your skin.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- Rub the oil over your hands using a cotton ball or a damp washcloth.
- The oil may ruin 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 scrub with warm water.
4
Wash your hands with a combination of dish soap and baking soda. The dish soap will break up the dye and the baking soda will exfoliate your skin. Rinse with warm water to cause the baking soda to bubble, which may help lift the stain from your skin.^{[4]
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- Look for a dish soap that is gentle on your hands and won't dry them out.
5
Rub makeup remover on your hands. Because it is formulated for use on your face, makeup remover will definitely be gentle on your skin. If the stain hasn't penetrated too deeply, it should be able to dissolve and lift the pigment.^{[5]
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- Pour the makeup remover onto a washcloth or cotton ball and rub the stain. Wait for at least five minutes before rinsing.^{[6]
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- Try makeup-removing wipes if you have any. The fibers of the wipe will exfoliate dead skin and the makeup remover will break down the pigment.
6
Buy professional dye remover. If you want to skip the home remedies and do like the professionals, visit a beauty supply store and purchase a hair dye remover that is designed for use on your skin. You may find it in the form of a solution or as wipes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing the Dye with Harsher Methods

1
Spray hairspray on your hands. The hairspray may be able to break the bonds between the dye and your skin, allowing you to wash the color away.^{[7]
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Research source} The alcohol in the hairspray may dry out your skin.
- Spraying the hairspray onto a cotton ball and then rubbing it on your hands may increase the effectiveness of this treatment. Rubbing the hairspray in may help it penetrate deeper and the fibers of the cotton ball may help loosen dead skin cells.
- Use warm water to rinse the hairspray off your hands.
2
Mix laundry detergent and baking soda and rub it into the stain. Detergent may irritate your skin, but it works quickly and effectively to break down the dye.^{[8]
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Research source} The baking soda adds an abrasive element, which exfoliates and removes dyed dead skin cells.
- Use the detergent and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio (so, 1 teaspoon detergent mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda).
- Rub the mixture into your skin for 30-60 seconds.
- Rinse with warm water.
3
Make a paste from cigarette ashes and warm water. As strange as it sounds, this is an old hold remedy that supposedly works wonders. Make sure the ashes are cool and be aware that this treatment is not great for your skin.^{[9]
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- Mix cold cigarette ashes and warm water in a small bowl, then use a cotton ball to dab it onto your stained skin.
- Wait for 15 minutes. The stain should begin to fade.^{[10]
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- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
4
Use nail polish remover if all else fails. The acetone solvent in nail polish remover can redissolve the dye and, once in its liquid state, the dye can be washed away. Nail polish remover is, however, very harsh on your skin and may cause dryness and other damage. It should never be used around your eyes.^{[11]
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- Dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover and rub it over the stained skin. Try not to rub too vigorously.
- If you experience a burning sensation, stop immediately and rinse your hands with warm water.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Your Nails

1
Saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Apply it to your nails immediately after you get the dye off the skin, before the dye has a chance to penetrate too deeply.
- Nail beds are mostly dead skin cells that absorb dye easily. Without actually removing the dead cells, it may be very difficult to lift the dye.
- Rub the cotton ball on your nails and you should see the dye start to come off on the cotton ball.
2
Trim your cuticles if they are dyed. If you have dead skin or cuticles that changed colors because of the dye, use a cuticle clipper to carefully remove the skin. This will save you from using harsh nail polish remover on your skin.
3
Use a nail brush or toothbrush to get under your nails. If you're having trouble cleaning the skin under your nails, use a clean toothbrush or a nail brush to scrub underneath.
- Try soaking the brush in soap and water to wash away any dye that is under your nails.
4
Paint your nails if you just can't remove the dye. If you've tried everything and your nails are still discolored, your best bet is to cover them with a fun nail polish. Be fashionable and disguise the stain at the same time!

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I get really stubborn dye off?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Normally it's best to avoid anything with alcohol in it, but it really does help if the dye on your skin is stubborn and won't come off.
Question

I tried everything to get blue hair dye off my hands and nothing is working. I look like a Smurf. What can I use to remove it?

I like sushi

Top Answerer

Pumice stones help if you exfoliate your hands with them very lightly to avoid doing damage to the actual skin.
Question

What if nail polish remover and olive oil don't work?

Hlingafelter

Community Answer

Try vinegar. Also, they may sell wipes in the hair dye section of your local store that can remove dye from your hands.

Warnings

Using a washcloth to remove the dye will probably ruin the washcloth. Don't use your mom's best! Try to find a rag to use instead.

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