Let us know if this sounds familiar: you’re coloring your hair and all of a sudden, you splash some of the product on your arms, neck, ears, or hairline. You try to wipe it off but no matter what, the color won’t budge. As panic sets in, you frantically think to yourself, “Do I even know how to remove hair color stains from my skin?” If you’ve ever had this happen to you, you’re not alone. Luckily, we’re here to help!
When coloring your hair, the last thing you want is for the product to stain your skin (obvs). Soap and water can do the trick, but oftentimes, they’re just not enough. You can also try olive oil or rubbing alcohol, though the latter may feel harsh for your skin, so we recommend using it as a last resort.
For a professional option that forms a protective shield between your skin and the hair color, try Madison Reed's Barrier Cream. Just apply it along your hairline, ears, and any areas likely to get stained before you start. For a DIY option, petroleum jelly is a great alternative. Simply spread a thick layer of petroleum jelly around your hairline and ears. This creates a slippery barrier that helps to stop the color from sticking to your skin, making clean up super easy.
What other options are on the table? Continue reading to find out!
How to Remove Permanent Hair Color Stains from Skin? Our Top 5 Methods
Coloring hair is fun, but even it has its downsides — like those pesky color stains. We’ve already discussed how to remove hair dye from walls, sinks, and floors, so now let’s focus on something just as, if not more, important — how to tackle color stains on your skin.
There are a couple of DIY methods and pro colorist tricks and tips that you can try. The most important thing to note is that the sooner you wipe up the stain the better! Let’s look at a few options:
Hair Color Stain Remover
The best way to remove stains is with a hair color stain remover. These products are designed specifically to remove color stains from the skin. They come in various forms, including liquid and wipes. All Madison Reed Color Kits, including Radiant Hair Color, Root Perfection, and ColorWonder, come with a cleansing wipe that is pre-saturated and ready to clean up any stains that occur during or after the coloring process.
Hair Color
It may seem counterintuitive, but applying hair color on top of hair color will actually help remove staining. The color will reactivate the color on your skin, making it easier to remove. Before adding water to wipe up the stain, use any remaining color and lightly massage it over the stain, then wipe away with soap and water.
PRO COLORIST TIP: To avoid staining on the hairline and ears, before you rinse the color out, put some shampoo on your fingers and massage the color around your hairline and tips of the ears before getting the hair wet. This will help to pick up any stains using the color that is already on your hair and skin. It might feel messy but trust us, the shampoo and color mixture before getting the hair or skin wet will help minimize staining.
Makeup Remover
Makeup remover solution or wipes are a great way to remove stains if you do not have any hair color stain remover. They are gentle on the skin and do a pretty good job of removing stains.
Soap and Water
Yes, your traditional washing supplies, such as soap and water, might do the trick, but there’s one thing you need to remember. They will only work if the color hasn’t dried yet or if it just did. In other situations, you’ll need to try other methods from our list.
TIP: Apply the soap first on dry skin, then emulsify it with water, this will help pick up the color better before you wet the skin.
Toothpaste
As crazy as it may sound, this bathroom staple is a great DIY solution for removing stains from your skin. For it to be effective, you’ll need a toothpaste that isn’t the gel type. Rub a little non-gel toothpaste on the stained area and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then wipe it away with a wet washcloth, paper towel, or cotton.
