How to Remove Hair Dye from Your Skin

Dyeing your hair a different color is an easy way to completely change your look. Isn’t it so exhilarating to try new hair colors and experiment with your hair? And worst-case scenario, if you don’t like how the color looks on you, you can always dye it another color! But dyeing your hair at home comes with its own set of struggles—like, what if you realize you don’t know how to get hair dye off skin, and your forehead just so happens to be marked with a swipe of permanent hair color? Those are the times it might be nice to have a professional who knows how to remove hair dye from skin on hand. The good news is, if your hair dye has gone out of bounds, you don’t need to rush to an expert; there are nifty beauty hacks you can use at home to help get the dye off your skin, such as covering up the stains with concealer or foundation. We wouldn’t want to leave you with an unsightly spot, so just keep reading for our best beauty hacks to help remove any dye-meets-skin mishaps.

HOW TO GET HAIR DYE OFF SKIN

Give these four beauty hacks a whirl the next time you find yourself researching how to take hair dye off skin.

BEAUTY HACK #1: PETROLEUM JELLY

This hack works best if you do it before you start your dye job. Coat your hairline with petroleum jelly before you start applying color to your hair. You can even apply some to the tips of your ears and the bottom of your neck so the dye doesn’t end up clinging on those spots either. While this is most effective as a preventative measure, you can use it after a dye job too. Spot a stain? Put some of the petroleum jelly onto a cotton pad and rub it over the stain in question.

BEAUTY HACK #2: CLEANSE

Your regular old facial cleanser likely won’t remove hair dye from your skin completely, but it can help start the process of getting it off. If you notice that there’s some hair dye around your hairline or anywhere else, reach for your cleanser ASAP. When it comes to getting hair dye off skin, working fast is often the name of the game. The longer the dye sits, the more time it has to stain your pretty visage. Wash it off right away and you may not even need any more hacks.

BEAUTY HACK #3: WAIT IT OUT

We know, this is probably the last thing you want to do but hear us out! Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just ride it out and wait for the hair dye to fade on its own. After all, time heals all wounds, right? Being overzealous about removing hair dye from skin can result in irritated or rubbed raw skin, which is why this method is oft recommended. As the days go by, the hair dye will fade on its own until it’s all but a distant memory.

Editor’s tip: Is the hair dye on your forehead? Consider this an excuse to wear a gorgeous bejeweled headband or a trendy head wrap that’ll jazz up any outfit. Is the hair dye on the back of your neck? Wear your hair down or in a pretty braid that covers the spot.

BEAUTY HACK #4: CONCEAL THE STAIN

You can also cover up a hair dye stain with concealer or foundation. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage, which has a full coverage formula and flawless matte finish. Bonus: This concealer has a waterproof, non-greasy formula that won’t transfer, fade, or flake—AKA your hair dye mishaps won’t make an appearance midday! If the dye is taking over a larger area, another option is the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight, which like the name suggests, provides full, long-lasting coverage for stubborn spots. Like the concealer, this foundation resists sweat, water, and transfer.

To apply either one (or both), use a makeup blender like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. Put a little bit of concealer or foundation on the blender, then use quick dabbing and rolling motions to apply the makeup to the area you want to mask. Dust on a setting face powder, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder, or spritz with a makeup setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray, to help keep your makeup in place.

To recap, if you notice a hair dye stain on your skin—whether it’s your hairline or the back of your neck—there’s no reason to get worked up. There are simple hacks you can try—using items you already have on hand at home—to put an end to the issue.

We know another situation that might have you stressing: wanting to change your hair color ASAP after a dye job gone bad. The good news is, that too isn’t the end of the world! With the right hair color removal tips, it’s actually not even a big deal. What a relief, right? Now, go ahead and read our article, Your Guide to Hair Color Removal, for everything you need to know.