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Changing your hair color is always an exciting time. It’s a fun and easy way to dramatically alter your appearance and give yourself a boost. And why pay for a trip to the salon when you can buy everything you need at the convenience store and dye your hair in the comfort of your own home? There’s just one problem. No matter how practiced and experienced you are, hair dye has the nasty habit of getting everywhere, especially on your skin. But help is at hand using products you will find around the house.

Prevention is the Best Solution

Preventing dye from getting on your skin in the first place will save you hassle in the long-run. Dye your hair on a day you haven’t washed your skin or hair. The body’s natural oils keep moisture on the surface of your skin, which should protect it from being stained. Before getting started, apply baby oil or petroleum jelly to your hairline, neck, and around your ears. These areas will now be greasy, and dye can be easily wiped off. Wear plastic gloves and try to cover as much skin as possible with old towels or shirts you don’t mind getting ruined.

Even after taking precautions, hair dye may still get on your skin. But with some household items, your skin will not stay stained for long.

prevent hair dye stain skin antikainen / Getty Images

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Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly can work as a preventative measure, but it can also be used as a dye removal agent. Use your fingertips, cotton wool, or a makeup remover pad to rub the jelly on the stained area of skin. Continue until you see the stain disappearing. The petroleum jelly may begin to change color, which is a good sign as it means it’s working! Remove with a wet cloth and your skin should be good as new. If not, apply more petroleum jelly and leave it for a couple of hours to soak into your skin before wiping it off.

petroleum jelly hair dye remove Kameleon007 / Getty Images

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Makeup Remover

Makeup remover is not just good for removing stubborn eye makeup. If you managed to get hair dye on your skin, put it to work and tackle those stains. Apply makeup remover to a cotton pad and begin rubbing the dyed skin. Leave it for five minutes before rinsing, and the stain should be gone. Makeup remover is inexpensive, readily available, and works miracles!

makeup remover rub skin stain ChesiireCat / Getty Images

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Hairspray

Hairspray may not be the obvious product to remove hair dye from your skin but give it a go if it’s your hands that need cleaning. Spray onto your hands and vigorously rub the stained areas before rinsing off. Don’t use this method on your face as certain skin types could have a reaction to the hairspray. If there are any signs of discomfort, immediately wash the hairspray off with warm water.

hairspray clean hands hair dye SementsovaLesia / Getty Images

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Baking Soda and Dishwashing Liquid

Make up a mix of equal parts dishwashing liquid and baking soda until fully combined. Ideally, try and use a detergent that contains lemon. Apply the mix to the dye-stained areas of skin and rub gently. Rinse it off with warm water. This method works as the dishwashing liquid lifts off the stain from the skin while the baking soda acts as an exfoliate taking off dead skin cells and revealing the new layers beneath. As you are exfoliating the skin, stop if there is any discomfort.

baking soda dishwashing detergent liquid ThamKC / Getty Images

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Baby or Olive Oil

If you want something a little less abrasive to your skin, reach for the oil. Baby oil or olive oil is best, and if you can, leave it on the stained skin for eight hours or more. This gives the oil time to break down the color. It may not be as effective as some of the other dye-removal methods, but it’s definitely better for your skin.

olive oil baby oil kazmulka / Getty Images

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Toothpaste

Something you’re sure to have around your home is toothpaste. Using a non-gel toothpaste, rub it gently onto the affected areas of skin. You can use your fingertip, cotton wool, or a soft toothbrush depending on how sensitive your skin is. Why does it work? Toothpaste contains baking soda, so it works as a natural mild abrasive to exfoliate the skin.

toothpaste exfoliate hair dye AndreyCherkasov / Getty Images

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Vinegar

Another exfoliating substance that’s easy to attain is vinegar. Dip cotton wool or a dishcloth in vinegar and gently rub your hair-dyed skin. The top layer of dead skin will be removed revealing the fresh skin beneath. This method is a bit more abrasive so don’t use vinegar if you have sensitive skin. It may not leave your skin smelling too good, but the color should lift right off!

vinegar skin clean exfoliate itsarasak thithuekthak / Getty Images

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Leftover Hair Dye

If you have any leftover hair dye, apply it to the stained areas of skin. What you will do is reactivate the dye making it removable. Use soap and a damp washcloth to wipe the dye off. Hair dye caused the problem in the first place, so why not let it solve the issue!

hair dye remove stains benedek / Getty Images

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Do Nothing

If all else fails or you don’t have anything at hand to remove the hair dye, you can always just do nothing! Over time, your skin will become lighter and lighter until the stain eventually disappears on its own. Most dyes should fade within a week. Even if you are worried about what people will say, the chances are that the stain is somewhere that others won’t even notice. Be patient and your hair dying mishap will vanish for good.

patience do nothing dye skin JohnnyGreig / Getty Images

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This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. The information on this Website is not intended to be comprehensive, nor does it constitute advice or our recommendation in any way. We attempt to ensure that the content is current and accurate but we do not guarantee its currency and accuracy. You should carry out your own research and/or seek your own advice before acting or relying on any of the information on this Website.

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