How to Remove Hair Dye from Your Scalp

Dyeing your hair at home is a fun and simple way to change your appearance. However, regardless of your skills, it is very easy to accidentally stain your scalp and hairline with the hair dye. While you may be quick to panic when this happens, you actually have several home remedies within your bathroom, like toothpaste and makeup remover, to treat the stain quickly before it sets.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Preventing the Dye from Soaking into Your Skin

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1
Rub baby oil around your hairline and ears before you dye your hair. Pour about 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of baby oil in the palm of your hand. Then, dip your fingers into the baby oil and rub it along your hairline and around your ears^{[1]XExpert SourceGina Almona
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 12 February 2021.}. The baby oil will create a slick surface for the hair dye and will deter it from fully soaking into your skin.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Just make sure not to get any of the baby oil in your hair; otherwise, the hair dye might not be able to penetrate the baby oil to reach your hair.
- Instead of baby oil, you can use petroleum jelly or coconut oil as well.^{[3]XResearch source}
Keep your skin naturally moisturized by refraining from showering or washing your face prior to dyeing your hair. The buildup of oils around your hairline will act as a barrier to the hair dye and keep it from soaking into your skin.^{[4]XResearch source}
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3
Wear a protective headband to keep the dye from dripping down your scalp. Put on a thin, elastic headband before you begin. Keep the headband just beyond your hairline so it does not interfere with dyeing your hair.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Also, consider placing an old, thin towel around your neck to keep the dye from running down your neck behind your head.
- If you have a hairdresser’s cape, then put this on over the towel to protect your clothing from the dye as well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Treating Hair Dye Stains with Leftover Hair Dye

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1
Apply leftover hair dye to the stained areas using a cotton swab. Be careful not to coat clean areas of your skin, and to only apply the hair dye to the stain. This will cause the chemicals within the hair dye to reactive and will make it easier to remove the original stain.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Just be careful not to get any of the hair dye in your eyes. Consider wearing goggles to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around your eyes.
2
Rub the hair dye into the stain with a cotton swab for 30-60 seconds. Use gentle, circular motions to rub the hair dye into the stained area. Only rub within the perimeter of the stain to avoid spreading the hair dye to other portions of your skin.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If the hair dye begins to irritate your skin, stop rubbing the area immediately and rinse your face with water.
3
Use an exfoliating soap and a wet washcloth to rinse the dye off your skin. Apply a pea-sized amount of your exfoliating soap to a wet washcloth. Gently wipe away the reactivated hair dye from your skin.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you do not have an exfoliating soap, use your normal face soap instead.
- Repeat the process as needed to further lighten and remove the hair dye stain.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Exfoliating Your Skin with Toothpaste

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1
Apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the stain using a cotton swab. Use a non-gel toothpaste that has baking soda in it. Distribute the toothpaste along the entirety of the stain. Discard any excess toothpaste using a tissue.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you have an old, soft-bristled toothbrush, you can use that to scrub the stained area instead. Just be careful when using a toothbrush, as the bulky head might make it harder to handle precisely.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Instead of toothpaste, try using a cotton swab dipped in vinegar or hairspray. The process for all three alternatives is the same, and each will act as an exfoliant to lift the hair dye from your skin. Just be careful not to get any of these products in your eyes.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Use the cotton swab to rub the toothpaste into the stain for 1 minute. Apply a gentle pressure with the cotton swab to avoid irritating your skin with the toothpaste. If the cotton swab does not seem to be exfoliating your skin properly, put on a pair of gloves and rub the toothpaste using your finger.^{[12]XResearch source}
- The gritty texture of the toothpaste, along with the reactive power of the baking soda, will lift the hair dye from your pores.
3
Wipe away the toothpaste and lifted hair dye with a wet washcloth. Use an old washcloth that you don’t mind getting hair dye stains on, and wipe your skin clean. If the stains are completely removed, follow up by washing your face properly with soap and water.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Repeat the process if needed, but make sure not to repeat the process too many times that you irritate your skin.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Makeup Remover to Lift the Hair Dye

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1
Apply makeup remover to the stained area using a cotton swab. Use a dense or creamy makeup remover, like cold cream, that will be able to rest on your skin. Completely coat all of the stained areas around your scalp and hairline.^{[14]XResearch source}
- You can use liquid makeup removers like micellar water, but they may not be as effective.
Use circular motions to work the makeup remover into your pores. Apply gentle pressure when doing this to avoid irritating your skin.^{[15]XResearch source}
3
Allow the makeup remover to soak into your skin for 5 minutes. The makeup remover will help break down the pigments in the hair dye and remove the stain from your skin. Avoid letting the makeup remover soak longer than 5 minutes as it may cause skin irritation when mixed with the hair dye.^{[16]XResearch source}
- If the makeup remover starts to irritate your skin at any point during the soaking process, wipe it off immediately and wash your face.
4
Wipe away the makeup remover with a damp washcloth and rinse your face. Gently wipe the makeup remover off, and be careful not to spread it across your face near your eyes. The makeup remover will have remnants of the hair dye in it that you do not want to come in contact with your eyes.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Repeat the process to further remove the hair dye stain as needed.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Soaking the Stain with Baby Oil

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1
Use a cotton swab or a gloved finger to rub baby oil onto the stain. Pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of baby oil or a similar light oil, such as coconut oil, into the palm of your hand. Dip the cotton swab or your gloved finger into the baby oil and use circular motions to rub the oil onto the stain.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Treat the stains before you go to bed to allow the baby oil to soak in your skin overnight.
2
Allow the baby oil to soak the stain overnight so the color breaks down fully. Avoid washing or touching your face while the baby oil is soaking into your skin. Sleep on your back to keep it from rubbing off while you sleep.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Cover your pillow with an old towel to keep the baby oil from staining the fabric. Make sure the towel is one you don’t mind ruining since the oil will stain it.
3
Wash your face in the morning with warm water and soap to remove the oil. Wash your face as you normally would with soap. Avoid using an exfoliating scrubber, as your skin might be irritated from the hair dye.^{[20]XResearch source}
- Repeat the process the following night if needed.
EXPERT TIP
Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
You can also try using a traditional color remover like Roux Clean Touch. You can also try window cleaner for smaller spots, and in a pinch, an old remedy is to use cool cigarette ashes.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How can I keep hair dye from getting onto my scalp?
Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Gina Almona is the Owner of Blo It Out, a New York City-based hair salon. With over 20 years of beauty training experience, Gina's work has been featured in People Magazine, Time Out New York, and Queens Scene. She has been able to keep a fresh perspective in the industry by demonstrating and participating in trade shows and workshops like the International Beauty Show. She received her cosmetology training from the Long Island Beauty School, Astoria.
Gina Almona
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
I recommend using a barrier prior to coloring your hair to prevent staining.
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Tips

Wear a pair of plastic gloves to keep the dye from getting on your hands. This will help prevent you accidentally spreading the dye on other areas of your skin later on.^{[21]XResearch source}
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Don’t worry if the stain is not completely removed after treating it. After a couple of days, the oils in your skin will naturally break down the remaining color in the hair dye.^{[22]XResearch source}
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You may also be able to remove hair dye stains on your skin with a bit of shampoo. Rub the shampoo into your skin with your fingers and then wipe the shampoo away with a damp washcloth. This works best on fresh hair dye stains.
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Warnings

Avoid applying any of the applicators near your eyes. If your skin becomes irritated from trying to remove the hair dye, stop rubbing the area immediately and rinse your face with water. Consult your general physician if the skin irritation continues.^{[23]XResearch source}
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