10 Ways to Remove Hair Dye From Your Skin, According to Experts

A knowledgeable professional can always reverse harsh color separation, and I know of a number of great hair masks that can counteract color damage. But dyed skin is something you might not be prepared to deal with after an appointment. The truth is, it's fairly common for a splash of hair dye to end up on your skin—especially around the hairline. But regardless of how common it is, that doesn't mean you want your hair dye to stick around on your skin. So to figure out exactly how to safely remove all traces of hair dye from your skin, we consulted dermatologist Nava Greenfield, as well as hair colorists Courtney Goebel, Gisele, and AJ Lordet.

Use a Coat of Vaseline When Applying the Dye

According to Greenfield, “The most important way to avoid hair dye from staining skin is to avoid getting it on the skin in the first place. Using a coat of Vaseline or mineral oil on the scalp and around the scalp before applying the hair dye can help avoid contact of the dye with the skin."

Wear Gloves

Gloves and a stain guard can also help. "Of course, wearing gloves on the hands is important as well," Greenfield says. Goebel agrees: “At eSalon, each order includes stain guard and stain remover for a tidy, stain-free experience. If you don’t have stain guard, don’t sweat it. Petroleum jelly works wonderfully to prevent hair color stains. Just swipe an even amount of product around the hairline and on the ears.” 

Keep in mind that the Vaseline will block color from reaching the hair, so Lordet makes it a point to apply it cleanly and evenly on the skin only. Be sure not to get any on grey hairs especially.

Clean During the Dyeing Process

"After the color is applied, wipe up any that dripped on the skin; always wear gloves, [dye] never comes off fingernails!" Lordet says. "A tissue is good for the wipe off."

Goebel also advocates for cleaning up the hairline regularly throughout the dyeing process to catch drips ahead of time. “Since heat from the scalp can sometimes make color run, definitely check on the progress of your hair color during processing. To ensure color doesn’t run down the back of the neck, I like to loosely twist the hair up and clip up the ends. Now the hair is up and out of the way while the color processes,” she says.

Try Baby Wipes

If your color does start to run while the dye is being applied, Goebel recommends reaching for another drugstore product. “If you are in a pinch, baby wipes work nicely to gently remove color from the skin,” she says. Coterie's are really gentle, making this a prime way to remove dye from a sensitive area, like the face (plus, the packaging is cute enough that you can leave them out on a vanity).

Massage the Scalp and Skin

As Goebel puts it, “Removing hair color from the skin can be tricky, but it’s definitely not impossible.” She turns to an (admittedly counterintuitive) old stylist trick when removing dye from the scalp or hairline: Use the hair color itself to remove dye from the scalp.

“After your hair color has processed, pop into the shower. With gloved hands, add a little water to the hair,” she says. “Starting at the hairline, massage the hair color in circular motions away from the hairline. Continue to massage the full scalp for two to three minutes. The act of massaging helps to warm up the color, removing it from the scalp and also adding shine to the hair. After the color has moved away from the scalp and feels creamy, rinse the hair color out thoroughly.”

Use a Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

Afterward, use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner like eSalon Classic Color Care Shampoo ($18) and Classic Color Care Conditioner ($20). "By shampooing and conditioning the hair, you will ensure all of the hair color has been removed from the scalp,” Goebel says.

Rub Petroleum Jelly Into the Skin

If the color has dripped down your neck or face—or if it's made it's way into a hard-to-clean area, like the nails or hands—Greenfield says it’s not the end of the world. Again, petroleum jelly will come in clutch.

"If you want to remove it more quickly, you can rub petroleum jelly (using a glove or wipe) gently onto the skin," Greenfield says. "The petroleum jelly will absorb most of the dye, and then you can wipe it away." If it's on your hands, work it directly into the skin, sans gloves, wiping it off after.

Apply a Gentle Soap

Greenfield adds, "If that doesn’t completely do the trick, try some gentle soap or unscented laundry detergent. Lather it up, and then rub it gently on the affected skin. Rinse and repeat until the desired effect is reached.” This is an especially good idea for nails, as you can get them really sudsy in the sink a few times to get the dye off. Try Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser; the drugstore classic is fragrance-free and noncomedogenic, so it won’t irritate stained skin (even after repeated use).

Use a Hair Color Stain Remover

When all else fails, Giselle turns to an inexpensive, yet effective product: Roux Clean Touch Hair Color Stain Remover. Simply pat it onto the stained skin with a cotton ball and rinse. "It's affordable and works great," she says. And it's used by expert colorists around the globe, so you know it works. This is another great tactic for stained nails and hands, as the liquid remover can be worked into crevices and easily be cleaned off.

Wait It Out

According to Greenfield, "hair dye will fade [from the skin] usually within just a few days if you do nothing." So if you're in no rush—or if the above methods didn't yield much success—just give it some time.