DIY at-home hair dyeing has a lot of advantages. But if you're not careful, the pigment can stain your hands, neck, or forehead. Additionally, getting those stains off of your skin can be challenging.

In this article, we'll first look at ways to prevent permanent hair dye from getting on the skin. But since accidents can still happen, we'll also look at what removes permanent hair dye from the skin and what is best for which area. 

Table of Contents:

• Simple Ways to Avoid Getting Permanent Hair Dye on the Skin
• What Removes Permanent Hair Dye from the Skin
• Best Ways to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from the Face and Hairline
• Warm water and soap
• Rubbing alcohol
• Oil
• Best Ways to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Hands
• Acetone
• Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Simple Ways to Avoid Getting Permanent Hair Dye on the Skin

Try one of these methods to avoid getting dye on your skin: 

• Put on gloves to properly protect your hands. Remember that dye does not come off of nails. You will have no choice but to wait until your nails grow out and you can cut them.
• Put something between your hair and your hairline. Before applying the dye, try applying a thick line of petroleum jelly, moisturizer, or lip balm around the hairline.   
• Clean up any spills as you go to avoid staining. You could use a wet washcloth, cotton swab, or pad. Stains can be avoided by immediately removing them.
• Wrap a towel around your neck and shoulders to avoid getting the dye on your clothes. It can also double up your washcloth so you can wipe off spills and drippings as you go. 

However, keep in mind that accidents can happen whether you're coloring your hair at home or at the salon. The tips given below can come in handy when such accidents do happen. 

What Removes Permanent Hair Dye from the Skin

Some ingredients that can remove permanent dye from the skin include soap, olive oil, acetone, rubbing alcohol, detergent, baking soda, and toothpaste. 

However, you cannot use all ingredients on all areas of the skin. For example, you can put detergent on your hands but not on your face or neck. 

Remember to use the right combinations of ingredients on the right area of skin, and even permanent hair dye will come off. Do keep in mind, though, that some of these things can easily dry your skin or irritate it. So, it's important to follow them up with a deeply nourishing body lotion or moisturizer.

Best Ways to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from the Face and Hairline

You can try any of the following ways to remove permanent hair dye from the face, neck, and hairline.

• Warm water and soap

Warm water and soap may be sufficient to remove the dye if you begin wiping it off before the stain dries. It also works immediately after the color drips onto your skin. 

However, you may have to resort to one of the other methods listed below if it has already dried and stained your skin.

• Rubbing alcohol

Dab a little bit of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab or cotton ball to use as a stain remover. Apply it gently to the stained skin. Make sure to wash the area with soap and warm water after the dye has been removed. Remember to follow it up with a soothing face cream.

Remember that if your skin is extremely dry or sensitive, rubbing alcohol may not be suitable because it can cause the skin to dry or chap. 

• Oil

Oil can effectively remove permanent dye as it helps to dissolve the color while being gentle and non-abrasive on the skin. 

The longer you can let it remain on the stained area of the skin, the better. You can leave the oil on the color for eight hours or even longer because it is neither corrosive nor abrasive. 

Take a little olive or castor oil on your finger or a cotton ball. Then gently rub it into the affected area of your skin. Remove it by washing it with warm water and soap or shampoo.

Best Ways to Remove Permanent Hair Dye from Hands

Hands tend to be a little less sensitive than your face, neck, or hairline, even if you have sensitive skin. You can try either of the following options to remove permanent hair dye from your hands.

• Acetone

Acetone is a common ingredient found in nail polish remover, which is easily available at most stores. But acetone is a harsh ingredient and cannot be used on the skin of your neck, face, and hairline. It will dry your skin and may even lead to skin cracking and irritation.

But you can use it to remove dye stains from your hands by pouring some onto a cotton ball and rubbing it over the affected skin. 

Remember to clean your hands with a warm soap and water solution to get your skin rid of the acetone.

• Baking Soda and Dish Soap

Dish soap is good for dissolving the hair dye, and baking soda is good for exfoliating. Simply mix mild dish soap with some baking soda and make a paste. Then rub the paste gently over the stain to avoid damaging your skin too much.

While it's best to avoid getting hair dye on the skin, accidents do happen at times. If you're wondering what removes permanent hair dye from skin, you can experiment with the options given above to find what works best for you!