How to Remove Hair Dye From the Face

Coloring your hair at home is a messy, drippy process. If, despite good and careful intentions, you've managed to get dye on your forehead, neck and ears, take heart. Here are a few tips on how to remove those final traces of hair dye from the face.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Buy a hair color stain remover from your local beauty salon for the easiest and most effective solution. These products are especially helpful when dying tricky spots, like eyebrows, so consider buying a bottle at the same time you pick up your hair dye. Simply pour a little of the solution onto an old towel and rub gently onto the skin.

2. Use old-fashioned soap and water (along with a little elbow grease) for a safe alternative. Use a soft, old toothbrush or nail brush to gently scrub the area.

3. Rub a little body scrub or toothpaste (the kind with little cleaning crystals in it) to remove the dye. If these aren't available, make a small batch of your own scrub with a couple of tablespoons of ground oats or sugar mixed with a tiny bit of water. Gently scour the skin with the thickened mixture.

4. Apply a bit of nail polish remover to a cotton ball and try to wipe away dye stains. Use this method as a last resort, however; nail polish remover isn't intended for large areas of the skin and may cause some irritation.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit a salon and talk to a professional colorist if you're battling a particularly difficult stain. He will know how to safely remove it without damaging your hair or skin.

• Avoid using bleach, hydrogen peroxide and household cleaners. In addition to being extremely unsafe, these products also have the potential to damage your new hair color.

• Avoid getting dye on your skin in the first place. Wear gloves, follow mixing instructions, apply petroleum jelly to the skin surrounding your hairline, use a shower cap and rinse your hair in the tub (not the shower) to minimize skin contact with the dye.