How to Remove Hair Dye from Your Hands and Nails

Removing Dye with Gentle Cleansers

Squeeze non-gel toothpaste into your hands and scrub. Toothpaste has abrasive agents that scrub your teeth, and these can also exfoliate your skin. Removing the dead, dyed skin cells of your hands reveals the new skin underneath, which may not be stained. Scrub your hands for about 30 seconds, then rinse with warm water. If your hands are still stained, try scrubbing again and adding a pinch of baking soda.

Apply baby oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly and allow it to sit overnight. This is an especially helpful method if you have sensitive skin. The oils slowly dissolve and break down the dye while simultaneously softening and conditioning your skin. Rub the oil over your hands using a cotton ball or a damp washcloth. The oil may ruin your sheets if you touch them while you sleep, so wear gloves or clean socks on your hands to bed. Use a cotton ball to remove excess oil in the morning and scrub with warm water.

Wash your hands with a combination of dish soap and baking soda. The dish soap can help break up the dye while the baking soda exfoliates your skin. Rinse with warm water. The baking soda will start to bubble, and that’s okay! This can actually help lift the stain from your skin. Look for a dish soap that is gentle on your hands and won't dry them out. If your hands feel dry after trying this method, soften them with lotion or moisturizer.

Rub makeup remover on your hands. Because it’s formulated for use on your face, makeup remover is usually gentle on the skin. If the stain hasn't penetrated too deeply, makeup remover can help dissolve the dye and lift the pigment. Pour the makeup remover onto a washcloth or cotton ball and rub the stain. Wait for at least five minutes before rinsing. You can also use makeup-removing wipes. The fibers of the wipe can help exfoliate dead skin while lifting the stain.

Try a professional dye remover. If you want to skip the home remedies and do like the professionals, visit a beauty supply store and purchase a hair dye remover that’s safe to use on the skin. These products can be found in the form of a solution or wipe.

Act quickly after hair dye gets on your hands. The dye will take a few minutes to pigment your skin. Even if the dye has begun to set, the sooner you treat it, the easier it will be to remove. Your skin is made up of layers, and as the dye seeps into your skin, it will dye it layer by layer. If you allow the dye to sit on your hands, it will be able to dye more layers of your skin and deeper layers of your skin. If the dye stains the deep layers of your skin, it will likely take harsh measures to remove, which may damage your skin.

Using Stronger Methods

Spray hairspray on your hands. The hairspray may be able to break the bonds between the dye and your skin, helping the color wash away. Spraying the hairspray onto a cotton ball and then rubbing it on your hands may increase the effectiveness of this treatment. Rubbing the hairspray in may help it penetrate deeper, and the fibers of the cotton ball may help loosen dead skin cells. Use warm water to rinse the hairspray off your hands. Keep in mind that the alcohol in the hairspray may dry out your skin so use lotion or moisturizer after trying this method.

Mix laundry detergent and baking soda and rub it into the stain. Detergent may irritate your skin, but it can work quickly and effectively to break down dye. The baking soda adds an abrasive element, which exfoliates and removes dyed dead skin cells. Here’s what you can do: Use the detergent and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. For instance, if you use 1 spoonful of detergent, use 1 spoonful of baking soda. Rub the mixture into your skin for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water.

Make a paste from cigarette ashes and warm water. As strange as it sounds, this is an old home remedy that’s believed to work wonders. Just be aware that this treatment is not scientifically proven and may damage your skin. Mix cold cigarette ashes and warm water in a small bowl, then use a cotton ball to dab it onto your stained skin. Wait 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Use nail polish remover if all else fails. The acetone solvent in nail polish remover can redissolve the dye, and once in its liquid state, the dye can be washed away. Nail polish remover is, however, very harsh on your skin and may cause dryness and other damage. If you try this method, follow these steps with caution: Dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover and gently rub it over the stained skin. If you experience a burning sensation, stop immediately and rinse your hands with warm water.

Cleaning Your Nails

Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Apply the saturated cotton ball to your nails immediately after you get the dye off the skin. Rub the cotton ball on your nails and the dye should start to come off on the cotton ball. Nail beds are mostly dead skin cells that absorb dye easily. It may be very difficult to lift the dye without actually removing the dead cells.

Use a nail brush or toothbrush to get under your nails. If you're having trouble cleaning the skin under your nails, use a clean toothbrush or a nail brush to scrub underneath. Try soaking the brush in soap and water to wash away any dye that is under your nails.

Paint your nails if you can't remove the dye. If you've tried everything and your nails are still discolored, your best bet is to cover them with a fun nail polish. Be fashionable and disguise the stain at the same time!