You’ve just finished a fresh hair color, and your new shade looks amazing. But then you look down at your hands and see the telltale stains—splotches of color that seem to have permanently dyed your skin. It’s a common and frustrating part of the at-home coloring process. Don’t worry, those stains don’t have to last for days. With a few simple household items, you can easily get your hands looking clean again.
Your Kitchen Sink is Your Best Friend
Before you reach for harsh chemicals, start with what you already have in your kitchen. A little baking soda mixed with your regular dish soap creates a gentle, abrasive paste. The dish soap helps break down the dye, while the baking soda acts as a natural scrubber. Wet your hands, massage the paste onto the stained areas for a minute, then rinse with warm water. For oily or cream-based dyes, a splash of olive oil or coconut oil can work wonders. Massage it into the skin, let it sit for a minute to dissolve the color, then wipe it away and wash with soap.
Gentle Exfoliation for Stubborn Stains
For stains that are a bit more stubborn, a gentle exfoliant is the next step. You can use a dedicated facial exfoliant or make your own with equal parts lemon juice and sugar. The citric acid in the lemon helps lighten the stain while the sugar granules scrub it away. Gently rub the mixture on the stained skin, then rinse thoroughly. This method is effective, but if you have any cuts or sensitive skin, you may want to stick with the oil or baking soda methods to avoid irritation.
Prevention is the Easiest Solution
The absolute best way to deal with hair color on your hands is to avoid it in the first place. For your next coloring session, take a minute to protect your skin. Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly or a rich hand cream around your hairline, on your ears, and on the backs of your hands and fingers before you even open the dye kit. This creates a protective barrier that makes it much harder for the dye to stick to your skin. Wearing disposable gloves throughout the entire application process is also a highly effective strategy.
Stained hands after coloring your hair are almost a rite of passage, but they don’t have to be a lasting reminder of your DIY project. With these simple tips, you can quickly restore your skin and keep the focus on your beautiful new hair color.