How to Get Hair Dye Off Your Scalp

So, you’ve just finished colouring your hair at home, you’re happy with the colour, and then you spot something that wasn’t part of the plan - a dark line along your hairline and a few patches on your scalp. A desperate search for ‘how to get hair dye off scalp’ might have led you here, but don’t panic, let’s find a solution.

First, you need to know what to expect. Hair dye on your scalp usually fades on its own within a few washes. If you want it gone sooner, use something gentle. A clarifying shampoo, an oil massage or micellar water will all help and are all worth trying. What you should never do is scrub hard or reach for strong solvents. Your scalp has just been through a dye session, so it needs a soft touch, no harsh chemicals or rough handling.

Read on for the simplest ways to lift those stains, plus how to stop them happening next time.

Is Hair Dye on Your Scalp a Problem?

A stained scalp is usually just a cosmetic niggle, so as annoying as it can be, it’s not something to worry about. The dye sits on the top layer of your skin, and as you wash your hair and your skin naturally renews itself, the colour should fade away.

It is a different story if your scalp feels uncomfortable. If your scalp burns, itches or swells, rinse it well with plenty of lukewarm water. Then speak to a pharmacist or GP for advice.

The best way to avoid a reaction is a patch test before you dye. Most home dye kits ask you to do one 48 hours beforehand, even if you have used the same colour before. Always follow the timing on your pack – it usually only takes a minute or two and gives you peace of mind.

Gentle Ways to Get Hair Dye Off Your Scalp

Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo is made to lift build-up from your hair and scalp, and that makes it a good first step for dye stains.

Wash twice in a row, and use the pads of your fingertips, not your nails, to massage the stained areas in small circles and always rinse well.

The only thing to keep in mind, is that clarifying shampoo can also fade fresh colour a little. Focus it on your scalp and hairline rather than working it through your lengths to avoid stripping too much colour. Then use conditioner on your mid-lengths and ends. For ideas, see our guide to shampoos that remove hair dye.

Oil

Oil is the gentlest option, and the best way to get hair dye off your scalp naturally. Olive oil, coconut oil and baby oil all work well to help loosen the dye from your skin without stripping it.

Warm a little oil between your palms. Massage it into the stained areas with your fingertips for a few minutes, then leave it to work for a couple of hours. Overnight is even better: pop on a shower cap and lay an old towel over your pillow.

In the morning, shampoo it out. You may need two washes to remove all the oil.

Micellar Water or Make-Up Remover

Stains along your hairline and behind your ears are usually the most noticeable and so you may want to address these first. Micellar water or a gentle make-up remover can help so you might be able to use a product you already own! Choose an alcohol-free formula to avoid drying out your hair or risking any reactions.

Soak a cotton pad and hold it on the stain for a few seconds, then wipe gently. Repeat until the colour starts to lift and you should be well on your way to clearing the stain.

Give It Time

Sometimes the best fix is patience. With normal washing, most scalp stains fade within a few days to a week, and each wash takes a little more colour with it.

What Not to Use on Your Scalp

Some popular tricks for removing dye from skin are not suitable for your scalp. A freshly dyed scalp is more sensitive than usual. Harsh products can sting, dry it out or leave it irritated – Cliphair has been around since 2007, and since then we have always been as passionate about giving advice on what not to do, as we are on recommending products and solutions. Don’t use the following:

• Alcohol or surgical spirit: it stings and dries out the skin.
• Nail varnish remover: far too harsh for your scalp.
• Lemon juice: it is acidic, so it can sting and irritate.
• Bleach: never put this on your skin.
• Washing-up liquid: it is made for greasy pans and strips your scalp's natural oils.
• Hard scrubbing: nails, brushes or rough flannels can leave your scalp sore.

Got dye on your face, ears or hands too? Our guide to getting hair dye off skin covers those areas.

How to Stop Hair Dye Staining Your Scalp Next Time

Stopping a stain is far easier than removing one. Here is the simplest way to keep your scalp clear:

• Use a barrier: smooth a barrier balm or petroleum jelly along your hairline and around your ears. Keep it off your roots, or the dye will not take there.
• Wear gloves: your hands will thank you.
• Work in sections: small sections help you see where the dye is going, so less ends up on your skin.
• Wipe drips straight away: keep a damp cotton pad nearby. Fresh dye is much easier to remove before it sets.

Wear clip-in extensions? Take them out before you start. It keeps dye off your clips and makes your roots easier to reach.

For more tips, read the dos and don'ts of dyeing your hair.

If the Stain Won't Shift

Still seeing a stain after a week? Or has the colour itself not turned out the way you hoped? It happens, but it’s best to see a professional.

A hairdresser can take a look and suggest the best next step. In the meantime, our guide on how to fix a hair dye job gone wrong walks you through your options.