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How to Get Splat Hair Dye Off Your Skin: DIY Step-by-Step

By Author Kenneth Byrd

Posted on Last updated:

Young African American female with a dark brown natural hair color that's been dyed with Splat hair color.

There’s no denying that Splat hair dye is a cult classic. The brand’s unique colors and long-lasting formulas have made it a favorite among hair color enthusiasts.

But as any Splat user knows, those bright hues can be tricky to remove; Splat hair dyes can be especially different to remove from the skin.

If you’ve ever found yourself with dyed hands or stained skin after coloring your hair, you know how difficult it can be to remove that pigment.

But it’s easy if you use the right method. This article will show you how to remove Splat hair dye from the skin using several proven techniques. 

How to Get Splat Hair Dye off Your Skin with 8 Proven Techniques

Whether it’s on your hands, face, neck, or forehead, Splat hair colors can be a real pain to remove.  If you’ve ever tried to remove the dye with just soap and water, you know that it just doesn’t work.

The good news is that there are several tried-and-true dye removal methods that can tackle Splat dye as well as dyes from other brands.

A light-skinned black girl used nail polish remover and warm water to take Splat dyes off of her delicate skin.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most effective ways to remove hair dye from the skin. It’s a quick fix you can easily get your hands on, as you likely have some olive oil in your hair care stash.

The oil helps to break down the pigment in the dye, making it easier to remove. Here’s what you need to do to take advantage of this method:

Gather Your Materials 

  • Olive oil
  • Cotton pads
  • Soap
  • Towel

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Apply ½ teaspoon of olive oil to the affected area on the skin. You may need more or less depending on the size of the area. Don’t be afraid of using too much.
  2. Use a cotton pad to gently rub the olive oil into the skin until the dye starts to come off. It could take several minutes of rubbing to break down the dye.
  3. Using another cotton pad, wipe the skin to clean off all the excess oil and dye.
  4. Apply a few drops of soap to the skin – any soap will do. Add water to the skin, lather up, and then rinse.
  5. Towel dry, and you’re done! 
A young black lady that removed semi-permanent hair dye from her skin using hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball.

Baking Soda and Dish Soap

When combined, baking soda and dish soap form a powerful cleaning solution with light abrasive properties. This makes it the perfect combo to lightly buff away the dye stain on your skin.

Continue reading to find out how to remove dye stains with this method.

Note: This mixture is best used on the hands, arms, and neck as it can irritate facial skin.

Gather Your Materials

  • Baking soda
  • Dawn dish soap
  • Damp Washcloth
  • Dry Towel

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Combine equal parts baking soda and dawn dish soap in a bowl. 
  2. Clean the stained area with soap, water, and a washcloth to remove any dirt or debris that may be on the skin.
  3. Evenly apply the baking soda mixture to the affected area.
  4. Using your damp washcloth, gently work the mixture into the skin. Do this for about 1-2 minutes until the dye starts to come off.
  5. Wipe the baking soda mixture off the skin.
  6. Wash your skin with soap and water, then buff dry with a clean towel.
African American female with bleached hair strands cleaned with clarifying shampoo and dishwashing soap.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is another common household item that can remove hair dye from the skin. The abrasive properties in toothpaste help to scrub away the stain, and the cleansers it contains can help remove stains.

Here’s how to take advantage of this dye removal method:

Gather Your Materials

  • Toothpaste – Be sure to use plain white toothpaste and avoid any gel or whitening formulas – these can irritate the skin.
  • Towel

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Apply a generous amount of toothpaste to the affected areas. 
  2. Gently rub the toothpaste into the skin with your finger using a circular motion. Continue rubbing for about 30 seconds to a minute.
  3. Wash the area with soap and water to remove the toothpaste. Be sure to rinse well.
  4. Pat the area dry with a towel.
  5. Repeat as necessary until the dye is removed.
A lady with curly hair cuticles styled with vitamin E oil and castor oil wearing a professional business outfit.

Exfoliating Acids

Skin exfoliating acids like beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are great for removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. But did you know that these acids can also remove hair dye from the skin?

Here’s how you can take advantage of them. 

Note: Exfoliating acids can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to do a patch test on a small area of skin before using this method.

Gather Your Materials

  • BHA or AHA serum
  • Cotton Pad
  • Face or body wash
  • Towel

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Start by washing the stained area with a gentle face or body wash. 
  2. Apply a generous amount of BHA or AHA serum to a cotton pad.
  3. Gently rub the cotton pad over the stained area. Be sure to avoid any broken or irritated skin.
  4. Rinse the area with plain water and pat dry with a towel.
Young African woman with hair color stains on her skin hoping to remove it with non-gel toothpaste.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, is often used to remove hair dye from the skin.

This method is best used on small stains, given that rubbing alcohol can be very drying to the skin and emit a strong odor. But people love this method because it’s very quick and effective. 

Gather Your Materials

  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton pad
  • Towel

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a cotton pad. 
  2. Gently swipe the cotton pad over the stained area repeatedly.
  3. Remove the rubbing alcohol from your skin by rinsing it away or patting the skin dry with a towel.
  4. Repeat as necessary.
An African American lady that wants to remove hair color stains from her hair correctly to prevent potential damage.

More Hair Dye

Using hair dye to remove a hair dye stain might seem counterintuitive, but it is extremely effective. Upon application, the hair dye will reactivate the dye on your skin, making it easy to wipe away.

This method works best when the stain hasn’t been on the skin for long, so if you intend to use it, do so as soon as possible after the initial dye job.

Gather Your Materials

  • Splat Hair Dye – Be sure to use the same one that stained your skin.
  • Cotton pad
  • Towel
  • Q-Tip

Dye Removal Instructions

  1. Using a Q-tip, apply a tiny drop of the hair dye to the stained area of the skin.
  2. Rub the dye into the stain using a circular motion. Wait up to a minute. 
  3. Wipe away the excess hair dye with a cotton pad.
  4. Wash the area with soap and water.
  5. Pat the area dry with a towel.
A light-skinned African female with natural curls cleaned with lemon juice and a sulfate-free shampoo.

You Don’t Have to Do Anything to Remove Dye From Skin

The skin naturally exfoliates itself, so all dye stains will fade on their own within a week (or even within a few days if it‘s a minor stain). So, if you don’t have access to any of the products mentioned in the previous steps, you can definitely choose to wait it out. 

Of course, this method requires the most patience. But it is gentler than trying to forcibly remove the dye. So, if you have sensitive skin, we recommend giving it a try.

Related Articles

You now have all the information you need to remove any Splat hair dye stains from your skin with ease! So, the next time you find yourself with a hair dye mishap, don’t panic – just follow the steps in this article, and you’ll be stain-free in no time!