Identification

• A hair dye stain is a dark patch of discolored skin. The color of the stain depends on the color of the hair coloring used. Usually, red and auburn hair dyes will leave magenta stains, black and brown hair dyes will leave black or blue stains and blond dyes tend to leave yellow stains.
  
  

Types

• The severity of the stain and its permanence depends on the type of dye that was used. Temporary coloring stains will usually wash right off. Semipermanent coloring is harder to get rid of, but it generally disappears in less than a day or two. Permanent hair coloring stains are nearly impossible to get rid of and should be avoided. Usually these will last up to a week or until the skin flakes off.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Avoid hair dye stains by taking the proper precautions.
  For home colorings, run a line of petroleum jelly on the skin around your hairline to serve as a protective barrier. Another option is to buy paper headbands made specifically for hair dying. These can be found at beauty supply stores. They wrap around the hairline and prevent color from dropping onto the skin.
  Experienced colorists should never leave staining on their costumers. If you have a colorist that stains you, consider finding another shop to do your color.
  
  

Considerations

• If you have been stained, there are a few ways to get rid of it.
  First, wash your skin with warm water and a creamy soap. Next, use a light exfoliant, such as sugar, on the skin. This will wash away dead skin in the area and the color attached to it. Last, rub the area with a fine emory board in a circular motion. Make sure not to rub too hard and stop as soon as the area starts to feels irritated.
  
  

Time Frame

• The sooner you work to remove the stain, the better it will come off. As soon as you see dye touch the skin, wipe it off with a baby wipe or moist washcloth. Do not allow the stain to dry. This may set it, making it much harder to remove.