To keep hair dye off your ears and skin, apply a barrier cream such as petroleum jelly along the hairline, over the ears and at the nape of the neck before you start, and cover each ear with a disposable ear cover. Wear gloves, drape an old towel or a cape over your shoulders, and wipe away any drips straight away with a damp cotton pad. Dye that is wiped off wet comes away easily. Dye that dries on the skin stains.
Why does dye stain skin?
Hair dye is designed to deposit color and hold. On skin, it soaks into the outer layer within minutes, and dark shades mark the most. The skin around the hairline and the folds of the ears are the usual victims, because they sit right next to the hair you are coloring.
What do you need?
| Item | Protects |
|---|---|
| Barrier cream or petroleum jelly | Hairline, temples, ears, nape |
| Disposable ear covers | The whole ear, including the folds and behind it |
| Gloves | Hands and nails |
| Old towel, cape or old shirt | Neck, shoulders, clothes |
| Damp cotton pads or wipes | Catching drips as they happen |
| Sectioning clips | Keeping dyed hair off your face and neck |
How to prepare, step by step
- Do the allergy test first. Follow the dye's instructions for a patch test, usually 48 hours ahead. Skip coloring if you react.
- Change into old clothes and cover your shoulders.
- Clip your hair up in sections.
- Apply barrier cream in a band about a finger wide along the whole hairline: forehead, temples, around and behind the ears, and across the nape. Keep it on the skin, not the hair, or the dye will not take at the roots.
- Coat the ears lightly, including the rim and the lobe.
- Put on the ear covers. Slip one over each ear so the whole ear sits inside, with the elastic edge behind it.
- Put on gloves.
- Keep damp pads within reach.
Covers for the ears
The Uexim disposable ear covers are single-use covers designed to help keep water and hair dye out of the ears while showering, shampooing or coloring hair. They come in packs of 100 or 200, which suits regular home coloring or a salon. Use a fresh pair each time and throw them away afterward.
While you are coloring
- Work from the back sections forward, so you are not leaning dyed hair against your face.
- Apply dye with a brush near the hairline, for control.
- Wipe any dye off the skin at once. Do not wait until the end.
- Clip finished sections up and away from the neck and ears.
- Do not push dyed hair behind your ears.
- Keep dye away from your eyes, and never use hair dye on eyebrows or eyelashes.
When you rinse
- Leave the ear covers on for the first rinse, so colored water runs over them and not into your ears.
- Tilt your head back and rinse until the water runs clear.
- Remove the covers and discard them.
- Wash the hairline, ears and neck with shampoo or cleanser on a washcloth, to lift the barrier cream and any dye on it.
How do you remove dye that reached the skin?
- While still wet: a damp cotton pad or a wipe.
- Freshly dried: rub gently with a little shampoo or facial cleanser on a damp cloth.
- Stubborn marks: massage in an oil, such as baby oil or olive oil, or more petroleum jelly, leave it for a few minutes, and wipe.
- Still there: leave it. Skin stains fade over a day or two as the skin sheds.
Do not scrub hard, and do not use harsh solvents, bleach or nail polish remover on your face or ears.
Other uses for ear covers
- Keeping water and shampoo out of the ears in the shower.
- Protecting ears during perms, relaxers and bleaching.
- Shielding ears from hairspray and spray tan.
They are splash covers, not a medical seal. If a doctor has told you to keep an ear completely dry, follow their instructions about what to use.
Common mistakes
- No barrier cream.
- Barrier cream on the hair, leaving undyed roots at the hairline.
- Leaving drips to dry.
- Forgetting the back of the ears and the nape.
- Reusing ear covers.
Frequently asked questions
What can I put on my skin before dyeing my hair?
Petroleum jelly, a thick moisturizer or a salon barrier cream, in a band along the hairline and over the ears.
How long does hair dye stay on skin?
A day or two, usually. It fades as the skin sheds and with normal washing.
Do ear covers fit all ears?
Disposable covers have an elastic edge that stretches around the ear. Fit varies, so check that the whole ear is inside.
Can I reuse disposable ear covers?
No. They are single use.
The bottom line
Barrier cream on the skin, covers on the ears, gloves on the hands, and a damp pad for drips. Wipe dye off while it is wet, and let any faint stain fade.
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