When it comes to dying our hair, we’ve all been there when it comes to stains. But how do get hair dye off acrylic nails?
Have you ever had an issue where your hair dye has stained your acrylic nails or gel nails?
Keep on reading for some helpful tips on how you can get rid of these hair color stains…
Why does hair dye stain acrylic nails?
The main reason why hair dye can stain your acrylic nails or gel nails is because of the ingredients in hair dye.
Hair dye usually contains two main types of dyes: direct dyes and oxidation dyes.
Direct dyes can be found in temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes, and these are the type of dyes that are more likely to cause staining on your nails.
Oxidation dyes are found in permanent hair dyes, and while they’re less likely to cause staining, it’s still possible.
How to get hair dye off acrylic nails?
There are a few different methods you can try, to get hair dye off nails, without having to book an appointment to get your nails done with your nail technician.
The first being a non-acetone nail polish remover.
It’s essential that you use an acetone free nail polish remover, as you don’t want to damage the acrylic overlay on your nails.
Once you’ve tried the nail polish remover to try and remove hair dye from acrylic nails, soak your nails in a mix of dish soap and water for 10 mins.
Dish soap is notoriously abrasive, and that alone can help remove hair dye stains.
You can also try using hairspray. Make sure you remove the excess hair dye with a cotton pad first.
Spray your acrylic nail until the entire nail is wet from the hair spray can, then use a q-tip to wipe off the excess, gently buffing the hair dye stain on the nail bed, and it should remove the stain after 10–15 minutes.
You might need to use a nail brush, for a little more intensive brushing on the surface of your nails. Ensuring you rinse with hot water afterward.
If those still haven’t worked, try rubbing a baking soda paste onto your nails, and leave it to sit on the stain for 5 mins, and then rinse away, to lift hair dye stains.
Then you could try alcohol wipes, as they’re designed to break down hair color stains for gel nail polish.
You could try an amount of baby oil, as baby oil works wonders on stains, so you could help remove your hair dye stains on the surface of your nails.
Some even say whitening toothpaste will help, as it’s designed to lift up stains on the teeth, so it makes sense that it’d work on the nails, for lifting up hair dye stains too.
You could try dish detergent, as it’s known for being effective at removing stains on the nails, and around the home.
Lastly, you could try apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, to help you remove those stains.
Always follow up with a cuticle oil, as these steps will be extremely drying on your nails and cuticles.
What is the hair spray method, when trying to remove hair dye stains from acrylic nails?
The hair spray method is often used to help remove the dye stains from acrylic nails or natural nails.
This technique works by applying a generous amount of aerosol hairspray directly over the stained nail.
The chemical components of the hairspray then work together to break down the dyes.
Lifting them from the surface of the acrylic and allowing them to be removed easily with a cloth or cotton swab.
In order for this method to be effective, it is important that you use an aerosol type of hairspray instead of a cream-based formulation, as this will provide better coverage and ensure that all parts of the stain are covered evenly.
It is best practice to allow the hairspray to sit on your acrylics for at least 10 minutes before wiping away.
This will give it enough time to effectively dissolve the colorant particles which cause staining.
Once you have completed this process, use a damp cloth or cotton swab lightly soaked in warm water to wipe away any residue left behind by the hairspray solution.
Be sure not to scrub too hard as you could damage your nails in doing so.
Finish off with a dab of nail polish remover if needed – again being careful not to apply too harshly – and then follow up with an appropriate moisturizer/nail conditioner.
How to remove hair dye from gel nail polish?
Removing hair dye from gel nail polish can be a bit tricky, but thankfully there are easy solutions to get the job done.
Start with good nail care; keep your nails trimmed and filed, then apply moisturizer every couple of days to keep them hydrated and healthy.
If you’re wanting to remove hair dye from the polish itself, opt for an acetone-free remover, as this will not cause your gel polish to degrade or leave streaky stains behind.
You can also try using a cotton swab or cotton ball saturated with rubbing alcohol, then gently dabbing the area you want to remove the hair dye from until it starts to lift away.
With both of these methods, it’s important that you work carefully and quickly so that your nails don’t become damaged by prolonged exposure to either the acetone or the alcohol.
How to get pen marks off acrylic nails?
If you find yourself with pen marks on your acrylic nails, there is no need to panic.
There are a few simple steps you can take to remove the ink and restore your nails to their original state.
First, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and hold it against the stained nail for a few seconds.
Then, use a toothbrush or nail brush to gently scrub the nail in a circular motion. Rinse the nail with warm water and dry it with a soft towel.
With a little bit of elbow grease, those pesky pen marks will be gone in no time.
How to get Sharpie off acrylic nails?
If you’ve ever gotten Sharpie on your clothes, you know how difficult it can be to remove.
The same is true for acrylic nails – the permanent marker can quickly stain the tips, leaving you feeling frustrated.
However, there are a few simple tricks you can use to get Sharpie off your nails.
First, try using rubbing alcohol. Dab a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and then gently rub it over the stained area.
The alcohol will help to break down the ink and make it easier to remove. If that doesn’t work, try using nail polish remover.
Soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and then hold it against the stain for a few minutes.
The nail polish remover will help to dissolve the ink so that you can wipe it away.
With a little patience and elbow grease, you should be able to get rid of the Sharpie stain and enjoy your beautiful manicure once again.
How to get superglue off acrylic nails?
There are a few different ways that you can remove superglue from your acrylic nails, and it is one of the more stubborn stains when it comes to false nails.
The first thing that you can try is nail polish remover. Simply soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and hold it against the glued area for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, the superglue should start to loosen, and you should be able to scrape it off with your fingernail.
If nail polish remover doesn’t work, you can also try using acetone. You can find acetone at most drugstores or beauty supply stores.
Soak a cotton ball in acetone and hold it against the glued area for a few minutes.
After a few minutes, the superglue should start to loosen, and you should be able to scrape it off with your fingernail.
If you still can’t get the superglue off, you can try using a scrub brush or abrasive pad.
Scrub the glued area gently with the brush or pad until the superglue comes off.
How to get gems off acrylic nails at home?
Want to take those dazzling gems off your acrylic nails, but don’t want to make a trip to the salon? No problem!
With a little care and the right supplies, you can remove your gems at home without damaging your nails. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A small bowl or cup
- Nail polish remover
- A cotton ball or Q-tip
- A toothpick or other sharp object (optional)
- Petroleum jelly (optional)
First, pour some nail polish remover into the bowl or cup.
Then, soak the cotton ball or Q-tip in the remover and apply it to your nails. Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the adhesive.
Once the gems are loose, you can gently peel them off with your fingers or use a toothpick to pry them off.
If any adhesive remains on your nails, apply more nail polish remover and let it soak for a few minutes before wiping it away.
For stubborn adhesive, you can try applying a small amount of petroleum jelly to loosen it.
Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when you’re finished to remove any residual chemicals.
How to get scuff marks off acrylic nails or natural nails?
If you’ve ever gotten scuff marks on your acrylic nails, you know how difficult they can be to remove.
The good news is that there are a few simple techniques you can use to get rid of them.
First, try using a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab to gently scrub the mark.
If that doesn’t work, you can try using nail polish remover or acetone. Be sure to use a non-acetone nail polish remover for acrylic nails, as acetone will damage the nails.
Dip a cotton ball in the nail polish remover and hold it against the scuff mark for a few minutes.
Then, use the toothbrush or cotton swab to scrub away the mark.
If these methods don’t work, you can try using a magic eraser or white vinegar.
First, dampen the magic eraser with water and then gently rub it over the scuff mark.
If you’re using white vinegar, mix it with an equal amount of water and apply it to the scuff mark with a cotton ball.
Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth, and that could help with the stubborn dye marks on your natural nails.
How to protect your acrylic nails when applying hair dye?
- Wear protective gloves: When applying hair dye, it is recommended to wear gloves. This will help protect your acrylic nails from the chemicals found in the dye, as well as any staining that may occur.
- Apply a barrier cream or Vaseline: Before beginning to apply any kind of dye, coat your cuticles and the skin around your nails with a barrier cream or Vaseline. This will act as a protective layer against the dye and help to prevent staining.
- Use an old toothbrush: When applying the dye, use an old toothbrush to evenly distribute it through your hair. This will ensure that you don’t get any of the dye on your acrylic nails.
- Rinse thoroughly: After you have applied the dye, rinse your hair, and your nails, thoroughly with cool water to wash the dye away. This will help to ensure that all of the chemicals are gone and that you’re not left with stains on nails.
- Wipe away any excess dye: Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away any excess dye mixture that may have landed on your acrylic nails. This will help keep them looking shiny and new, even after you’ve dyed your hair.
Summary
How to take hair dye off acrylic nails? Acrylic nails are susceptible to staining from a variety of materials.
To remove these stains, you can use nail polish remover, acetone, a scrub brush or abrasive pad, petroleum jelly, or white vinegar.
With a little care and effort, you can remove stains from your acrylic nails at home without damaging them.

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.
As well as owning Makeup Muddle, I also own GemmaEtc.com, and love sharing my thoughts and feelings about the greatest (and not so great) beauty products!