Remove Acrylic Paint from Hair
Acrylic paint is typically used in art or craft projects. Although water-based, acrylic paint can be a nuisance to get out of hair, as the hair would tend to cling to the paint. Acrylic paint also dries fairly quickly, so it is better to try getting the paint out while it is still quite fresh. Below are a few methods for removing acrylic paint from your hair without hurting your scalp in the process.
Contents
Steps
Shampoo Method
The steps outlined below would work best for smaller acrylic spots on your hair, or if only several strands are covered with the paint.
- Wet the hair with warm water or take a warm shower. Massage the parts of your hair with paint with your fingertips to soften parts of the paint which has dried.
- Apply a liberal amount of shampoo to your hair and massage gently. Let the shampoo sit for about 3 to 5 minutes before washing off.
- Run a fine-toothed comb gently through the hair to remove the softened paint.
- Once all the paint has been taken off, rinse the hair thoroughly.
- Use conditioner on your hair to keep the strands smooth.
Oil Method
If the ‘shampoo method’ does not work on its own, you can follow it up with the ‘oil method.’ The oil method is suitable for small acrylic paint spots which have already dried.
- Get some olive oil or baby oil. Rub a generous amount between your palms.
- Run your hands through the part of your hair with the paint. Check that the affected part of your hair is coated with oil, but not dripping.
- Take a fine-toothed comb, and use small, gentle strokes to take the paint off. Make sure to use gentle strokes, so as not to pull your hair from your scalp or to break it off at the ends.
- Continue combing through the hair. Reapply oil on the hair as necessary.
- Once the paint has been completely removed from the hair, shampoo as usual.
Tips
- The oil acts as and added conditioner for your hair, and helps to make it softer.
- Another common household product that you can use to try taking the paint off is peanut butter. Apply it in the same manner as with the oil in the ‘oil method’.
- The steps above would work best on fresh paint that has only started to dry on your hair. Once the paint has dried, it would still be possible to remove, but it would take a longer period.
- If the majority of your hair is covered in acrylic paint, it might be too difficult to try removing it without the help of a professional. Seek out assistance from your hairdresser, as you might end up damaging your hair further if you attempt to remove the paint by yourself.
Warnings
- Do not use chemical compounds such as turpentine or paint thinners to get the paint out of the hair. These chemicals have strong ingredients which have damaging effects on your hair.
Things You’ll Need
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Fine-toothed comb
- Olive oil or baby oil
