How to get putty out of hair

How to remove putty from hair

1. 1

   Pull off loose pieces gently

   Drape a towel over the shoulders. Pinch off any large lumps of putty that come away easily, holding the hair above them so you don't tug on the scalp.

   Why: Putty sticks to itself better than to hair, so the bulk often lifts off. Less putty means less to work out.

2. 2

   Work in baby oil or conditioner

   Wet the area with warm water, then massage baby oil or a generous amount of hair conditioner into the putty and the hair around it, all the way to the scalp if needed. Let it sit a few minutes.

   Why: The oil or conditioner coats each strand and gets between the hair and the putty, so the putty loses its grip.

3. 3

   Comb it out from the ends

   Hold the hair above the putty and work a wide-tooth comb through from the ends toward the scalp, a little at a time. Switch to a fine-tooth comb for small bits. Add more oil or conditioner whenever it starts to drag.

   Why: Starting at the ends and holding the hair above the tangle prevents pulling on the scalp and breaking strands.

4. 4

   Shampoo, then repeat if needed

   Once the putty is out, wash the hair with shampoo and warm water. If it still feels oily or you find more bits, apply shampoo to dry hair first and wash again.

   Why: Shampoo removes the oil and any thin putty film left on the strands.

5. 5

   Condition and dry gently

   Condition the ends to detangle, rinse, and pat the hair dry with a towel instead of rubbing.

   Why: Hair that's been combed through a tangle is more fragile. Gentle drying avoids more breakage.

Why putty tangles in hair

Silicone toy putty is mostly a silicone polymer cross-linked with boric acid, plus silica filler, a castor-oil derivative and color. It flows slowly like a thick liquid but tears like a solid. In hair, that means it creeps around and between strands, then holds on when you pull. It's an adhesive-type stain, and the methods for fabric and carpet are on the putty stain page.

On fabric, the maker chills putty with ice and dissolves the residue with rubbing alcohol. Hair is different: it's attached to a living scalp near the eyes, so the hair method relies on slippery, skin-safe products instead.

What not to put on hair and scalp

Nail polish remover, acetone, gasoline, paint thinner and similar solvents don't belong on hair or skin. Acetone irritates and dries skin and is an eye irritant, and extension guides warn about the danger of fuels used as cleaning solvents.

The same logic as for gum applies: dermatologists loosen sticky substances with oils, comb gently from the ends, and cut hair only if everything else fails. See gum in hair for the closely related method.

By situation

Putty in a child's hair

Keep it calm and slow. Use conditioner if baby oil feels too messy, work in small sections, and take breaks. Holding the hair above the tangle while you comb keeps it from hurting.

Putty pressed close to the scalp

Massage the oil or conditioner right down to the scalp and give it a few extra minutes. Work the putty outward along the strands toward the ends instead of pulling it straight off.

Putty in eyebrows or eyelashes

Use only a little plain vegetable oil or baby oil near the eyes, with the eyes closed, and wipe gently with a soft cloth. Don't use solvents near the eyes.

Curly, thick or long hair

Section the hair and clip the rest away. Curly hair holds putty in its curls, so use more conditioner and expect it to take longer. Detangle the whole section with conditioner afterward.

Putty with glitter or metallic flakes

Use the same method. Glitter and flakes may stay behind after the putty is gone, so shampoo twice and comb through with a fine-tooth comb.

What not to do

• Don't use nail polish remover, acetone or rubbing alcohol on the scalp. Solvents irritate and dry the skin, and acetone is an eye irritant. They're for putty on fabric, not on people.
• Don't use gasoline, paint thinner or similar products. Fuels are dangerous as cleaning solvents and irritate skin.
• Don't yank the putty out or cut the hair first. Pulling breaks hair and hurts the scalp, and oil or conditioner almost always works with patience.

Other methods that work

Vegetable or olive oil

Dermatologists use vegetable oil to loosen gum from hair, and it works the same way on putty by making the strands slippery. It's the gentler choice near eyebrows and lashes.

Caution: It's greasy, so shampoo afterward, applying shampoo to dry hair first if it feels oily.

Petroleum-based lubricant spray

A popular tip because petroleum solvents loosen silicone putty. It's traditional advice with weak evidence, and it isn't made for skin.

Caution: Keep it away from the scalp, eyes and face. Oil or conditioner is the safer choice.

Stain still there?

The putty keeps sticking to the comb

Wipe the comb clean after each pass and add more conditioner or oil. Dry patches are where it drags.

The hair feels greasy after shampooing

Apply shampoo to dry hair, lather, rinse with warm water, and wash a second time.

The scalp is red or itchy afterward

Rinse with lukewarm water and skip further products. See a doctor if a rash, swelling or burning develops.

Safety

• Keep oil and shampoo out of the eyes. If any chemical gets in the eyes, rinse with water and call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
• Never use acetone, fuels or paint thinner on hair or skin.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

Putty on other surfaces

• Putty stains: the complete guide
• Putty on carpet
• Putty on clothes

Other stains on hair

• Stains on hair: the complete guide
• Glue on hair
• Grease and oil on hair
• Gum on hair
• Paint on hair
• Petroleum jelly on hair
• Slime on hair
• Tree sap on hair
• Wax on hair