6 Easy Ways To Remove Hair Glue At Home - HairstyleCamp

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If you’ve ever used hair weaves, extensions, or wigs, you probably understand the importance of using hair glue to attain and maintain your favorite hairstyle. That said, you’re probably also concerned about how to remove glue from your hair.

While hair glue does an excellent job of securing wigs and other hairpieces, it can be challenging to remove it when you’re ready to change your hairstyle.

Hair glue ensures that your “fake hair” looks healthy, realistic, and natural while keeping everything in place for the life of your look, which can be as long as two months.

But removing hair glue doesn’t have to be a crisis. With a bit of patience and confidence, and some good techniques and products, you can remove excess hair glue without damaging your tresses.

Quick Highlights

• Work in small sections. Go slowly.
• Do not pull, tug, or “snap” glue off hair.
• Patch test any solvent or strong cleanser before use.
• Condition deeply after removal to help reduce dryness.

Is Hair Bonding Glue Bad for Your Hair?

Yes, glue can cause permanent damage to the hair, either from not removing it at all or by removing it using aggressive methods or harsh products. Hair bonding glue may also cause problems for the scalp because it can burn and block your hair follicles.

Its ingredients include high concentrations of toxic chemicals that can burn and dry out hair, and its fumes can cause anaphylactic reactions in people with allergic sensitivities.

How to Remove Glue From Hair

Water alone will not break down latex or acrylic bonds.

Fortunately, there are some tried and true (and safe!) ways to remove hair glue. Some of them are so fortifying that they also nourish and condition the hair and scalp in addition to removing the glue.

It might be necessary to experiment with different removal approaches, depending on the specific hair glue that was used.

Your hair’s original texture, type, and condition can also play a role in which type of removal method will work best for you.

Because there are so many options, we’ve decided to list them here in order of simplicity and product accessibility.

To learn how to get glue out of hair, work your way through this list until you land on the method that’s best for you.

Safety First

• Before trying any method involving chemicals (acetone, alcohol, or even dish soap), perform a patch test on a small strand of hair or skin to ensure you don’t have an allergic reaction.
• Use solvents in a well-ventilated area. Keep them away from heat or flames.
• Stop right away if you feel burning, swelling, or strong irritation. Rinse thoroughly.
• If glue is on the scalp, near the eyes, or covering a large area, consider seeing a professional stylist.

Method #1 – Your Normal Shampoo Routine with a Twist

Best for: Fresh or light residue from latex-based bonding glue.

Good old-fashioned shampoo and conditioner might do the trick, so start with this method. However, this time mix equal parts of both products and apply them to your wet hair generously.

Pay special attention to the sections that have the glue, and massage it well into those areas. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

As you rinse it out, use a wide-toothed comb to remove the loosened glue. If you see that the process is working, repeat as often as necessary until all the glue is removed. As you continue, use a narrow-toothed comb to remove even more glue.

When finished, deep condition your hair to restore healthy pH levels that might have been stripped due to excessive shampooing.

Method #2 – Ice-Ice Baby – Safe and Secure

Best for: Small, hardened spots of bonding glue on the hair shaft.

Another simple glue removal technique that doesn’t require any special ingredients is the use of ice. Ice hardens the glue, making it brittle. Instead of pulling or snapping the glue (which will break your hair), gently squeeze the frozen glue to crack its bond. Immediately apply a lubricant like conditioner or oil to help the cracked pieces slide off the hair shaft safely.

Fill a small disposable plastic cup with water. Place a popsicle stick or a spoon in the cup and freeze.

Once frozen, remove the “popsicle” from the cup, using the spoon as a handle.

Cover your shoulders with a towel to prevent your clothes and the floor from getting wet. Apply the ice to all the sections of your hair where there is glue. Remove the hair glue with your fingers and comb through.

Tip

If the ice feels too intense on the skin, wrap it in a thin cloth and focus on the glue on the hair, not the scalp.

Method #3a – Rubbing Alcohol Might Do the Trick

Best for: Latex-based bonding glue and tacky adhesive residue.

Who doesn’t have 70% rubbing alcohol in their medicine cabinet, especially these days? It’s cheap, easy to get, and can work miracles on hair that is caked with glue.

Saturate a few cotton balls with alcohol and place them in the areas of your hair where there is glue. Leave them in position for at least 10 minutes; to keep them from falling out, use bobby pins or even paper clips.

Once the alcohol has done its magic, the glue begins to disintegrate. Rub the affected sections of hair with your fingertips, and gently remove the loose pieces of adhesive.

Use a narrow-toothed comb to remove the smaller pieces. After you have successfully removed the glue, wash and condition your hair as usual to combat the alcohol’s drying effects.

Safety Tips

• Do not exceed 20 minutes total contact time, as alcohol can be very drying to the hair and scalp.
• Keep alcohol away from eyes and broken skin. It is flammable, so avoid heat or flames.

Method #3b – Nail Polish Remover

Best for: Very stubborn glue on the hair shaft (especially when alcohol is not enough).

Saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover and place it directly on the glued section of hair.

Acetone evaporates quickly. To keep it working, you may need to wrap the cotton ball in a small piece of foil to trap the moisture. Check every 5 minutes and remove the softened glue as soon as it loosens.

Once the glue lifts, gently wipe away the residue, then shampoo and deep condition.

Safety Tips

• Use acetone in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with the scalp whenever possible.
• Do not leave it on longer than necessary. Acetone is drying.
• Keep away from heat or flames. Acetone is flammable.

My Advice

• If you have a history of skin allergies or dermatitis, consider speaking with a dermatologist before using solvents.
• Learn more about patch testing for contact dermatitis from the American Academy of Dermatology: Patch testing can find what’s causing your rash.
• If you develop severe burning, blistering, swelling, or breathing symptoms, rinse immediately and seek urgent medical care.

Method #4 – Dish Soap

Best for: Stubborn residue when shampoo alone is not working.

Certain brands of dish soap, like Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap are known for their powerful grease-cutting formulations. To make the most of those properties, lightly moisten the affected areas of your hair with a little warm water.

Use a generous amount of dish soap and massage it into the sections that have glue. Massage the dish soap into the glue and let it sit for 15–20 minutes maximum. Rinse thoroughly and immediately follow with a deep conditioner to restore the moisture stripped by the strong soap.

Before rinsing out the soap, use your fingers and a narrow-toothed comb to remove the pieces of glue. Shampoo and deep condition to restore moisture to your hair.

Safety Tips

• Do not cover with plastic, as this can trap heat and cause scalp irritation.
• Rinse well. Dish soap can be drying and irritating on sensitive skin.

Method #5 – Professional Adhesive Remover

Best for: Wig bonding glue or adhesive residue that is not lifting with shampoo, oil, or alcohol.

A professional adhesive remover (often citrus-based) is designed to break down hair system and wig adhesives more predictably than DIY mixes.

Apply the remover to the glued sections of hair (follow the product directions), then gently work the adhesive loose with your fingertips. Use a wide-toothed comb to lift softened pieces as they release.

Once the glue is removed, shampoo thoroughly and follow with a deep conditioner or hydrating mask.

Safety Tips

• Patch test first and follow the label directions closely.
• Avoid the eye area. Rinse immediately if product gets into eyes.

Method #6 – Coconut Oil, Vaseline, or other Lubricant

Best for: Latex-based glue and residue, especially if you want a gentler option.

Rub some coconut oil, Vaseline, or another lubricant, such as butter, over the bits of glue, and leave for at least one hour. Comb gently and use your fingers to remove the pieces of glue. Shampoo and condition as normal.

What you don’t do can’t hurt you! The best way to avoid the hassles of removing glue from hair is not to use it in the first place.

Many glue-free options are available to change your hairstyle or lengthen your hair. Clip-in, tape-in, or micro-ring extensions, or sew-in weaves or wigs, are just some of the ways you can extend the length of your hair and change your look without having to use glue.

FAQs

What is hair glue?

Hair glue is also known as hair bonding glue and is used to bond hair extensions to existing hair. It is a latex- or rubber-based adhesive and one of the most effective methods to attach extensions.

How long does hair glue last?

Hair glue can generally remain 1-2 weeks with a maximum of three weeks. Exactly how long it lasts depends on the oiliness of your scalp and the amount of oil-based product applied to your hair.

Does baby oil remove hair glue?

Oil is effective for removing glue from hair, whether you use baby oil or olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil. The oil should be left on the scalp for 15-20 minutes to give it time to deactivate the adhesive as much as possible.

Can I use a perm solution to remove hair glue?

While perm solution may affect hair glue, removing it is not a good option. With some caution, it is possible to perm hair without affecting the weave bond, so don’t turn to a perm solution to remove the glue.

Can vinegar remove hair glue?

Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will break down the bond between the hair strands and the glue. Using a cloth or cotton ball, press the vinegar into the hair glue and let it sit for a few minutes. After that, the glue will soften, and you can gently take it out using a comb.

Is it safe to use hair glue?

Hair glue can cause safety or cosmetic concerns, which you should be aware of before using it. It can do damage to your scalp, which can be permanent. The adhesive does not allow your hair to “breathe.”It also blocks the pores in your scalp, which can dry out your hair and damage your hair follicles. Most glues for hair contain soluble latex in significant amounts, so if you have an allergy to latex, this is not safe for you to use.You should be aware of the ingredients in the glue you will use, as many of them contain several chemical ingredients that can cause side effects. Depending on the extension’s length and weight, they can also pull on your scalp and cause your hair to thin.

Can hair glue cause alopecia?

Traction alopecia is a specific hair loss resulting from constant pressure on the hair follicle, caused by hair extensions and certain types of wigs or hairstyles. Longer and heavier extensions carry more risk of traction alopecia because they place more pressure on the hair.Hair loss is more common around the hairline since the hair is more delicate in that area.

Does hair glue cause headaches?

The constant pressure from the extra weight on your scalp can cause some people to have headaches. The heavier the extensions or weave, the more likely you will experience headaches from the added pressure.Additionally, the chemicals in glue can cause headaches as you inhale them, which will vary by individual and how sensitive you are to the specific ingredients in the hair glue used.

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