Acrylic paint can have good coverage and dry quickly, but it's boring to get it off the skin in the event of an accident. Luckily, the skin is oily and non-permeable, which makes it difficult for the paint to adhere to the surface. Removing acrylic paint from the skin depends on a quick treatment of the location and using the right substance to dissolve it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Treating with soap and water
Step 1. Clean the stain immediately
If the ink has just fallen onto the skin and has not yet dried, treat the area right away. Once the paint starts to dry, it will harden and solidify, making removal much more difficult. Ink that is still wet can be washed off without major problems.
It's even more important to take this care with the bigger stains, as they will be uglier and harder to remove once they dry
Step 2. Rinse the area with warm water
Run some warm water over the affected area. The heat will help loosen the ink that has started to dry, and much of the substance will come out on its own. Rinsing the skin also weakens ink adhesion as it makes the skin more slippery.
- You may be able to completely get rid of fresh ink stains this way.
- Acrylic paint is a water-based emulsion, meaning it is designed to be water-soluble.
Step 3. Use a mild soap to wash the area
Mix a mild hand soap or liquid detergent into the water until it lathers and wash the area well, applying firm pressure with your hand or a towel.
Common detergents are ideal for this type of work, as they contain abrasive elements and compounds that penetrate dry stains
Step 4. Repeat and dry
If water and soap can successfully remove the stain on the first attempt, dry the spot and you're done. Otherwise, you may need to repeat the steps until it fades and removes what's left. Try to apply more soap as its surfactants, along with continuous scrubbing, will help remove what's left.
Method 2 of 4: Removing with Baby Oil
Step 1. Wash with warm, soapy water
Moisten the affected area with warm water to loosen the ink and apply a mild liquid detergent over it. Remove as much of the paint as possible in this way and dry the area thoroughly with a towel before applying the oil.
As the relationship between water and various oils is repellent, baby oil will not work if the skin is still wet
Step 2. Rub the oil into the skin
Put about 30 or 60 ml of baby oil directly on the ink stain and massage the product, rubbing the stain with your fingertips, a cotton ball or sponge if it is too resistant. Baby oil is good for breaking down and dissolving acrylic and oil-based dry paints.
- This option is much gentler and more beneficial to the skin than paint removers, which use strong chemicals as primary agents.
- Using a mildly abrasive element, such as a cotton ball or sponge, will help draw the ink away from the deepest contours of the skin.
Step 3. Rinse off loose ink
Run a little warm water over the spot again to wash off the dissolved ink. If necessary, apply a little more oil over the remaining stains. In addition to erasing the toughest ink stains, baby oil will leave your skin soft and hydrated.
Method 3 of 4: Removing Ink with Isopropyl Alcohol
Step 1. Wash the area with soap and water
If the ink has already dried, you will need extra measures to remove it. Start by washing the area with warm, soapy water and loosening as much of the ink as possible to loosen its adhesion to the skin. Scrub the area while washing.
Dry with a towel before treating the stain so the water on your skin doesn't dilute the alcohol
Step 2. Apply isopropyl alcohol to a cloth or cotton ball
Take a towel or large cotton ball and soak it with about 30ml of standard isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol acts as a solvent for acrylic paint, meaning it will break down the paint after it is applied to the skin.
- For ease of application, press the cloth or cotton into the mouth of the alcohol bottle and turn the container upside down, making a perfect circle for scrubbing.
- Using pure isopropyl alcohol is one of the most recommended methods for removing paint from various surfaces.
Step 3. Scrub the ink stain well
Cover the area with the towel or cotton ball to moisten it and give the alcohol time to work. Then rub over the stain with the alcohol, making small circular motions to remove the ink from the skin creases. Rub the area until all the ink comes out, reapplying the alcohol as needed.
You may need to rub a little bit hard to reach the ink that has stuck more to the skin
Step 4. Wash and dry your skin
After removing all traces of paint, wash and dry the area to remove any remaining alcohol. It is slightly irritating and can cause redness and irritation if not rinsed off.
Method 4 of 4: Removing Acrylic Paint with Acetone
Step 1. Run some warm water over the stain
Release and moisten the paint again with water and scrape the flakes and thicker areas with your fingernail. Rinse the area until the bond between the ink and the skin beneath it begins to loosen.
Step 2. Moisten the corner of a towel with acetone
Find a thick, soft hand towel and dip one corner of it into a container of acetone. Remove excess product from the towel before using it to treat ink stains on the skin. Fold or crumple the rest of the towel under this moistened corner to create a surface you can scrub on.
- Acetone is a more aggressive, milder isopropyl alcohol substitute. It should only be used when water, soap and alcohol fail to remove the stain.
- One of the most common uses of acetone is as a nail polish remover, which means it works even against dry acrylic paints.
Step 3. Press the towel over the ink stain
Apply the acetone-soaked towel over the stain and hold it there for 30 seconds to a minute. Acetone can cause some irritation, which is normal. It will fade the dried ink stain as it works on it.
Acetone irritates the skin because of its mildly caustic properties, but it is generally not dangerous. Make sure you have no allergy or intolerance to this product before using it to treat your skin
Step 4. Wipe off the rest of the ink and wash the skin
Rub the spot with the corner of the towel. After removing most of the ink, rinse the towel with warm water and rub again. This will continue to dissolve the ink stain and remove the acetone from the skin. After removing all the paint, wash the area with mild soap and warm water and dry.
Always wash your skin after it comes in contact with acetone
Tips
- Treat ink stains as quickly as possible to make cleaning easier.
- You can also try using alcohol gel or baby oil to loosen acrylic paint that has already dried onto your skin.
Notices
- Although this paint is normally non-toxic, some brands may contain latex, which is a common allergen.
- If you experience allergy symptoms, such as persistent itching, swelling, dizziness, or difficulty breathing after coming in contact with acrylic paint or acetone, see a doctor immediately.
- Acetone should only be applied to parts of the skin covered in dry ink and should not be left in contact with the skin for more than a few minutes at a time.
- Do not use acrylic paint on the body or face as it would be difficult and perhaps painful to remove it from large areas of skin. Only use specific paints for body painting.