Chewing Gum Removal: 6 Hair-Saving Techniques

As hairstylists, we are well aware that hair mishaps can occur, and clients often turn to us for solutions. Removing gum from hair without sacrificing its length is akin to eliminating a stain from your cherished garment. It's essential for us to have a few DIY remedies in our toolkit for handling such situations.

Vinegar: This versatile substance offers numerous benefits to our clients' hair, including its effectiveness in tackling unwanted gum. Its acidity aids in dissolving the gum, facilitating its removal. Depending on the hair type, vinegar can be used alone or in a diluted form for finer hair, color-treated hair, or hair with pre-existing damage. This solution effectively severs the bond between the hair and the gum.

1. Prepare the vinegar solution.
2. Submerge the affected area in the solution by either dipping it into a bowl or thoroughly saturating it with a spray bottle.
3. Allow the hair to soak in the solution for approximately 15 minutes.
4. Gently remove the gum using your fingers or a comb.

Ice Cubes: Utilizing ice cubes is a highly effective method due to their cold temperature, which hardens the gum, making it easier to detach. The idea is to eliminate the adhesive properties of the gum.

1. Apply an ice cube or ice pack to the affected area for several minutes until the gum hardens.
2. Once it's solid, carefully break the gum into small pieces.
3. Delicately remove the gum piece by piece.

Natural Oils: Natural oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil are excellent for dissolving gum's stickiness, making them valuable for removing unwanted gum from hair. These oils are commonly found in most households.

1. Apply a tablespoon of oil to the gum.
2. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, enabling it to penetrate the affected area.
3. Gently work the gum out of the hair using your fingers or a comb.

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter, abundant in natural oils, aids in the easy removal of gum from hair.

1. Apply a generous amount of smooth peanut butter to the affected area (note that chunky varieties may be less manageable).
2. Gently work the product in and around the gum using your fingertips.
3. Use your fingertips to slowly and gently slide the gum down the hair shafts.

Hair Conditioner: Once again, conditioner proves to be a versatile haircare product as it can lubricate the hair, facilitating gum removal without causing damage.

1. Apply a generous amount of conditioner to the gum and the surrounding hair.
2. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to soften the gum.
3. Using your fingers, massage the hair surrounding the affected area.
4. Gently work the gum down and out of the hair with your fingers.

Baking Soda: Baking soda functions as a solvent, reducing the stickiness of gum, much like vinegar, by neutralizing the polymers responsible for adhesion.

1. Mix equal parts baking soda and water to create a thick paste for gum removal. Let the paste sit on the gum and the surrounding hair for a few minutes, loosening the unwanted residue, making it easier to work it out of the hair.