This simple aluminum foil trick can protect your glasses while you color your hair

Coloring your hair at home is an easy way to refresh your look, but it can also create an unexpected problem for people who wear prescription glasses. Since many people need their glasses to clearly see what they're doing, taking them off during the coloring process isn't always an option. Unfortunately, even a small splash of hair dye can leave stubborn stains on the frames or arms of your glasses.

A simple household item, however, may help prevent that from happening: aluminum foil.

How the Aluminum Foil Glasses Hack Works

The hack involves wrapping small strips of aluminum foil around the arms (also called the temples) of your glasses before you begin applying hair dye. The foil acts as a disposable protective barrier, helping shield the parts of the glasses that are most likely to come into contact with dye while you work. Once you're finished coloring your hair, you can simply remove and discard the foil.


Although this is a simple DIY tip, it reflects a practice that has been used by many hairstylists for years. In professional salons, stylists often use disposable covers or similar protective materials to keep clients' glasses free from hair color. Aluminum foil offers an inexpensive alternative that many people already have in their kitchens.

Why This Hair Coloring Trick Is Helpful

The trick can be especially helpful during long coloring sessions, when hair dye sits on the hair for 20 to 45 minutes. During that time, accidental contact between wet hair and eyeglass frames can easily transfer dye onto the glasses, particularly around the temples that rest behind the ears.

For people who rely on prescription glasses to see clearly while applying hair color, protecting the frames can help avoid permanent stains and reduce cleanup after the coloring process.

Hair Dye Safety Tips to Follow at Home

While the foil hack may help protect your eyewear, experts say it should be used alongside proper hair dye safety practices.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends carefully reading and following the instructions that come with every hair dye product. The agency advises users to perform an allergy patch test before each application, wear protective gloves, avoid getting dye in the eyes, and rinse the scalp thoroughly after the recommended processing time. Following these directions can help reduce the risk of allergic reactions, skin irritation, and other complications.

Experts Warn Against Using Aluminum Foil Near Heat

Experts also caution against using aluminum foil near heat sources. While foil is commonly used in professional highlighting techniques, a medical case report published in the 'Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation' documented a rare scalp burn caused when aluminum foil used during a highlighting treatment became excessively hot under a hair dryer, as reported in PubMed. The report serves as a reminder that foil should only be used as a protective covering and should not be exposed to direct heat unless specifically directed during a professional coloring procedure.