How to Get Pen off Your Skin

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So that cute girl finally gave you her number by scribbling it on the back of your hand. You're super excited, except you don't want to get home and have your nosy little sister start questioning you about whose digits are on your skin. Or maybe you've been taking notes at school all day and end up with pen ink smeared all over the side of your hand (this is a daily struggle if you're a lefty). Even worse, maybe the kid you're babysitting for got hold of a ballpoint and decided to scribble all over her face. Whatever the reason is, you want that ink wiped out without a trace. Read on to learn different methods for safely removing pen marks from your skin.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Removing Pen Ink with Household Items

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    Wash the ink off with soap and water. This is probably the easiest and most accessible solution. If the ink is oil-based, as many ballpoint pens are, you may not have much luck, but if the pen uses water-soluble ink, it should wash off right away.
    • Water-based inks tend to seep through paper and take longer to dry, so they are more likely to smear and get on your skin.
    • Roller ball pens and some gel pens are usually water soluble.
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    It will be kind of gross and may get messy, but the oils in these products will help dissolve the oil contained in the ink. Dissolving the ink will bring it to a liquid state, and when you clean off the butter or shortening with a dry paper towel, the ink should start to come off.
    • This same principal means that oils like coconut oil, baby oil, or olive oil will also help dissolve the ink. Pour some oil onto a paper towel and use it to scrub off the ink.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Pen off Your Skin
    Toothpaste contains baking soda, which will pull the ink off the surface of your skin. [1] The toothpaste may cause your skin to tingle. Use a damp cloth or water to rinse off.
    • Look for toothpaste that isn't see-through (or gelled) or sparkly. It should be an opaque paste and will often be white.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get Pen off Your Skin
    After making yourself a cup of tea , set the tea bag aside and allow it to come to room temperature. Once cooled, scrub the ink with the tea bag. It should rub off easily. [2]
    • The oils in the tea, combined with the rough fabric of the bag, will work together to break down and lift the pen off your skin. [3]
    • Don't be too harsh when you rub the tea against your skin, or you may break the bag and spill tea leaves everywhere. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Removing Pen Ink Using Solvents

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    The alcohol in hand sanitizer will break down and loosen the pen. Wipe the area with a clean cloth and the ink will wipe off with the sanitizer.
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    Rubbing alcohol is often your best bet for removing the oil-based ink found in most pens. It dissolves oils, allowing you to wipe the ink off your skin. Many other cleaning agents use alcohol as the main solvent, so using it straight should give you the best results.
    • Try not to use the rubbing alcohol in a small, confined space, as the smell is very strong. [5]
    • Isopropyl alcohol and its fumes are extremely flammable, so don't use it around an open flame or heat source. [6]
    • The alcohol will also remove your body's natural oils along with the pen, so you should moisturize after rubbing it on your skin.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Pen off Your Skin
    If you don't have rubbing alcohol on hand, look for an alcohol-based hairspray instead. The alcohol will break down the ink. Depending on the concentration of alcohol used in the hairspray, it may take a few applications to remove the ink. [7]
    • The hairspray will leave behind a sticky residue, so once the ink has been removed, rinse your skin with soap and water. [8]
    • Hairspray is highly flammable, so be careful when you are spraying it. You should never use it anywhere near an open flame.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get Pen off Your Skin
    The solvent acetone will cause the pen ink to break down and dissolve, similar to rubbing alcohol. It is also highly flammable like alcohol, and the vapors can be toxic in large amounts, so use in a well-ventilated area.
    • Acetone can be very harsh on your skin, so use it sparingly and be sure to rinse your arm with soap and water and moisturize afterwards.
    • The amount of alcohol in hand sanitizer varies. Look for one that is 60%-90% alcohol. [9]
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    Vinegar contains the acetic acid, [10] which is an effective solvent that can dissolve oil and many other compounds.
    • Using a rough paper towel will help exfoliate the skin,and remove layers of dead skin cells that are stained by the ink.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Why can't I get the ink off with soap and water?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes the ink sticks to your skin, try rubbing shaving cream on it, then washing it again.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 53 Helpful 90
  • Question
    What can I do if I don't have these things?
    Community Answer
    Try washing it with simple soap and scrubbing your skin with a little bit of pressure while the soap is still on.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 69 Helpful 73
  • Question
    Can I get ink poisoning from drawing on my skin?
    Community Answer
    Yes; however, it is very hard to get it. You'd need massive amounts of ink to contract ink poisoning. Try to stay away from using a Sharpie and don't draw on a cut or open sore on your skin. A small doodle won't hurt though.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • You can't get ink poisoning from drawing on your skin. Pen ink is not generally considered poisonous, and you should only be concerned if you've swallowed a large amount of ink at once. [11]
        Thanks
      • If any of above don't work or you don't have the materials, a cut lemon rubbed on the ink does the trick. Leave it on for three minutes then wash off with soap and warm water. After this apply hand cream to stop your hands getting dry.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://home.howstuffworks.com/uses-for-baking-soda-clothing-care-ga.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ1LlDrFkrM
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ1LlDrFkrM
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ1LlDrFkrM
      5. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/rubbingalcohol/
      6. ↑ http://cleanmyspace.com/rubbingalcohol/
      7. ↑ http://www.stain-removal-101.com/ballpoint-ink-stain-removal.html
      8. ↑ http://www.stain-removal-101.com/ballpoint-ink-stain-removal.html
      9. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3291447/
      1. ↑ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-white-vinegar.htm
      2. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002791.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get pen off of your skin, try wetting a washcloth with rubbing alcohol and rubbing the ink off with it. You can also try using hairspray, acetone nail polish remover, or hand sanitizer. Even white vinegar can work in a pinch. Another option is to rub an oil, like olive oil, baby oil, or coconut oil, over the ink stain and then wipe it away with a paper towel. The oil will dissolve some of the oil in the ink so it’s easier to wipe off. Alternatively, try rubbing some non-gel toothpaste into the stain. Toothpaste contains baking soda, which can help pull the ink out of your skin. Whichever method you use, you may need to try a few times before all of the ink comes off. If you want to learn other ways to remove pen, such as using hand sanitizer or toothpaste, keep reading the article!

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      • Joyce Ferninn

        May 13, 2017

        "I cut up a pen very stupidly and wound up with ink on my hands. I was in a panic when I remembered my mother ..." more
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