Gorilla glue is one of the strongest glues around. You may have seen their funny commercials claiming that it can bond to just about anything.
So the idea of even a bit of the glue getting on your skin can be scary, especially considering that it dries very fast, likely before you have time to get it off.
Thankfully, gorilla glue on skin is fairly easy to remove using easy to find household products.
Is Gorilla Glue Harmful To Skin?
Gorilla glue can cause irritation if it gets onto your skin. But it’s not particularly dangerous. Once you remove it, it does not cause any lasting harm.
What’s dangerous is continuously inhaling the fumes from the glue when you are working with it. This could have long term health effects. That’s why it’s important to wear a mask or respirator when using Gorilla glue, or any other kind of glue.
Ingesting Gorilla glue can also be very dangerous as it can create an obstruction. Call a doctor or go to the ER immediately if you or someone else ingests Gorilla glue.
What Happens If You Get Gorilla Glue On Your Skin?
Nothing serious happens. The glue will simply dry, making that part of your skin feel smooth. If you catch the spill fast enough, you could quickly wipe it off.
But the glue usually dries too fast before you have time to do anything. You shouldn’t experience any adverse effects. In some people however, especially those with sensitive skin, Gorilla glue can cause irritation and itchiness on the skin.
If Gorilla glue binds your skin together – e.g. your lips, eyelids or fingers – that’s a bit more serious. The glue sets and binds surfaces quickly and strongly. Once it dries, you’ll not be able to pry your skin apart without some help.
How To Remove Gorilla Glue On Skin
If you get Gorilla glue on your skin, don’t panic. The glue may be super strong, but it’s not permanent or invincible. It’s relatively easy to get rid of it.
- If the glue is still tacky, quickly wipe it away using a dry cloth or paper towel. But you have to be quick since Gorilla glue dries in less than a minute. Make sure you use a dry cloth, not a wet one. Gorilla glue is activated by moisture, so you might make it stronger if you use a wet cloth.
- If the glue has already dried, the manufacturer recommends washing the area with gritty soap and warm water. If you have an exfoliator or a fine grit sandpaper, you can try that also.
- I’ve seen several people say oil soap, such as Murphy’s oil soap, also removes Gorilla glue on the skin. But it can cause some irritation and dryness, so be sure to moisturize afterwards.
- Other oils and oil-based products also work. These include vegetable oil, vaseline and lotion. Simply spread the oil or vaseline on the area and leave it for about an hour. The glue will soften enough to peel off.
- Alcohol is another effective way of removing gorilla glue from your skin. You can use acetone or nail polish remover. Dab a bit of acetone on the area then try peeling the glue off.
- You can also just leave the glue on your skin, if you don’t mind how it feels. Gorilla glue doesn’t stick permanently on skin. Because of the natural oils on our skin, it will dissolve and peel off on its own within a few days.
What To Do If Super Glue Binds Your Skin
If Gorilla glue binds your skin together, it’ll be harder to remove but not impossible. If the glue has dried, do not attempt to pry your skin apart.
Gorilla glue is really strong and you could tear your skin. Instead, soak the area in warm soapy water for several minutes. Then try gently wiggling your fingers or skin apart. If the skin doesn’t separate, soak for a few more minutes.
You can also try applying vaseline, oil or acetone to that area to loosen the glue enough that you can separate your skin.
If nothing works, seek medical attention.
What if Gorilla glue gets into your eyes?
Immediately wash with warm water. Do not use soap, acetone or any chemical as it could irritate or harm your eyes. Seek medical attention especially if you experience any adverse symptoms like pain or swelling.
If the glue binds your eyelids together, do not try to pry them open. Immediately wash your eyes with warm water and see if that loosens the glue.
If it doesn’t, go to a doctor. They’ll likely have something that can loosen the glue without hurting your eyes.
Do the same thing if you get Gorilla glue on your lips. Wash with warm water and try to gently peel your lips apart. You can also apply vaseline on your lips to help loosen the glue.
What Happens If You Get Gorilla Glue On Hair?
If you haven’t come across the story of the girl who used Gorilla glue on her hair instead of hair glue, here is the video to give you an idea of what Gorilla glue can do to your hair.
When you get Gorilla glue on your hair, it will bind your hair together within seconds. If some of the glue gets on to your scalp, it’ll bind the hair to your scalp.
Unless you deliberately apply Gorilla glue all over your head like the girl in the video, a bit of the glue on your hair is not that bad and you can fix it at home.
Note that Gorilla glue can cause serious damage if it gets onto your scalp. It can block your pores, damage your hair follicles, and cause permanent hair loss.
How To Remove Gorilla Glue On Hair
Whatever you do, don’t try to pull the hair away. You could seriously hurt your scalp or pull out your hair.
Acetone is the quickest way to remove Gorilla glue from hair, especially if you don’t want to wash your hair.
If the glue is just on your hair, apply acetone onto a cotton ball or cloth then pull the hair through it. Do this several times until the glue comes off.
If the glue has gotten onto your scalp, soak a cotton ball in acetone then dab it onto the area with glue. This should soften the glue enough that you can peel it away. Shampoo and condition your hair to remove any remaining bits of glue.
If you don’t have acetone, an oil-based product like vaseline also works. Apply it liberally on the part of your hair or scalp with Gorilla glue. Wait an hour or so then try peeling or combing out the glue.
If it doesn’t come out, keep applying vaseline and leave it on for longer.
If, somehow, you find yourself in the same predicament as the girl in the video, your best option is to see a doctor.
How To Safely Use Gorilla Glue
To avoid these kinds of accidents, here are some safety tips to keep in mind when it comes to Gorilla glue and other kinds of industrial adhesives.
- Gorilla glue is really, really strong. Do not put it on your skin, eyelashes or hair, even as a joke. If you want glue or styling your hair, there are safe hair glues like Got2B made specifically for that.
- Always wear gloves when working with Gorilla glue. No matter how careful you are, some of the glue could still get on your hands. Having gloves means you don’t have to worry about small drips and spills.
- Only apply a small bit of glue to an area. The manufacturer recommends a drop per square inch. Applying too much increases the risk of getting some of the glue on your skin. It also reduces the bonding strength of the glue.
- If you are applying the glue to an area that’s high, wear safety glasses to protect your eyes and a head covering (a shower cape is perfect) to protect your hair from accidental drips.
- It’s not just your skin that you need to protect; Gorilla glue is also bad for your respiratory system. A mask or respirator will protect you from the dangerous fumes.
- If you are working with the Gorilla glue inside, make sure you have adequate ventilation. Alternatively, take your project outside if it’s possible.
