Once latex or acrylic paint has fully dried, you may not be able to remove it without losing some of the affected hair. Water-based paint washes out more easily while wet; acrylic paint forms a water-resistant film as it dries. [Crayola](https://shop.crayola.com/paint-and-create/acrylic-paints-bold-6-count-201997A003.html)

Before cutting, you can try these gentle steps:

1. Wet the affected strands with comfortably warm water and shampoo gently. Avoid vigorous rubbing.
2. Apply plenty of conditioner. Work on a small section at a time, holding the hair above the paint while gently rolling the paint between your fingers to see if it loosens.
3. Try a little plain mineral oil or olive oil on stubborn spots. Gently slide off any loosened flakes, then shampoo. The oil may help lubricate the strands, though it is not a proven way to dissolve cured acrylic paint.
4. Stop if the paint stays firmly attached or the hair starts breaking. Don't force a comb through painted clumps.

Conditioner reduces friction and breakage, but it cannot guarantee that the paint will come out. [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips)

Do not use paint thinner, turpentine, paint stripper, or other industrial solvents on your head. Products containing solvents can irritate or burn your skin and eyes. [Poison Control](https://www.poison.org/articles/paint-varnish-lacquer)

Given your update, trimming the affected hair was reasonable after gentle methods failed. What you describe is consistent with stubborn, cured paint. Repeated coloring can leave hair dry and brittle, making it more likely to break during aggressive removal attempts. Your account alone, though, cannot establish whether hair porosity or Colorado's climate caused the paint to stick. [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/coloring-perming-tips)