**There is no guaranteed way to remove hardened latex/acrylic paint while preserving every affected hair.** Gentle loosening is worth trying; stop if it requires pulling or causes breakage.

For someone facing this problem:

1. **Wet the affected strands with comfortably warm water and gently shampoo.** Soap and water are the recommended first approach for latex paint exposure. [Poison Control](https://www.poison.org/articles/paints-for-indoor-use)
2. **Apply plenty of conditioner.** Follow its recommended contact time, then gently roll individual paint flecks between your fingers. Conditioner may help loosen and slide off flecks; success with hardened paint is uncertain.
3. **Gently comb out only loosened pieces**, supporting the strand above the paint to avoid pulling at the scalp. Stop when the comb catches. Gentle handling matters because friction and force can damage fragile hair. [American Academy of Dermatology](https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/tips)
4. **If the paint stays firmly attached, have a stylist assess selective trimming**, or let the affected hair grow out.

Avoid paint stripper, paint thinner, turpentine, acetone, and WD‑40 on your hair or scalp. Household paint removers can irritate skin; their effectiveness on painted surfaces does not establish suitability for hair. [Poison Control](https://www.poison.org/articles/paints-for-indoor-use)

Given your update, growing it out and cutting off the affected portions was a reasonable outcome. The delay and your hair’s condition may have contributed, but your experience alone cannot establish how much either factor mattered.