How to Cut Out Hair in Photoshop Using Image Masking 2025

Hello, dear readers!

If you’ve ever tried to Cut Out Hair in Photoshop, you know it can be tricky. Hair has fine strands, soft edges, and often blends with the background, making it one of the hardest elements to extract. But don’t worry! With my 10+ years of experience as a Photoshop expert at Photo Clipping Retouching, I’m here to guide you through a foolproof method using image masking in Photoshop 2025.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll master the technique to cut out hair in Photoshop like a pro! Let’s dive in.

Why Cutting Out Hair in Photoshop is Important?

Removing backgrounds is a common editing task in photography, e-commerce, and graphic design. Whether you’re working on model photography, product images, or creative compositions, knowing how to precisely cut out hair in Photoshop will enhance your images and make them look professional.

Tools and Techniques to Cut Out Hair in Photoshop 2025

Photoshop 2025 comes with advanced tools that make hair selection easier than ever. Here are the essential tools we’ll use:

• Select Subject – Quickly detects and selects the main subject.
• Select and Mask Workspace – Provides a dedicated panel for refining selections.
• Refine Edge Brush Tool – Helps to accurately capture fine details like hair strands.
• Layer Masking – Creates a non-destructive way to edit hair cutouts.

Now, let’s go step by step.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cutting Out Hair in Photoshop

Step One: Opening the Image

1. Go to the file option and then click on open.
2. Select the image and open it.

Step Two: Creating Duplicate Layer

Press Ctrl + J to create a duplicate layer.

Step Three: Going to Selecting Option

Go to the select option, then click subject.

Step Four: Selecting the Subject

After selecting the subject, press Alt + F5 to take feather 0.5 and press ok.

Step Five: Taking Out the Subject from the Layer

Press Ctrl + J to take out the subject from the layer.

Step Six: Taking Solid Color Option

1. Turn off Layer 1 and Background Layer.
2. Then go to the Solid Color option.

Step Seven: Selecting the Color

Choose white color and press ok.

Step Eight: Placing the Color Layer

Drag the white layer in the button of the main subject layer.

Step Nine: Looking Out the Edges of the Hair

1. Just look at the hair.
2. It looks like very messy and not smooth at all.

Step Ten: Making Copy Layer

Select the hair area.

Step Eleven: Taking Out the Selection Layer

Press Ctrl + J to take out the layer.

Step Twelve: Dragging the Layer

Drag the layer 3 under the layer 2.

Step Thirteen: Merging the Layer

Select Layer 2 and Layer 3 and press ctrl + E for merging the layer.

Step Fourteen: Selecting Background Eraser Tool

Go to your left side and select Background Eraser Tool.

Step Fifteen: Removing the Background

1. After selecting Background Eraser Tool remove the background perfectly.
2. Make sure not to use too much of it. Otherwise, it will start removing the hair.

Step Sixteen: Selecting the Object

Hold ctrl and click on the layer to image for selecting the object.

Step Seventeen: Masking the Layer

Click on the Layer option, and you will get Layer Mask.

Step Eighteen: Selecting color Replacement Tool

Go to your left-side tool bar and select Color Replacement Tool.

Step Nineteen: Coloring the hair

1. Hold and pick the hair color.
2. Now color it as it needed.

Step Twenty: Final Result

After doing all of this things, you will find result like this.

Step Twenty-one: Saving the Image

Go to your left, click on File, then click on Save As.

Step Twenty-two: Changing the Format

1. First, choose your location to save the image.
2. Now select PNG format and press ok.

Your work is finally over.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

✅ Use high-resolution images for better detail.
✅ Ensure good lighting in your photo for clear contrast.
✅ Avoid over-feathering, which makes hair look blurry.
✅ Fine-tune the mask using the Brush Tool for precision.
✅ If needed, manually paint missing hair strands using a custom brush.

Advanced Techniques for Tricky Hair Selection

Sometimes, complex backgrounds or curly hair need extra effort. Here’s what you can do:

• Channel-Based Selection: Use color channels to refine selections further.
• Background Eraser Tool: Perfect for removing backgrounds with a mix of colors.
• Create a Custom Hair Brush: Paint in missing strands for a realistic look.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ignoring Small Details – Leaving out fine strands makes the cutout look fake.
❌ Using Hard Edges – Avoid using the Eraser Tool; instead, use Layer Masks.
❌ Not Checking the Background – Some stray colors may still be visible; always refine the mask.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Mastering hair masking takes time, but with practice, you’ll get amazing results. Keep experimenting with different images and techniques to improve your skills.

Final Thoughts

Cutting out hair in Photoshop 2025 has never been easier with these advanced techniques. Now that you’ve learned the step-by-step process, it’s time to put your skills to the test! 

Want professional image editing services? Visit www.photoclippingretouching.com – We offer high-quality photo retouching and background removal services to make your images look perfect.

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