Alcohol won`t damage your skin..might sting a bit if you have an already-irritated scalp or scratches, otherwise no. I like to keep it off the hair as much as I can [because alcohol can be ` drying` on the hair] by using a dropper such as is used to put drops into the ears or eyes...that way, you can get your lace release literally onto the lace immediately above the adhesive in a more accurate / targeted manner....yes it`ll get onto the knots, but that can`t be avoided.