Protect Your Skin & Hair This Holi!

Holi is just around the corner. Its a celebration to welcome the ‘New & Fresh’. This is the time when Nature renews and refreshes herself. With a little care, we can do the same for our skin and hair and eventually sustain our youth and beauty. Holi is all about Gulal and colors! These days, the dry Gulal and the wet colors that we use are not derived from natural sources. They contain chemicals, shiny particles of mica and even lead, which irritate the skin and also lead to hair woes when collected on the scalp. To save you from such skin hair worries, here we are presenting Holi Skin & Hair Care Tips by IBASC

Skin Problems Caused By Holi Colors

When we play Holi with colors, our skin suffers the most. This is due to the fact that the artificial colors contain chemical compounds that is harmful for our delicate skin. It leads to skin allergies in the form of eczema and dermatitis.

• Eczema is an outcome of the adverse effects of the artificial colors. In this hypersensitive skin condition, it becomes rough and inflamed. It is accompanied by flaking and blisters along with itching.
• Dermatitis is another allergy that takes place due to chemical reaction of the colors. The symptoms include strong itching, pain and blisters

Skin Care Tips Before Holi

• The artificial colors that are used in Holi comprises of harmful chemical compounds and dyes that can be detrimental for the skin. Metal extracts present in the artificial chemical colors, are also culprit behind serious health hazards. As a result, the skin becomes susceptible to allergies (such as Eczema and Dermatitis), Pneumonitis, Rhinitis etc. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and look post the skin.

• Before stepping out to play with colors, apply a toner to unclog your skin pores and for preventing damage on your skin. Apply a thick layer of moisturizing lotions containing SPF on the skin to avoid skin complications arising from artificial colors. A natural concoction of coconut oil, castor oil and olive oil can also shield the ears and the skin around it.

• Use natural and herbal colors instead of artificial ones as they are gentle and harmless on the skin. Moreover, if you have sensitive skin, natural colors are handy. Natural colors are Eco-friendly and are made from gentle ingredients such as henna, turmeric, marigold flowers, tomatoes and tea.

• Drink loads of water for keeping your skin hydrated and preventing the colors to penetrate into your skin.

• Wear dresses with long sleeves and full length bottoms for protecting your skin.

• Avoid exposure of your skin to the sunlight as it will make it difficult to remove colors.

• Avoid putting any kind of makeup on the skin.

Skin Care Tips After Holi

• After playing Holi, remove the color by cleaning your face with a cream based cleanser by using a cotton ball. Do not use harsh soaps on wet skin for removing the colors as it will make it dry.

• If you encounter any kind of skin problem after applying the colors, rinse it off as soon as possible with plain running water.

• Don’t use kerosene, spirit or petrol to remove color because they are harsh chemicals that can erode the skin’s upper layer.

• In case, if the Holi colors are stubborn and you are not being able to remove it easily then make a skin pack with 1 tsp of besan, 2 tablespoons of milk powder and few drops of lavender oil. Form a thick paste and apply it on your skin. Then go for a bath. You can also make a skin pack by adding 2 tablespoon of besan and sandalwood powder, and 1 tablespoon of orange peel and milk. Add sandalwood essential oil and mix the ingredients thoroughly to form a rich paste. Apply it on your skin before taking your bath.

• If you have got an oily skin, make a skin pack with papaya, lemon juice and milk powder. Apply it on your skin and wash it off after 20 minutes. If you have a dry skin make a skin pack with honey, mashed banana and sea salt removing colors. It is also excellent for hydrating and exfoliating the skin.

• Harsh colors may leave your skin itchy and stingy. After you’re done playing with colors, take a bath with lukewarm water. After the bath, apply a moisturizer to soothe your skin. But if you experience itchiness or any other serious symptom appears like redness or rashes on the skin, consult skin specialist as soon as possible.

 Hair Care Tips Before Holi

• Tie your hair and make a side ponytail or a bun and cover your head with a scarf for protecting it against harsh chemicals present in the Holi colors. You can also go for for braids for making a fashion statement. Never leave your hair open as it will be more susceptible to getting tangled and damaged.

• Massage your hair gently with oil on the Eve of Holi and repeat it once again during the morning. Make sure that the oil is applied from root to tip so that it becomes nourished. Using coconut or castor oil is the best option as it will shield your hair from the possible damages of chemical colors.

Hair Care Tips After Holi

• Wash your hair with plain water to get rid of the colors. Use a shampoo on your hair as it is gentle. Follow it with a mild conditioner. Another effective remedy to remove color from hair is lemon juice.
• For improving the texture of your hair after Holi, take yogurt and rosemary essential oil and form a rich paste and apply on the scalp. Keep it for half an hour and rinse it off.
• A homemade hair pack with a mixture of henna , lemon juice and curd is also beneficial for removing colors from the hair after Holi. Apply and keep it for 1 hour before washing.
• Take your bath after sometime you finish playing Holi.
• As hair becomes dry after Holi, it is best to condition it deeply. Prepare a homemade remedy with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and coconut oil, and then add 1 teaspoon of castor oil, glycerin, vinegar. Apply the concoction on your hair and the scalp and keep it for 30 minutes before rinsing. If you encounter hair loss post Holi , prepare a paste of one tablespoon vinegar and three tablespoon essential oil and use it on the scalp. If hair loss is severe, go for hair treatment provided by Dr. Vishal Patel  Not only hair loss problem will be fixed, you will feel it is becoming revitalized with the treatment.

A few Precautionary Important Points 

•  Protect your ears: Ears are often neglected as we get busy in cleaning other body parts. We understand that it is tough to clean ears but what should you do if colors get into the ears? Oiling is the best way to clean them. Put a few drops of olive oil or lukewarm mustard oil in cotton and keep it inside your ears. Remember, the cotton swab should be placed in such a way inside the ears that it doesn’t get deep into the ear hole.

• Protect your eyes:Wear sunglasses or even clear glasses and protect your eyes from harsh colors and colored water. Do not wear contact lenses as it may increase irritation in the eyes.
• If dry colour gets into your eyes, thoroughly wash your eyes as it can lead to long-term irritation. Use tap water, not too cold or hot. Continue to rinse your eyes until the colour is properly washed. If you still feel discomfort, consult a doctor immediately.

• Protect your mouth:Gargle with water and wash off the colors that you have ingested. One precautionary method that you should take while playing Holi is not to eat anything without washing hands. While playing, people tend to eat food and snacks without cleaning their hands.

A safe Holi is always the best Holi. Follow the above-mentioned pre and post Holi skin and hair care tips and keep them healthy, protected and safe. Have a blast with your friends and family this Holi.