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Tips For Skin & Hair For Holi By Dr. Poonam Wadhwani

  

One of the most awaited Indian festivals is right around the corner. With colours and pichkaris, you are waiting to let loose and enjoy the festival of colours. People, from toddlers to oldies, forget their inhibitions and become good sports.   Good-naturedly embrace the spirit of Holi. The after-effects of Holi like allergies, skin reactions and hair fall are not that enjoyable though. Yes, I see you nodding. The chemicals in the colours can harm your body and it’s important to get your gear on to protect yourself.

The chemicals and metals present in the colours today can harm the skin and body. They can have a carcinogenic effect or cause bronchial asthma if inhaled. Organic colours are much safer because they have lesser chemicals and toxins. Of course, herbal colours are the best. Even if we choose to use more eco-friendly and body-friendly colours we still need to protect ourselves from colours that others might use.

Dr Poonam Wadhwani, Cosmetic Dermatologist, shares with us some easy tips on how we can prep our skin and hair before Holi. You don’t need any gear to be allergy-free this Holi.

Things you can apply to save your skin and hair-

  1. Coconut Oil– Coconut oil is available in almost every home. The benefits of coconut oil for medical reasons are innumerable, but for now, we’ll focus on Holi like we need to. Apply the oil gently all over your body. It forms a slippery protective layer and prevents the colours from sticking to your skin and they also wash away more easily later. Apply coconut oil to the roots of your hair as well as the surface to stop it from getting all frizzy.
  2. Moisturiser– Moisturisers and lotions work equally well in protecting the skin. Apply well to make sure your skin absorbs it. Make sure to apply everywhere and I mean everywhere! Don’t forget your fingernails and toenails, earlobes and behind the ears, eyes and the corners of your mouth. If you have acne or are scared of your skin erupting choose moisturizers that are particularly meant for acne-prone skin. This will work better than oil or you can also make homemade acne treatment. Moisturizers that contain paraffin and squalene can help you to avoid infections due to colours. Aloe vera is also the best option for the skin hydrated and moisturized. You can learn more benefits of aloe vera here.
  3. Petroleum Jelly– Good old petroleum jelly is not to be underestimated. It works especially well to protect your lips, ears, nails, fingers and you can even apply it to your neck. Petroleum jelly is the safest measure for anyone, right from kids to adults.
  4. Sunscreen– Holi celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring, or summer (in our case). Use sunscreen to protect yourself, especially your face, from the sun. Waterproof sunscreens are a better choice because people also squirt/throw water along with colour.

Care for Your Hair

As mentioned earlier, oil your hair well. That makes it difficult for colours to stick on. Tie your hair in a bun if you have long hair. This will prevent your locks from being exposed to harmful colours and chemicals.

If your hair suffers from split ends or is more prone to split-ends due to the Holi colours, use a strong shampoo to wash it off. Expecting the colour to come off in the first rinse is definitely not possible. Hence, Dr Poonam stresses opting for a strong shampoo to get both the oil and colour off as compared to antiseptic soaps and shampoos. Post shampooing, she advises using hair serums and conditioners to help retain the moisture of the hair.

The post being splattered and smeared with colours, Dr Poonam says it is okay to leave the colours on you for about four to five hours at the most, but if the colours have strong chemicals, it is best to get them off within two hours. You could get skin allergies due to double exposure- chemicals and the hot sun.

As the weather changes, Dr Poonam advises using sunscreen without fail and choosing facewashes instead of soaps. Post Holi, it is super important to continue moisturizing. As summer sets in, skin gets dry and dehydrated due to the climate or sitting in an air-conditioned room and a good moisturizer is an ultimate way of protecting your skin from harm.

These tips should equip you to celebrate Holi without any skin and hair care worries.

Wish you a very happy Holi!

Also Read:  All About Eczema – Symptoms, Causes & Cure

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