Tips to take good care of your skin Pre & Post Holi

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At the end of February to the beginning of March, the air itself gives you an indication of the beautiful festival of colors with a soothing breeze and alluring weather. Holi is undeniably the most colorful and happening festival in the world, a good blend of rocking music and yummy food. 

Holi is nothing without gulaal, pichkari, gunjiya, dahi-Bhalla, thandai, laughter, and crazy dance. Among all the swirls of colors, buckets of water and fuse of thandai, we need to take extra care of our skin and hair. Since organic gulaal has been substituted with some chemical-based synthetic gulaal and harmful colors nowadays. 

The post effect of colors causes irritation and discomfort to skin, hair, eyes and in few cases overall health. Indeed the saying "Forewarned is forearmed" works well in this situation. Precautions can help you go a long way. 

People frequently ask questions regarding tips for safety from harmful colors. Therefore, we have accumulated a few tips to answers all the questions to avoid inconvenience and health issues after having a fun-filled day.

What precaution we must take on the day itself Or How can I play safe Holi?

Before planning anything else for getting ready on the most awaited day. First, plan to get organic colors or Haldi(Turmeric) or flower petals to play Holi. This would be your first step towards precautions. Avoid chemicals and engine oil-based colors to keep yourself safe as well as your loved ones too. Simultaneously, ask others to follow the same rule.  

Just before an hour of playing, apply body oil or moisturizer from head to toe generously. Apply oil around your eyes. Just a dash of oil on your eyelashes and nails to protect them from gulaal or synthetic color. You can apply nail paint to protect your nails from getting colored with harmful colors. Remember to close your eyes when someone applies color to you.  Alternatively, wear sunglasses to save your eyes. 

To protect your skin, wear something with full sleeves for not being exposed to the colors as well as the sun. You can use waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30-50 for extra protection from the sun. Playing with colors under the sun can make your skin dehydrated and dry. Waterproof sunscreen cannot be washed away easily, thus gives a protective layer for longer.

If you have done your dentures with veneer or braces, use dental caps over them or close your mouth tightly to avoid colors to go in your mouth. If the accident happens, wash your mouth immediately.

The Holi colors stay on my hair for a few days. How can I prevent this from happening?

Playing Holi is fun but after that, the session of cleaning takes away time and gorgeousness of hair. Simply washing with shampoo is not enough to bring life back to your hair. The suggestion is to apply a generous amount of coconut oil on the scalp and hair strands a night prior to playing with colors. Coconut oil is lighter than other oils so it gets absorbed easily over the night to hydrate scalp and hair. By giving a protective shield to your hair, it does not allow colors to stick on them. Thus, with a normal wash with shampoo and conditioner, your hair would live again.

Along with the precaution, If you like to wear a scarf use it to save your hair from the mess.

Is it safe to play when I have treated or colored my hair?

People, with treated or colored hair, have confusion in their minds whether they can play Holi or they should avoid for the sake of their hair. Well, here is the answer to this confusion. If you have gone under any treatment for hair like alkaline, biotin or re-bonding three days prior to Holi. Please avoid playing with colors and water. Since re-bond or other treatment takes at least three days to settle down, so using water is a strict NO for the next three days of the treatment. After that period, it's fine to come in contact with water. Although, don't forget to use shampoo and conditioner which are given to you for treated hair. Follow the same precautions given above to stay away from a big mess.

My skin gets itchy and irritated after exposure to colors. What could possibly be the way to avoid such problems?

Never use non-organic colors and colors made with engine oil. Being aware of what people are applying on you could be an important way out to dodge the itchiness and irritation on skin and hair scalp. Apply oil and moisturizer for sure as mentioned above.  Wear full sleeves tops or kurta and pants to rule out the exposure. 

How do I soothe the redness of my skin after removing the color of Holi? Or, What are Post-Play cautions to be followed?

If you have followed all the do’s and don'ts mentioned above carefully before going to play Holi. You have won the half battle.

When you are done with all the fun of the day, it is time to clean up the mess to rejuvenate your skin and hair again. Wash your face by using a mild or moisturizing face wash. Holi color can be the reason for dryness and irritation when you use harsh soap. If your skin is too sensitive to use anything from the market, make your scrub at home by using all the natural ingredients. Nothing can be better than 'mother nature'.

Use Almond powder, gram flour, honey, baby oil or coconut oil and then, mix a pinch of turmeric. Mix it well and apply this paste to your face and your body. Let it dry for a few minutes then scrub it off gently. Now, it's time to take a shower. This homemade paste would be a blessing to your skin. You will find the difference immediately. Your skin would be soft and clean as before and turmeric will fight with redness and itchiness caused by chemicals. 

Wash your hair with a gentle or moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Use specific shampoo given for treated hair. 

Apply warm oil or moisturizing cream on your full body after your bath. Massage it thoroughly so that your skin can absorb the oil or the cream completely. Massage will restore the lipid balance and natural oils while rejuvenating your skin. Nevertheless, massage can reduce the redness and itchiness; besides, it will soothe your skin.

By following these simple steps, you can protect your skin and hair from harmful chemicals. You will enjoy the festival of colors every year without hesitation or any second thought.

                                                   Happy Holi!