Are You Protecting Your Hair And Skin At Holi, Today?

Holi, the festival of colours, is here. We’re sure the party is underway with all the masti and mazaa that goes with it, but for those who are set to begin the celebrations post a festive lunch, make sure your skincare is in place. There are several things to keep in mind, pre and post-playing, that will make a difference to your skin and hair. We asked dermatologists to share their dos and don’ts.

Pre-Playing Care

Says clinical cosmetologist, Dr Debeshi Bhattacharjee, "One must start moisturising the skin on a prior basis so after Holi the skin won't become too dry even after vigorously trying to strip off the colours. Before you head out to play Holi, apply almond oil on your entire body as it's rich in vitamin E, it so won't make the skin dry and will be easier to prevent the colours from sticking to the body. You can also use olive oil. It's important not to wear any make-up and use a sunscreen spray with minimum SPF 30 on your body skin as well to avoid tanning." She adds, "Another tip is to coat petroleum jelly over the lips and around eyes and ears, which will help prevent colours from sticking."

Shares plastic surgeon, Dr Karishma Kagodu, “Using organic and skin safe colours is vital. Also, make sure you oil your hair before going out to play Holi and protect your hair from the colours that can stick onto the hair and dry it out. To be cautious, also avoid swimming, heavy workouts, waxing, threading or facials post-playing, for two to three days.”

Post-Holi Hair Care

It's fun to play with an array of colours, but it's also important to ensure these are removed from the hair after Holi. Says dermatologist Dr Nishita Ranka Bagmar, "Protect your hair from the harsh chemicals that damage your hair and make it matted and tangled, which can further lead to hair fall. Once you are done with all the fun with the colours remember to come home and immediately jump into the shower. One pro tip here would be to use an anti-dandruff shampoo as it has some ingredients in it that help in getting rid of the colours faster. You might also need to maintain the same routine for the next week to repair all the damage that the colour has done to your scalp."

She adds, "It is non-negotiable to use a shampoo and a conditioner to rinse off all the colour and to retain moisture on the hair shaft. After this, be gentle and wait for the hair to naturally dry. Then, try detangling it gently with a wide-toothed comb, starting from below and moving upwards. Once the hair is a little less tangled, run a regular comb into the hair."

Source: TOI