HOLI HAI ! Enjoy Holi, BUT WITH CARE

HOLI is a festival of colors & joy. It is a reason to celebrate. But many times, the big day leaves a bad impact on our skin & hairs.  Here are few most important tips to protect yourself this HOLI.

SKIN CARE

1. Go Herbal

Artificial colors contains heavy metals and toxic chemicals like mercury, lead, silica, mica. These tend to irritate skin, cause dryness and cause small cuts on skin. Natural colors like haldi, herbal gulal, flowers are much safer.  

2. STOP NIGHT REGIME. 

If you are into night regime for skin like hydroquinone or retinol in skin lightening or anti aging cream, you need to stop it 3-5 days prior to holi. As these agents make skin more sensitive & vulnerable to colors.  Similarly, if you are using Benzoxyl Peroxide or retinoids for acne. 

In case you are suffering from severe cystic acne, it is better to avoid total contact with colors, as these may flare your condition.

3. HYDRATION IS THE KEY. 

We need to keep skin hydrated from outside & within. Apply a thick coat of thick body lotion/ moisturiser or even oils like olive or coconut oil. Not only it hydrates skin, but also forms a barrier between skin & color thus preventing skin damage.  For general hydration one should drink plenty of water & juices.

4. BARRIER CREAMS. 

Yes, these can save the day. Look for creams containing Zinc Oxide (Zno). Famous before nappy creams can be used here, as the medicinal brands are difficult to find. They form a thick layer and protects from toxic heavy metals in PAKKA colors. 

5. SUNPROTECTION. 

Use a high SPF ( more than 50) sunscreen on top of moisturiser to protect from sundamage & tanning. A physical sunscreen with higher amount of Zinc oxide (Zno) is preferred as its effect starts immediately after application & it supplement the barrier function of moisturiser. Covering skin with full sleeve cotton clothes is also a good option.

6. DECOLOR GENTLY. 

Remember, you want to remove color, not your skin. Removing the color should be gentle. First let the color to dry & then dust it off. It removes a major chunk of color.  Remove color with cotton balls soaked in olive oil or coconut oil. Wash with plain luke warm water. You can add a small quantity of oil in bathing water. Use a gentle moisturizing  syndet soaps or body wash. Donot wash repeatedly, even if the whole color does not come out, it will go away eventually. 

7. MOISTURISE 

After bath oil your skin. Use a fragrance free moisturising body lotion. You can also apply a homemade moisturising face pack with curd, cucumber & oats. 

HAIRS

1.  OIL THEM. 

Apply large quantities of ordinary hair oils like coconut or olive oil. This will protect hair cuticle (outer layer) from colors.  You may wash and condition your hair before oiling.

2 . GENTLE SHAMPOO  

Dry the color. Dust it to remove unsettled color.  Wash with luke warm water & then with mild sulphate free shampoo.  

3. OIL THEM AGAIN

 Apply hair oil, even after washing your hair. This will protect scalp skin from irritant reactions. 

NAILS 

Nails are often the worst affected integument. The color stains can last months, till the whole nails gets replaced eventually.  This happens due to irreversible binding of color to keratin on nail plate. So, what can be done.

1. NAIL POLISH. 

Multiple coats of transparent nail paint or your choice will form a thick layer to protect the nails. Remember to apply it before playing holi.

2.  OIL AGAIN.

Soaking nails in oil after removing nail paint makes the nails supple & shiny again. 

Sometimes, whatever you do, there might be instances where your skin demands just more than regular care. There might be severe dryness, rash, dermatitis after holi. You should always approach a well qualified dermatologist for skin, hair & nails related needs.   

I hope these tips make your holi is bit less stressful and more colorful. Happy HOLI to all.

Dr. Archit Aggarwal 

M.B.B.S; M.D (Dermatology)

KDC SKIN CLINIC 

FARIDABAD