This Holi, protect your hair and skin with these dermatologist-approved tips

Holi is one of the most colourful festivals of the world. It brings happiness to many, but for a few of us, the very thought of celebrating the day brings with it a fear of rashes, skin allergies and acne breakouts.

Synthetic Holi colours contain harmful chemicals that can cause severe skin irritation. Washing off these colours with your usual body wash and shampoo is not enough. A lot of skin damage can be prevented just by switching to organic holi colours.

Here are a few tips that will protect you from the negative effects of Holi colours, and will also help in repairing the aftermath.

1. Olive and jojoba oil

Apply a mixture of olive oil and jojoba oil to your skin and hair, the night before holi. Olive oil is rich in squalene and jojoba oil is rich in ceramides. These ingredients deeply hydrate your skin, and restore the protective skin barrier. This prevents rashes and also helps in removing the Holi colours easily.

2. Skin repairing body lotion

Apply a rich body lotion head to toe, an hour before you play Holi. This will provide extra hydration and protection to your skin. Pick a lotion that is meant for extra dry skin. Such lotions contain more emollient oils and wash off less easily, while you drench yourself in wet Holi colours.

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3. Flour and curd

Wash excess Holi colour with an organic shower gel, and then use this face and body scrub. Make a paste with a few tablespoons of oats flour and curd. This scrub will gently lift off dead skin cells that are holding colour. Oats are rich in avenanthramides, which soothe and hydrate the skin, while curd provides probiotic nourishment to restore your skin.

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4. Deep conditioning

Wash your hair with an organic hydrating shampoo, and consider a deep conditioning hair treatment to restore your tresses. Boil half a cup of flax seeds with two cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and apply it to your hair for an hour. Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. They help in restoring the oil-moisture balance of your hair.

Here’s what you need to remember

Organic holi colours rarely cause any skin irritation or hair damage. If your skin is stained with colour, in spite of these tips, then just give it some time. Continue nourishing your skin and hair, with a deep hydrating lotion and hair conditioner.

In case of rashes, it is safe to apply calamine lotion and take an anti-allergic medication for the day. But make sure you consult your dermatologist the next day.

Skin care do’s and don’ts during Holi

• Avoid salon treatments such as manicure, waxing, hair rebonding, bleach and facial at least three days prior and after you play Holi.
• Use warm water, organic skin care and hair products to wash colour.
• Don’t be aggressive in scrubbing the colours; this will most definitely cause rashes.
• Don’t go overboard with home remedies, especially those involving lemon and various scrubs.