HAVE A CAREFREE HOLI

Want to play Holi yet scared of its effects on health? Read on for tips to enjoy the festival in a safe way

Holi is one festival during which we not only witness a confluence of colours but when we also come together to enjoy some dance, music and good food. “The excitement for the festival in people is abundant but they are also concerned about the side effects of colours used in Holi. Hence, the right precautions have to be taken,” says Dr Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery And Skin Institute, Pune.

For a skin-safe Holi, Dr Shuba Dharmana, dermatologist and medical director, Lejeune Medspa, Bangalore, recommends avoiding waxing, bleaching, threading for two to three days prior to Holi. “Do not do any harsh laser or peel procedures up to five days before. These procedures will make your skin a lot more sensitive to sun as well as to colours. Similarly do not use saunas, sun bathe or exfoliate up to two days prior,” she says.

Given one takes proper preand post-Holi precautions, one can take part in the festivities with lesser stress.

Dr Saurabh Shah, dermatologist, Bhatia Hospital, recommends the following precautions before heading for Holi festivities:

Skin: Use a moisturiser all over the body on the night before Holi to keep the skin moisturised.

Apply a mix of coconut, olive and castor oil on the exposed areas of the body before heading to your Holi party so that the skin is hydrated and greasy. This acts as a barrier between the skin and the colours, and facilitates easy removal of colours.

Playing Holi with dry ecofriendly colours (gulaal) is less harmful. Avoid oil paints as they are usually mixed in lipophilic aromatic solvents, which may penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and cause more damage.

Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 and above to protect the skin from rashes and UV rays. A liberal sunscreen application also minimises the chances of getting photo allergic contact dermatitis — allergy of the skin triggered by sun exposure. Use a moisturising lip balm with sun protection elements.

Hair: Apply a mix of coconut, olive and castor oil on hair to make them greasy to get rid of the colour later easily. For long hair, tying a plait or making a bun is suggested so that lesser area of the scalp is exposed to the colours. For short hair, wearing a bandana or scarf is ideal.

Nails: Avoid going for nail procedures, (like pedicure and manicure) close to the festivities. This may help the colours penetrate deeper in the nail tissues and also increase the chances of nail infection. Applying a base coat or a nail paint before playing Holi is advisable. Men can apply a greasy moisturiser on the edges of nails.

Many dread the cleansing routine that follows the colour play. Even if the precautionary measures help, it is important to follow proper steps to clean up after Holi celebrations.

City-based dermatologist Dr Geetanjali Shetty suggests the following tips for post-Holi care:

Skin: It is advisable to keep washing the colour off as and when possible. Once you are back home, wash the colour off with plenty of water. Soak cotton wool with a gentle milk cleanser and dab it over your skin. Leave it on for five minutes and wipe it off with moist cotton wool. Then, take a bath with normal or lukewarm water. Use mild soap-free cleansers to avoid further damage to the skin. After bathing apply a moisturiser.

Hair: Use a mild SLS-free shampoo and follow it up with a good conditioner. A good hair mask may be used as it nourishes the damaged hair and makes it less frizzy.

Nails: Use a nail polish remover to clean the transparent nail paint. Then add a tablespoonful of almond oil and one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Mix the ingredients well. Then, soak your fingertips in the solution for 15 minutes. Following this wash your hands with cold water and use a hand cream.

With inputs from Dr Kiran Godse, dermatologist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Dr Saurabh Shah, dermatologist, Bhatia Hospital, Dr Amit Karkhanis, cosmetologist, Dr Tvacha Clinic, and Dr Batul Patel, dermatologist, The Bombay Skin Clinic.

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