With colours and caution

Most of us are aware of the adverse effects of smearing the artificial colours all over each other, the utter fun of doing so with friends and family among shrieks of 'Holi hai' outweighs the worries.
Nevertheless, those who wish for normal skin and hair post the celebration take precautions before and after making themselves a canvas for colours.

The colours you pick up from the market every year add to the brightness, although there is no denying the fact that these colours ruin every part of the exposed skin. Hence, limiting the damage by taking precautionary measures before and after is important.

For Kharghar resident and engineering student, Ishita Sharma, Holi celebration is when she suffers 'approach avoidance conflict'. While she frets about having her hair and skin damaged, she admits that it is very difficult to stay indoors and miss out on all the fun. "A few days before Holi, I am in two minds about celebrating the festival. But I end playing Holi every year.It is impossible to just watch your friends and family have crazy fun. So I join the club despite the frizzy hair and dry skin issues I face later," said Sharma.

Dermatologists and skin experts point out remedies for people like Sharma. Facial skin is one of the most damaged areas as most often the excitement built-up leads people come forward and daub colours all over the face. Dr Jaishree Sharad, noted cosmetic dermatologist and CEO of Skinfiniti Skin and Laser Clinic, loves to play Holi but makes it point to tend to her skin and hair thoroughly. "I make sure to moisturise my body and apply a thick coat of body cream or sunscreen containing zinc oxide. One can also use barrier creams like Protectoderm or Barriderm to avoid the colours seeping in deeper into the skin. It is advisable to splash clean water at regular intervals during the play," said Sharad. She also added that covering the body as much as possible is a good option.

To treat the lifeless texture of your skin post Holi, Dr Sharad suggests you can apply generous amount of olive oil all over your skin before cleansing it. If the colour does not come off try repeating the procedure as overscrubbing will lead to rashes. "In case of an itch, one can apply lacto calamine lotion and if it is a rash, it is safe to apply hydro cortisone cream on it to limit the damage before consulting a dermatologist," said Sharad.

Dr Sharad also points out the any salon treatment three days before Holi, like bleaching, peeling, facial or threading is of no use as it is likely to lead to irritant reaction or skin burns.

Dr Sneh Thandani, cosmetologist and dermatologist in Sai Snehdeep Hospital, Koparkhairane recommends liberal application of warm coconut oil in the hair before stepping out as it will make it easier to remove colours from the hair. People with dandruff can mix eight to ten drops of lemon in the oil and apply, he adds. "It is even better to try and cover the hair with a bandana to reduce contact with colours. After the celebration one should remove the colours as early as possible as the longer they stick to the hair, the harder it is to remove them," elaborates Dr Thandani.

Do not visualise a detergent advertisement while rinsing your hair as using a strong shampoo and rubbing forcefully will only dehydrate and damage your locks. "It is better to use a mild shampoo and continue washing for a day or two more if the colours do not come off immediately. Completing the ritual with a hair conditioner or leave-in hair serum is a must," he advises.

Moushmi Mehta, a Koparkhairane resident says that after Holi she suffers nail breakage and yellowing after handling synthetic colours. A visit to the dermatologist told her it was because of the colours getting settled in and loss of moisture.

"The colours tend to accumulate in the nail folds, so you can protect them by applying nail paint on finger and toenails. Applying and massaging petroleum jelly beneath them and also over it is good to prevent permanent staining of your nails and adjacent area," added Thandani.


Taking care before and after Holi

Before

Apply a thick coat of body cream or water proof sunscreen containing zinc oxide before.
Apply barrier creams like Protectoderm or Barriderm to avoid the colours seeping in deeper.
Splash clean water at regular intervals during the celebration.
Do not go in for salon treatments a few days before Holi
Apply liberal amounts of warm coconut oil in the hair before stepping out
Try and cover the hair with a bandana to reduce contact with colours.
Apply nail paint or a base coat on finger and toenails to avoid severe staining.



After
Apply generous amount of olive oil all over your body before cleansing it. After a bath, moisturise well again.
If there is itching apply lacto calamine lotion and if it is a rash apply hydro cortisone cream before consulting a dermatologist
Use a mild shampoo and continue washing for a day or two more if the colours do not come off immediately.
Use a hair conditioner or leave-in hair serum