New Delhi: With all those Holi party invitations flying around, tempting foods, family obligations, endless shopping lists, too much 'bhang' and a plethora of colours, people usually end up over-indulging. And then, comes the unavoidable hangover and hard work of scrubbing the colours off your skin.
Once upon a time, this festival was celebrated with natural colours from blooming flowers, but now, it is nothing but a hoo-ha filled with harmful synthetic colours.
This Holi, ring in the vibrant colors and festive mood the natural way, no matter how tempting those shining toxic reds, blues, greens, yellows and purples may seem.
The toxins and chemicals present in the synthetic colours can actually cause a host of problems.
Here are some tips by Dr. Anup Dhir, Senior Cosmetic Surgeon, Apollo Hospital, which will keep you away from the skin troubles.
- Use natural skin-friendly and herbal colours or the ones made by reputed companies using natural products.
- Apply a nice layer of oil to your hair before playing holi and try to protect it with a caps or hat.
- Wear clothes that cover maximum part of your body and also apply a thick layer of a good quality cream or oil to your skin.
- Use more of red or pink colours, which look good and can easily be taken off. Gaudy purple, green, yellow, orange have more harmful chemicals in them and should be avoided.
- Apply thick coating of paint on your nails- both in fingers and toes so that they remain protected
- If irritation occurs wash off the colour from that part immediately.
- In case of a minor rash apply soothing calamine lotion.
- Avoid sunlight in case the skin is seriously affected as it will increase the irritation.
- Cleaning the skin and hair finally of all the colours is the most important aspect. Do not rub the skin vigorously with soaps, etc. to wipe off the gulaal, instead, opt for a cleanser.
- Follow this up with lots of moisturiser, especially the one that is meant for sensitive skin. Liberal use of cold cream or a moisturiser is good for the skin.
- Do not use kerosene, Petrol or spirits to remove the stains as this will further dry the skin.
- After celebrating Holi, it is important to remove colour and replenish and rejuvenate the skin by using a paste of soyabean flour or besan with milk. A mixture of sea salt, glycerine and few drops of aroma oil have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect and can take care of the bad effects of chemical colours.
- To clean, use warm water and moisturising soap to scrub off the colours.
- Using a cream cleanser or baby oil, gently massage off the left over colour.
- In case of any serious injury visit your doctor.
Now that you have started stocking up gujiyas, namak paras, mathris, thandai, kanji or chicken wings and tequila punch, it's time you also pay attention to the colours you will be using. Prepare for a safe and responsible Holi with natural colours, made of turmeric or haldi, flower extracts, beetroot, sandalwood, mehndi and more.
Happy Holi!
