MINAL SANCHETI speaks to some skin care experts and gets guidelines on protecting it from colours while playing Holi.
The time of the year is back when you could have all the fun with your friend playing with colours and water. But in the excitement let’s remember to take every possible step to protect our beautiful hair and skin from the harmful chemicals and scorching sun rays.
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— By | Mar 18, 2016 05:56 pm
As opposed to other festivals, Holi is one occasion which screams out fun, food, and, frolic! This year
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Celebrity Dermatologist and author of ‘Age Erase’, Dr. Rashmi Shetty gives some must-follow tips before Holi, “The chemicals in the color can spoil the skin. So it needs a barrier that can shield the skin from harmful colours from touching your hair and skin, causing the damage. Applying coconut oil on the face and hair is the best.
Instead of oil you can also apply nice thick cream on your face. To avoid toxic colours wear full clothes when playing. You can also apply loads of water based make up on your face as that itself acts as a protection, especially foundation and makeup base.”
Moisturizing and keeping the skin hydrate is a must. Cosmetologist and skin expert, Dr. Madhuri Agarwal talks about moisturizing the skin, “Since Holi is generally towards the end of winter season our skin is already dry and depleted of moisture. A dry skin is more vulnerable to chemical damage and skin problems. Hence start moisturizing your skin few days before Holi to minimize the skin damage. Try moisturizing the exposed areas like face, nape of neck ,arms and legs at least 3-4 times a day and apply the moisturizer all over the body 30-45 minutes before you step out so it is well absorbed by the skin..Use a dermatologist prescribed ceramide repair moisturizer such as Cetaphil Restoraderm or Bioderma Atoderm Intensive moisturizing lotion.”
If the skin is oily and prone to pimples, applying oils or creams can worsen it. “In such case applying oil is not a good option. So instead apply a water based makeup that covers your skin and avoid rubbing the colours on the skin,” Dr Shetty suggests.
While playing, our skin is exposed to harmful chemicals and Ultra Violet rays of the sun that can cause severe tanning. Skin problems like pigmentation can also get worst. In such circumstance Dr. Shetty advises, “One should apply water-proof sunscreens to prevent tanning. Holi will not increase the pigmentation. But most people play during the day time and because of the color and lot of water the sunscreen comes out and then the skin is exposed to sunrays. That can cause a lot of damage and pigmentation can increase.”
Experts also suggest avoiding any kind of skin treatments during the time of the festival, “it is best that the person does not go for any skin treatment like laser at least a week before holi. Because as it is the skin is very sensitive and colour will harm further,” says Dr Shetty.
Dr Agarwal advises, “I generally don’t recommend skin treatments of any kind such as peels, lasers etc, just prior to Holi to avoid any adverse reactions. However certain treatments like jet facials and dermal fillers like Restylane Vital or Juvederm are very popular and safe before Holi. These revive, hydrate and refurbish the skin and give the much needed festival glow.”
Once the festival ends, it’s painstaking to remove the colour from the skin. But following certain steps it can be done with much ease without causing any trouble. Dr. Agarwal talks about post-Holi measures to ensure that the skin is protected, “once you come back immediately wash off the Holi colours. Brush off the dry colours with your hands as they come off faster in this manner. Then do a first wash with water and afterwards use a soap free body wash to remove the colours. Avoid too much of hot water for bathing.”
Home remedies for post Holi wash are safest and best. Use a mixture of sea salt, glycerine and few drops of aroma oil as they have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect and can take care of the bad effects of chemical colours. Alternatively a paste of besan and milk can also be used for bathing.”
Here are some recommended celebrity hairstyle and hair care tips you need to try this Holi from celebrity hair expert Jawed Habib to ensure that you will save your skin and give you hair even Bollywood stars would envy.
Quickie Tip – Loosely comb your hair back to the nape of your neck with your fingers, securing your hair with an elastic. Take the hair from your pony, spilt it in two, and tie into a basic knot. Take your leftover hair and wrap it around your bun and secure with bobbi pins. (Take a cue from Deepika Padukonde’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ramleela!)
Quickie Tip – The best thing about this style is that you most likely have this accessory in your house. You can use any colour and type of thin scarf for this easy hairstyle. Just wrap the scarf around the bun and tie it into a side knot. It’s cute and fashionable!
Quickie Tip – The easy chic side braid doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to put together and can be done in a hurry. The side braid looks as good neat as it does unkempt.
If a person has undergoing a skin treatment, its best that the person does not go any skin treatment like laser or cleaning the dead skin at least a week before Holi because the skin is very sensitive and colour will harm further.”
