The most colorful and fun festival of India, Holi is right around the corner. Aptly described as a carnival of colors, this festival involves drenching everyone in colored powder, paste and water. However, a lot of people experience several skin, hair, nail and eye problems, which may last up to two weeks after the festival.
Dr. Sirisha Singh, the founding member and Medical Director of The Skin Center, gave some guidelines to have a stress-free Holi with minimal damage.
Before stepping out to play Holi
1. Apply moisturizer generously all over the body
2. Apply coconut or olive oil through the hair to prevent damage from the harsh colors.
3. Apply a thick coat of nail paint and extend the nail paint to the adjacent skin to prevent the colors from settling in.
4. Apply a rather thick coat of sunscreen as the sun is usually harsh with a high UV index this time of the year.
5. Wear full sleeved tops and pants to cover up as much skin as possible and reduce skin exposure.
While playing with colors
1. Nowadays, organic colors are a welcome trend, so try and stick to them.
2. Keep drinking plenty of water or clear fluids to keep yourself and your skin hydrated.
3. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, so try and moderate your alcohol intake to the minimum.
4. Wash off the colors at the slightest hint of an itch to minimize the severity and extent of a rash.
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After enjoying the festival of joy and colors
1. Brush off all the excess color from your body and hair immediately after playing.
2. Remove the nail paint before taking a shower.
3. Immediately take a bath with lukewarm water using a mild shampoo as well as a gentle face and body cleanser.
4. If the colors do not come away easily, apply generous amount of cleansing milk all over the body, wait for 3-5 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
5. Make sure to use a good conditioner on the lower half of the hair length immediately after shampooing.
6. After the bath, apply a generous amount of skin healing cream or a soft moisturizer all over the body to help the skin heal.
7. Also, use a copious amount of hand cream formula or oil to avoid any roughness on your hands.
8. Consult a dermatologist if a rash appears and persists.
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Follow these simple DIY (Do It Yourself) tips for a safe, happy and hassle-free Holi with your family and friends.
