Holi is as much about fun and frolic as it is about colours and, in turn, chemicals. The festival can result in a dermatological nightmare if you don't take precautions to protect your skin from the harmful chemicals in the colours. You may have bought loads of organic colours, but have your neighbours and friends done so too?
Organic colours are safer, but that doesn't reduce the risks. "It is advisable to use colours derived from dried flowers for a skinfriendly Holi," advises Dr Anusree Gangopadhyay , a dermatologist at a city hospital. "Inorganic colours can induce contact dermatitis -a condition that causes reddening of the skin, a burning sensation and subsequently , rashes. Some people are allergic to the chemicals used in the colours and the reactions may show up the same day or even a week later."
If your skin reacts by breaking out, the quickest, albeit temporary remedy is to wash off the colour immediately and apply an ice pack to the affected area. "Calamine lotions are good and can be used for post-Holi treatment," she says.
It is also important to prepare your skin for the beating. Makeup artiste Ojas Rajani suggests application of a mixture of olive oil, Moroccan oil or castor oil on your skin and hair to keep the colours from penetrating. It also helps rinse off the colours easily . "Oil your hair well and tie it in a neat pony tail before stepping out and apply waterproof sunscreen all over. It's best to enjoy Holi sans makeup. Moisturize your lips well and apply the darkest shade of nail colour to avoid multi-coloured nails. You can also wear a funky scarf to protect the ears from powdered colours," she suggests.
To remove colours, opt for a mild cleanser instead of soap."Soap dries the skin out, while cleansers clean without stripping off the moisture. If you have sensitive skin, dip cotton balls in rose water and apply on the skin.Follow up with aloe vera gel mixed with an Avion capsule (an overthe-counter vitamin) for glowing skin!" Rajani adds.
People often make the mistake of wearing contact lenses on Holi.These lenses are semi-permeable and cannot protect your eyes.Stick to glasses or shades. Steer clear of dry colour if you have asthma or are prone to dust allergy . "Dry gulal contains irritants that can cause severe asthma attacks. Keep your inhaler handy ," Dr Gangopadhyay suggests.
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