February 28th, 2018 | Updated on April 17th, 2024
The Holi festival usually falls during a full moon between the end of February and the middle of March.
Marking the start of Spring, the Hindu festival of Holi continues to be celebrated around the world with people gathering around bonfires and having water fights in the streets.
Holi, or the Festival of Colour, celebrates the triumph of good over evil as well as love, fertility and colour, which is why the two-day religious event is most commonly known for throwing coloured powder, or gulal.
Holi colours were traditionally made from herbs and spring flowers; in fact, such colours actually had some therapeutic value. However, chemicals and industrial dyes, some of them toxic, slowly replaced flowers and herbs.
These can cause some serious damage to skin, and discoloration, dermatitis, abrasion, irritation, itching, rashes, eczema and dryness are some of the common reactions reported by dermatologists post-Holi.
Here are some tips you must keep in mind to celebrate a safe and healthy Holi 2018
1. You might get dehydrated due to all the running around and chasing your friends that you are likely to do. Since Holi falls in a summer month, it’s essential that you drink enough water.
2. Store-bough Holi colours may harm your skin and hair. Try and make natural colours from flowers like marigold and kitchen ingredients like sandalwood and turmeric.
3. Adulterated khoya and mawa are unfortunately common in the market during Holi time. Make sure you test these ingredients for purity before you put them in sweets.
4. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses and make sure that you remove your contact lenses before venturing outdoors. Rinse your eyes thoroughly of colour enters the eyes.
5. Apply a generous amount of moisturizing lotion or oil on your face, arms, legs and any exposed part of skin. Use a waterproof sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
6. If you don’t have oil, apply a generous amount of moisturizing lotion or cream on your face and all exposed parts of the body. The trick is to use something that leaves a protective layer on the skin so that it is not affected by the harsh chemicals present in the Holi colours.
7. Avoid using harsh soaps and shampoo to get rid of the colour. Use a mild soap or an ubtan to cleanse the skin gently without causing any abrasions. Using soaps and washes laden with chemicals will further irritate your skin and hair.
8. Opt for a waterless Holi if you can. It will help to save water, a very precious resource for us!
9. Pamper your skin and hair after Holi to ensure that you give it the right nourishment. Make s nourishing pack of aloe gel, gram flour and rose water for your skin and wash off when it is dry. A good oil massage for the hair will nourish your tresses.
10. On the eve of Holi keep yourself and your kids at a safe distance from the Holi bonfire.
11. Hair can turn brittle, frizzy and extremely dry due to Holi colours. Shield your hair from harmful chemicals, dirt and dust by massaging the scalp and hair with oil. Wear a cap or hat before heading out to play Holi.
12. Avoid playing outdoors with dry colours if you are prone to asthma or are allergic to dust and pollen.
13. Respect our natural resources and avoid wasting too much water. Avoid throwing water balloons from a distance as they may injure someone.
14. Respect all forms of life and avoid putting colour on street animals and pets. It is extremely harmful to them and amounts to cruelty.
15. Avoid using your fingers to eat to avoid Holi colours from getting into your system through food. The changing weather conditions during this time of the year could make you more susceptible to colds and cough. Avoid drinks and food that are too cold. Go for lukewarm water instead.
How To Remove Holi Colours From Hair And Skin
Source : YouTube: POPxoDaily
Source : NDTV, huffingtonpost
