Skin care tips for Holi

Holi is around the corner and there's no helping the excited feeling we're getting in the pits of our stomachs in the anticipation of a day-off for festival fun.

However, when we remember the previous Holi's we've enjoyed, we usually skip over the ugly parts and the not-so-pleasant details, for example; the bad reactions we had to the colour, how our ears stayed green for days, or how our hair became matted and felt more like a dry bush than usual... so before the madness begins here are a few things you might want to keep in mind for the coming week, because we all know that in real life Holi lasts longer than a day!

According to well known dermatologist and co-founder of A K Clinics, Dr. Aman Dua, the following precautions for protecting one's hair and skin should be taken before applying Holi colours?

According to Dr. Dua, Holi colours can be very dry and at times tend to irritate already dry skin. Also post Holi, these colours can be difficult to wash off if the skin is dry and irritated initially.

She said that the best precaution for this is to Moisturise. One can use heavy moisturisers which are oil based for their face or perhaps oils by themselves if there are no allergy problems. The best choice of oil would be coconut oil, olive oil or other light oils like jojoba or Moroccan oil for the body.

For itching sensations post Holi celebrations, Dr. Dua said, "Don't wait too long before taking a bath after the celebrations are over. If you get an itching sensation on the skin, you should not rub the area of coloured skin vigorously as it will most likely compound the problem."

"A combination of Holi colour and sun is can also be damaging to the skin. Try applying a soothing moisturizer and washing away residual colour softly with warm water. Reapply a moisturizer after you've washed. Use a mild body wash or cleanser like Cetaphil or try antiallergenic tablets like cetirizine or fexofenadine. If the itchiness still persists, consult a dermatologist," Dr. Dua added.

On the kind of colours one should use whilst playing Holi, Dr. Dua said, " Ideally one should go for organic and natural colours. If they are not available, you can test the colours available in market before buying them. Rub the colour between your fingers to feel the softness, texture and residual colour left behind. Also try wetting the colour to see if it sticks to skin and causes irritation. Avoid very dark shades like deep purple and deep reds and go for softer shades as they are easy to remove."

On remedial measures, she said, "Avoid using water based or oil free moisturisers on your skin as they will wash off. Wearing a cap or bandana is the best bet to protect your hair, but if it's not possible opt instead for oiling your hair really well. One can warm the oil before use. A layer of Vaseline applied near folds in your skin like ear lobes, neck folds and hairline (both front and back) also works wonders and helps when it's time to remove the colour. Also use a generous layer of sunscreen on your skin to prevent sun irritation.