Don't neglect your hair, skin this Holi

New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Busy collecting balloons, coloured powders and pichkaris for Holi? How about investing in some mild cleansers, oils and caps to protect your skin and hair from harsh chemicals and the sun?

Most of the powders used in Holi are not derived naturally and contain chemicals like mica and even lead that not only irritate the skin but also collect on the scalp.

Ajay Rana, dermatologist and director of Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic, said the first thing everyone should do is to wear a cap for scalp protection and wear full-sleeve shirts for skin protection.

"Normally, we try to wear less clothes while playing Holi. This is not a good idea because it means more exposure of bare body parts to colours. So the tip is to cover yourself properly," Rana told IANS.

Beauty expert Shahnaz Hussain pointed out that Holi is played outdoors, but people forget to apply sunscreen on the exposed areas.

"Sun exposure can also have a detrimental effect on the skin. Apart from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sun exposure makes the skin dry by causing depletion of moisture and also tans the skin," explained Hussain.

"Remember to apply a sunscreen and moisturiser 20 minutes before going out to play Holi. If your skin is dry, mix a little moisturiser with your sunscreen and then apply it," she added.

Apart from this, one should also apply castor or olive oil on the body and hair before playing Holi. This helps remove the powders more easily, she said.

Hussain pointed out that the real problem is removal of chemicals after playing Holi. She suggested that one should not rub the skin for the purpose.

"While bathing, scrub the body with a loofah and remember to apply a moisturiser after your bath, while the skin is still damp. This helps to seal in moisture," suggested Hussain.

Rana added: "One should avoid using hot water after playing Holi because it fixes the colour into the skin, making it difficult to remove."

Hussain also advised adding lemon juice to a mug of water and using it as a last rinse to condition the hair.

"This helps to restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Beer can also be used as a last rinse. In fact, it will soften and condition the hair. Add the juice of a lemon to the beer. Pour over the hair after shampoo. Leave on for a few minutes and rinse off with plain water," she said.

A day after Holi, some people might have to deal with the effects of sun exposure, like dryness or tanned skin.

For this, one can mix two tablespoons of honey with half a cup of yogurt and a pinch of turmeric to remove the tan, Hussain said.