Holi 2024: Tips To Protect Your Eyes, Skin And Hair This Season

Before you indulge yourselves in the celebrations, you must take measures to protect your hair, eyes and skin so that you don't suffer from allergies or infections later.

Tips To Protect Your Eyes, Skin And Hair This Holi

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As the country gears up for the most colourful festival of the year, there are a few things that we all should keep in mind to have a safe and prosperous one. With Holi, slated for March 25, the streets are already bustling with vibrant packets of powdered colours, decorative torans, and playful water balloons. But, before you indulge yourselves in the celebrations, you must take measures to protect your hair, eyes and skin so that you don't suffer from allergies or infections later.

Causes Of Eye Infection During Holi:

Dr Soham Basak of Disha Eye Hospitals throws light on the causes of eye infection during Holi and the remedial steps which can be taken to prevent and cure the same. 

• Synthetic yellow colours used in Holi contain heavy metals like lead causing pink eye, corneal abrasion, chemical burn. Such colours should be avoided as they can have a telling effect on the kids.
• Shining mica particles in red colour are really harmful and should be avoided as they can cause damage to the cornea.
• Green/ bluish-green synthetic colours contain malachite green – which is highly toxic and can lead to ocular surface burns, disfigurement of the eyes and even blindness.
• Kids tend to enjoy water balloons the most. But they are the most important cause of blunt eye injury. If kids eyes are hit by balloons full of colour, the eye balls may get severely damaged, can cause bleeding inside the eye and may even lead to retinal detachment.
• Water guns are the rage now. Jets of water at high speed can also damage your eyes.

Eye Care Tips During Holi:

Dr Soham suggested the following tips to take care of eyes during holi.

1. Protect eyes by wearing sunglasses or protective eye wear while playing with colours
2. Never put colour on others around the eyes!
3. Fasten or tie hair together by using a cap to prevent colour dripping into the eyes
4. Never rub eyes if colours enter into them as this may cause irritation or vision loss
5. Apply thick layers of coconut oil around your eyes as it will help the colour to get off  easily without causing harm to eyes
6. It is always important to keep an eye on the kids.
7. If colour has entered the eyes – immediately wash eyes with clean tap water or drinking water. Wash thoroughly.
8. Visit your local eye specialist for immediate treatment. Severe injuries may require referral to a super-specialised eye hospital.
9. Eye drops such as an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin) and artificial tear drops (carboxymethyl cellulose) may be applied safely. Do not self-medicate with steroid eye drops without consulting a doctor first.

Causes Of Skin Infection:

The tradition of playing with colours during Holi along with cultural and religious significance has a scientific basis. Talking about this, Dr. Rashmi Naldeega, dermatologist, consults on Practo said, “Originally natural colours like turmeric which have anti-bacterial, anti-septic properties and gulal derived from the bright flowers like marigold and rose that blossom during spring and help soothe the skin were used. These colours help cleanse the body and remove unwanted accumulations on the skin, especially in those people who don't take a bath regularly during the cold winter months.”

Over the years these natural colours came to be replaced by harmful industrial dyes, some of these colours are black from lead oxide, green from copper sulfate and malachite green, blue from Prussian blue, red from mercury sulfate, and silver from aluminium bromide. 

She said, “The dry colours called Gulals have two components- colourant and base, both of which can cause skin reactions. Adding mica dust to dry colours for the sparkling effect can cause microtrauma to the skin and predispose to infections.”

Tips To Take Care Of Your Skin During Holi:

Counting down to the vibrant festivities of Holi, it's essential to address the risks of the festival to our hair and skin. As we jump into colourful celebrations, these 3 tips from Dr. Charu Sharma, Co-founder and Director of Dermatology at Cureskin promise a worry-free festive experience, ensuring our skin and hair stay in top-notch condition amidst the festive season. 

• Oil Up for Easy Removal: Oil acts as a natural resistance to colour on skin and hair. Apply a generous amount of natural oil like coconut or almond oil to your body at least an hour before playing Holi. This creates a protective barrier, making it easier to remove colours later and preventing them from staining your skin. Additionally, before shampooing apply a generous amount of hair oil for about half an hour. This helps loosen any remaining colour particles and nourishes your scalp. 
• Moisturisation and Sunscreen for the win: Holi colours can be drying, so prepping your skin with a good moisturiser is key. Whether it is a thick moisturiser or sunscreen, ensure to apply a generous layer, paying special attention to exposed areas like your face, arms, and neck. Ensure you stay well moisturised before and after playing Holi to maintain your skin. Don't forget about sun protection! Holi celebrations generally take place outdoors, so apply a good quality sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Extra care for your nails and lips: Protect your nails and lips by applying clear nail polish and a generous layer of lip balm. This shields them from colour pigments and prevents staining. After the celebrations, gently cleanse and moisturise for healthy, nails and lips, ensuring a fun and colourful, yet stain-free Holi.

Haircare Tips For Holi:

The colours used during Holi can potentially damage your hair due to their chemical composition. But fret not! With proper pre- and post-care, you can revive your hair's natural lustre and vitality. By pampering your hair with nourishing deep conditioning treatments and using gentle products, you can ensure that your locks stay healthy and radiant long after the colourful festivities. 

Here are some pre-Holi haircare tips shard by Shailesh Moolya, who is the National Technical Head at Godrej Professional 

Pre-Holi Hair Care Tips:

• Use a leave-in oil:  Before playing Holi, apply a generous amount of leave -in oil to your hair. This will create a barrier between your hair and the colours, making it easier to wash out the colours later. 
• Tie your hair:  Tie your hair up in a bun or a  braid to prevent it from getting tangled or damaged during the festivities.  
• Wear a hair cover:  Cover your hair with a scarf, bandana or a hat to protect it from the harmful effects of the colours. 

Post-Holi Hair Care Tips:

Here are some post oli hair care tips suggested by Shilpa Halder Joshi, who is a Senior Scientist (Hair), Research & Innovation, L'Oréal India to take care of your locks after playing with all the colours.

• Lukewarm Rinse: After the festivities, gently rinse your hair with lukewarm water to remove the colours. Avoid hot water, as it can strip your hair of its natural oils, exacerbating dryness.
• Gentle Cleansing: Use a mild, sulphate-free shampoo to wash your hair and remove any residual colour. Apply the shampoo gently, paying special attention to areas where colour may have accumulated.
• Nourishing Mask: Treat your hair to a nourishing mask post-shampooing to rejuvenate and replenish it. Opt for a rich formula designed for color-treated hair to cleanse, tame frizz, and enhance shine.
• Deep Conditioning Treatment: Restore any damage caused by harsh chemicals in the colours with a deep conditioning treatment. Focus on the ends of your hair, generously applying the conditioner and allowing it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
• Air Drying: Minimise further damage to your hair by avoiding heat styling immediately after Holi. Opt for air-drying or use the cool setting on your blow dryer to reduce heat exposure.
• Trim Split Ends: Consider trimming your hair to eliminate any split ends or damage that may have occurred during Holi.