How to keep your skin happy & healthy during Holi

Holi is here and we are all excited to get drenched in its spirit. 
Though the festival itself is a very happy and colourful one, we women often shudder at the thought of stepping out and playing Holi or even applying a little bit of gulal. 

Because the festival often comes along with a lot of problems for our hair, skin, nail and eyes.

Dr Sirisha Singh, the founding member and Medical Director of The Skin Center, guides you to a fuss-free Holi with minimal damage.

Before You Step Out to Play Holi

• Apply moisturizer generously all over your body
• Apply coconut or olive oil through your hair to prevent damage from the harsh colors.
• Apply a thick coat of nail paint and extend the nail paint to the adjacent skin to prevent the colors from settling in.
• Apply a rather thick coat of sunscreen as the sun is usually harsh with a high UV index this time of the year.
• Wear full sleeved tops and pants to cover up as much skin as possible and reduce skin exposure.

While Playing with Colors

• Nowadays, organic colors are a welcome trend, so try and stick to them.(Learn How to make organic colours, click here )
• Keep drinking plenty of water or clear fluids to keep yourself and your skin hydrated.
• Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, so try and moderate your alcohol intake to the minimum.
• Wash off the colors at the slightest hint of an itch to minimize the severity and extent of a rash.

After Enjoying the Festival of Joy and Colors

• Brush off all the excess color from your body and hair immediately after you stop playing.
• Remove the nail paint before taking a shower.
• Immediately take a bath with lukewarm water using a mild shampoo as well as a gentle face and body cleanser.
• If the colors do not come away easily, apply generous amount of cleansing milk all over the body, wait for 3-5 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Make sure to use a good conditioner on the lower half of the hair length immediately after shampooing.
• After the bath, apply a generous amount of skin healing cream or a soft moisturizer all over your body to help the skin heal.
• Also, use a copious amount of hand cream formula or oil to avoid any roughness on your hands.
• Consult a dermatologist if a rash appears and persists.

Follow these simple DIY tips for a safe, happy and hassle-free Holi with your family and friends.

About Dr Sirisha Singh

 Dr Sirisha Singh, the founding member and partner consultant of The Skin Center, is highly qualified with 8 years of work experience in the United Kingdom. Dr Sirisha Singh is a well known name in the Dermatology and academic circles and keeps in touch continuously with all the latest trends in anti-ageing medicine and Dermatology by regularly attending and presenting in conferences. She is a trainer for LUMENIS and regularly trains other doctors on the use of skin LASERs. Dr Sirisha Singh is particularly interested in injectables for anti-ageing such as botulinum toxin and fillers.