This Holi, let your skin be happy too!

Dr Sirisha Singh, the founding member and Medical Director of The Skin Center, gives some guidelines to have a care-free Holi.

Photograph: FaceMePLS/Creative Commons

The most colourful and fun festival of India, Holi is right around the corner. Aptly described as a carnival of colours, drenching yourself in colours of fun and rubbing one another with dry and liquid colours is the spirit of Holi. However, a lot of people experience skin, hair, nail and eye problems, which may last up to two weeks after the festival. So, here's how to enjoy the colourful revelry without worrying about your skin and hair.

Before stepping out to play Holi...

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

While playing with colours...

1. Nowadays, organic colours are a welcome trend, so try and stick to them.
2. Keep drinking plenty of water or clear fluids to keep yourself and your skin hydrated.
3. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, so try and moderate your alcohol intake to the minimum.
4. Wash off the colours at the slightest hint of an itch to minimise the severity and extent of a rash.

After enjoying the festival of joy and colours...

1. Brush off all the excess colour from your body and hair immediately after playing.
2. Remove the nail paint before taking a shower.
3. Immediately take a bath with lukewarm water using a mild shampoo as well as a gentle face and body cleanser.
4. If the colours 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.
5. Make sure to use a good conditioner on the lower half of the hair length immediately after shampooing.
6. After the bath, apply a generous amount of skin healing cream or a soft moisturiser all over the body to help the skin heal.
7. Also, use a copious amount of hand cream formula or oil to avoid any roughness on your hands.
8. Consult a dermatologist if a rash appears and persists.

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