| Holi is after all Holi. There is no festival more vibrant, | | | | These flowers, available with any general merchant, |
| colourful and exhilarating than Holi. Everyone wants to | | | | can be boiled and soaked overnight to get a rich |
| enjoy it - to dance in clouds of gulal and to get | | | | yellow colour. In the Vedas, it is written, "If clothes |
| soaked in shower of coloured water. Yet many of us | | | | soaked in this colour are worn, then that colour will |
| suffer from skin problems, allergies, breakouts and | | | | have its effect on our bodies by entering through |
| irritations later on. The consequence of Holi in not just | | | | the pores of the skin, and will save us from |
| spoilt clothes and floors, but skin and hair damage | | | | contagious diseases." It has miraculous medicinal |
| too due to the presence of chemicals in the colours | | | | effects on the body. The increased heat in the body |
| used. | | | | may result in gloominess and an increase in anger. |
| Synthetic colours | | | | Palash prevents all such symptoms as it regulates the |
| Most Holi colours sold these days contain many | | | | body temperature. This colour destroys kapha, pitta, |
| harmful chemicals. In fact, most are dyes meant for | | | | leprosy, heat and urinary disorders, vayu and blood |
| industrial uses like dyeng textiles and are not meant | | | | impurities and increase blood circulation. It also |
| to be applied on humans. These colours have in them | | | | increases willpower and mental and physical strength. |
| heavy metals, acids and powdered glass. The black | | | | And now... |
| paste youngsters use has lead oxide, green contains | | | | Get set and go: |
| copper sulphate, red is mercury sulphite and so on. All | | | | - Wear clothes that cover most of your body. |
| these are toxic and can result in anything from skin | | | | - Liberally coat your entire body with oil, rubbing it |
| allergies to cancer, from eye irritation to blindness. | | | | into fingernails and body folds. Oiive oil is the best. |
| And worse. | | | | Even coconut oil will do. This prevents permanent |
| Even the bases in which these chemicals are mixed | | | | staining and forms a barrier to protect your skin from |
| are highly toxic. Many dry powders use a base of | | | | potential allergen. |
| asbestos talc, chalk powder or silica. Asbestos is a | | | | - Oil your hair similarly. Colour will wash away more |
| known as human carcinogen, which builds up in the | | | | easily and not leave your hair feeling like a bundle of |
| body daily tissue, and even micro quantities can result | | | | rope later on. |
| in cancer. Silica may dry as well as chap the skin. The | | | | - Use nail paint and transfer resistant lipsticks (any |
| shine in the colours is due to the addition of | | | | Colourstay range), which stays put on your fingers |
| powdered glass or mica. | | | | and lips, besides protecting your fingernails, nailfolds |
| Many water colours have an alkaline base capable of | | | | and delicate skin of your lips. |
| causing severe problems. If it enters the eyes, it can | | | | - Colours and sunlight combined may cause a "photo |
| pose a great danger to one's vision. Colours in the | | | | toxic" reaction, so sunscreens are a must. Use |
| form of paste have toxic compounds mixed in a | | | | waterproof sunscreens because liquid colours can |
| base of engine oil or other inferior quality oil, capable | | | | wash off ordinary sunscreens. Try Banana Boat |
| of causing skin allergy, temporary blindness and much | | | | SPF-30 or Spectabran SPF-28. |
| more. | | | | When the hulla of Holi is over... |
| Synthetic colours used during Holi often contain lead | | | | - Cleaning the skin of all the colours after the fun and |
| oxide, engine oil, diesel, chromium, iodine and copper | | | | games are over is the most important aspect. Wash |
| sulphate, which cause skin irritation and even | | | | immediately as these chemicals can harm your skin |
| blindness in case of extreme exposure. | | | | on prolonged contact. So bathe and shampoo as |
| Colours in the hair: | | | | soon as possible to minimise skin contact time. Use a |
| Hair can turn brittle and extremely dry if colour | | | | glycerine-based soap. |
| remains in it for a long time. This is due to the | | | | - Stuck with gulal stains on your face and ink blobs |
| chemicals in the colours and the dust in the air. | | | | on your nose? No problem! For colour, or gulal on the |
| Though no damage is done to the roots or scalp, the | | | | skin, massage warm oil into your skin, (heavy oils like |
| hair begins to break. Oiling of the hair thoroughly | | | | mustard are the best), and let the oil seep in for 15 |
| before jumping into the playing arena can go a long | | | | minutes. Using a gentle soap and warm water, wash |
| way in taking care of this common problem. | | | | off the oil. |
| If the colour enters the eyes... | | | | - For permanent colour stains, use a cotton ball |
| While throwing colours at each other, people do not | | | | soaked in acetone (your nail polish remover) or |
| realise that these colours might enter the eye, | | | | kerosene and gently remove it. |
| damage the ocular surface and cause temporary | | | | - Do not rub the skin vigorously with soaps, etc., but |
| problems. There could also be complications that pose | | | | instead, opt for a cleanser. Follow this up with loads |
| a great danger to the sight and could impair it. | | | | of moisturiser, especially one that is meant for |
| There are well documented cases of eye injury due | | | | sensitive skin. Liberal use of cold cream or moisturiser |
| to Holi colours. So one should keep in mind that, while | | | | is good for the skin. Apply moisturiser on damp skin |
| playing Holi, sensitive areas like the eyes should be | | | | immediately after the bath. |
| avoided. However, if colour enters, one should | | | | - Apply the pack of curd or mashed papaya for 20 |
| immediately wash them with large amounts of water | | | | minutes. Liberal use of cold cream or moisturiser is |
| and, incase irritation persists, medical aid should be | | | | good for the skin. |
| sought immediately. | | | | - After removing the colour, replenish and rejuvenate |
| If your skin is too sensitive: | | | | the skin by using a paste of soya bean flour or |
| Individuals with a history of eczema oratopic | | | | besan with milk. A mixture of sea salt, glycerin and a |
| dermatitis are at a high risk of developing allergic | | | | few drops of aroma oil has an anti-bacterial and |
| contact dermatitis due to Holi colours and dyes. This | | | | antifungal effect and can take care of the bad |
| will manifest in itching, a red rash and irritation in the | | | | effects of chemical colours. Use warm water and |
| area of contact. Such individuals should use a barrier | | | | moisturising soap to scrub off the colours. Then, |
| cream (white soft, yellow soft, paraffin) prior to | | | | using a cream cleanser or baby oil, gently massage |
| playing Holi While the application of very little colours | | | | off the leftover colour. |
| would be an ideal solution to avoid any kind of | | | | - Colour on the hair should be rinsed off with a mild |
| allergy, the application of a body oil, like coconut oil, | | | | shampoo immediately. Conditioning is a must. Apply a |
| can also protect the skin. However, if the colours | | | | hair pack of olive oil and honey after shampooing. If |
| irritate the skin, they should be immediately washed | | | | you have any rash or allergy, you can take a |
| away with running water. | | | | non-sedative, anti-allergic tablet like Ceterizine or |
| To make Holi truly colourful: | | | | consult a doctor immediately. |
| Use quality colours: | | | | If you continue to have problems... |
| - Use water-soluble colours and stay away from | | | | - If your skin feels irritated and is itching or burning, |
| "permanent" colours because they contain cheap | | | | wash it properly again. Then mix one part of |
| dyes that cause reactions. | | | | cortisone (Fluticasone) lotion with two parts of |
| - Avoid metallic colours, like gold and silver. | | | | moisturiser or calamine lotion and apply. |
| - Most dry colours are safe, but avoid glittery ones. | | | | - For a more severe reaction with eruptions, a tablet |
| They contain silica particles that can abrade your skin. | | | | of Cetrizine (available at chemist shop) may be taken |
| - Feel the texture of the colour before buying it. It | | | | but its better to see a doctor immediately. |
| should feel powdery, like talc and not grainy or gritty. | | | | - For dull, dry hair, try this hair pack. Mix half a cup of |
| Make your own natural colours: | | | | olive oil, an egg white and 4 teaspoonfuls of honey. |
| To make your own colours, all you need are a few | | | | Coat your hair with this mixture for half an hour then |
| plants. For green, take plants like henna and dry and | | | | wash off. |
| powder them. Use separately or mix the powder | | | | - A soothing face pack can be made with a mixture |
| with suitable flour to make a green colour. Ultimately, | | | | of pureed banana, 2 teaspoonfuls of honey and 2 |
| you could use the paste of green leafy vegetables | | | | teaspoonfuls of milk cream. This hydrates, softens |
| to turn others green. | | | | and soothes the skin. |
| Turmeric mixed with gram flour gives a good colour | | | | After Holi hulla, you are bound to get tanned, so try |
| too. Marigold flowers can also be dried and ground | | | | this natural recipe. Puree a tomato and apply it on |
| and paste used instead of artificial colours. Red | | | | your face for about 20 minutes. Fresh, crushed |
| sandalwood powder can be used to colour the | | | | tomato pulp is supposed to remove immediate |
| cheeks crimson. Rose petals or gulal is also a good | | | | tanning. |
| option and so is vermilion. Red hibiscus flowers | | | | Wish you a happy Holi with a healthy skin and great |
| soaked in water overnight, also give a red colour. | | | | hair! |
| Use palaash or tesu: | | | | |