As we all know, Holi colours contain a number of harmful chemicals, pieces of mica, glass particles, chemical colours, acids and so on. These substances irritate the skin and scalp and harm them. The colours also affect texture and make the skin and hair dry and rough. The skin and scalp absorb these harmful substances and can even lead to toxic accumulation in the body.
It becomes very important to remove the stains of colours after Holi. Rinse the face with plenty of plain water and then massage with cleansing cream or milk. Wipe off with moist cotton wool. Cleanse the area around the eyes with a light touch. A cleansing gel helps to dissolve the colours and facilitates their removal.
To make your own cleanser, take half a cup of cold milk and add one teaspoon of any vegetable oil such as Sesame seed (til), olive or sunflower oil. Mix well. Use the mixture to cleanse the skin.
Sesame seed oil not only helps removing the colours, but also counteracts sun-damage. While bathing, scrub the body gently with a loofah. After your bath, apply a moisturizer on the face and body, while the skin is still damp. This will seal the moisture. If there is itching, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This helps reduce itching.
However, if the itching continues, and there is rash and redness, there may be an allergic reaction. Consult a doctor as soon as possible.
To wash away dry colours and particles of mica, rinse your hair with plain water. Then apply a mild herbal shampoo, working it into the hair with the fingers. Massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly. Beer can be used as a last rinse to soften and condition the hair. Add the juice of a lemon to the beer. Apply after shampoo and leave on for a few minutes and rinse off.
The day after Holi, mix two tablespoons honey, a pinch of turmeric with half a cup of curd. Apply this on the face, neck and arms. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This will help remove tan and soften the skin.
To give your hair a nourishing treatment over the next few days, mix one tablespoon pure coconut oil with one teaspoon castor oil. Heat and apply on the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat around three times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.
For hands, take two tablespoons of sunflower oil, two tablespoons of lemon juice and three tablespoon of coarse sugar. Mix together till it becomes a paste. Apply and wash off after 15 minutes. This will also help remove tan and soften the skin.
The author is CMD, Shahnaz Husain Group of Companies