Colours fill the air as Holi arrives just around the corner. Along with Puran Poli and Gujiya, Holi colours have also made their way in various stores nearby. Playing with these Holi colours is all fun and games until it comes to removing them. What we fail to understand while playing Holi is that hair bears the price of these harmful and damaging colours even if it’s just a day’s game.
Chemicals found in these colours tend to stick to the scalp & hair which sometimes don't come out even for a week. Many have started this new trend of a ‘Dry Holi’ to save water and go all environment friendly but in the bargain neglect hair that is most affected by it due to the accumulation of the colours. All this can be avoided by simply following the right hair care tips pre and post Holi for both men and women that would make a big difference in maintaining hair health.
Pro Tips to Manage Damaging Effects of Holi Colours by a Dermatologist at Traya Health
Synthetic colours that contain lead oxide and mercury bring about havoc to hair. Even the popular scarlet colour used during Holi contains the dye Rhodamine which has been banned in most countries due to various carcinogenic properties. These harmful colours can leave the hair looking dry and damaged and in severe cases even cause contact dermatitis. Alternatively, natural colours like Gulaal are a much safer way to keep away from these toxic chemicals. One can also try making Holi colours at home using turmeric or rather opt for flower petals instead of colours for a much safer Holi.
To prevent the colours from penetrating into the hair shaft, it is advised to oil the scalp and hair beforehand. This will act as a protective layer for the hair and make it much easier to remove the stubborn Holi colours thereby reducing hair breakage.
Leaving the hair loose is like inviting the chemical-based colours to damage the hair and scalp easily. To avoid the exposure of these Holi colours on the hair, it’s best to tie your hair back into a bun or cover it with a bandana or water-resistant cap. This will make sure that the hair stays protected and the colours aren’t absorbed easily into the scalp.
As opposed to the popular saying of washing hair plenty of times to remove the colour, it is rather advised to avoid shampooing too much since it will strip the scalp of the natural sebum/oils and take the moisture away. Pro tip: Use cold water to rinse off the colour.
If you’re prone to dandruff, exfoliate your scalp to minimise the added itchiness caused by the dried colours accumulated on the scalp. Make sure to use a plant-based exfoliant or a scrub and gently exfoliate the scalp.
The after-effects of Holi colours can leave your hair looking pretty dull and dry which is why your hair needs extra conditioning at this time. Applying hair masks that are natural and homemade is a smart choice. One can opt for a curd, aloe vera, avocado or honey mask that will moisturize your hair, hydrate and soothe the scalp.
Although Holi is known to be a very exciting festival filled with joy and colours, the colours can damage the growth of your hair. Using these simple hair care tips can help you solve the damage that’s likely to happen while playing Holi, however, if you are consistent on a hair growth treatment plan (like Traya Health) then you will notice that this kind of damage is only for a short period of time and not throughout. The path towards healthy hair is mainly providing the hair with the right nutrition to avoid any kind of damage that comes your way.
