Festival of colors and skin protection

New Delhi: The festival of Holi is full of happiness and colors, but sometimes after playing with colors, stubborn stains remain on the skin, which can be difficult to remove. Nowadays, many colors available in the market contain chemicals, which can stick on the skin for a long time. If an attempt is made to remove them incorrectly, problems like irritation, dryness and rashes may arise.

According to dermatologists, the most important thing while removing Holi colors is not to rub the skin hard. By doing this, the color can go deeper into the pores of the skin, which can increase the problem.

color removal process

Step 1: Rinsing with plain water

According to dermatologists, the color removal process should always be started with plain water. First wash the face and body thoroughly with clean water so that the loose color accumulated on it is removed. This makes it clear how much stain is actually left on the skin. If this step is skipped and straight away scrubbing is done, the color may run into the skin and cause irritation.

Second step: Massage with coconut or almond oil

The first step to remove color is to massage with oil. Coconut or almond oil can be used for this. Apply the oil on face and body and massage gently for about five to ten minutes. The properties present in the oil help in loosening the color pigments. According to dermatologists, this process works on the same principle in which oily ingredients dissolve in oil. This makes it easier to remove stubborn color. But keep in mind not to apply too much pressure while massaging. It is better to massage with light hands only.

Step 3: Use of natural scrub

After oil massage, use a light natural scrub. For this, a mixture of gram flour, turmeric and curd can be prepared. Gram flour gives light exfoliation to the skin, due to which the color deposited on it starts removing gradually. The lactic acid present in curd helps in providing hydration to the skin as well as lightening the blemishes. Turmeric soothes the skin and helps in reducing irritation.

However, while scrubbing, it is important to take care not to rub for too long. Over-exfoliation can damage the skin’s protective layer, leading to redness and dryness.

Step 4: Cleaning with a mild cleanser

In the third and final step, clean the skin with a mild face wash or cleanser. With this, the oil and remaining color on the skin is easily removed. According to experts, it is better to use a pH balanced cleanser, as it cleanses without harming the skin. After this stage the skin starts looking much clearer than before.

It is also very important to take proper care of the skin after removing color. For this, ceramide based moisturizer can be used, which maintains the moisture of the skin. If skin feels extra dry, products with ingredients like panthenol, hyaluronic acid and Centella can also help. It is better to avoid retinoids, hard scrubs or bleaching treatments for a few days.