Reisha Shetty Junior Digital Writer

Holi is the one festival that is celebrated and loved by people all around the world. The vibrant colours, waking up early in the morning to play with our friends, eating the delicious mithai, and drinking thandai, are the memories that we tend to remember forever. But the post effects of Holi tend to be messy and harmful for our skin. Spending long hours in the sun, decked in chemical-infused gulaal and the scorching spring heat can do some major damage to our skin. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Post-Holi Skincare Guide

We got in touch with Dr. Sravya. C. Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist at Manipal Hospital Bengaluru to know how we can nurse our skin back to health after a fun Holi morning.

Also Read: Avoid Damaging Your Skin With This Ultimate Holi Skincare Guide 

Avoid Getting Skin Treatments

It is always better to avoid getting any kind of skin treatments such as bleaching, laser, or brightening treatments for at least 2-3 weeks as our skin is still recovering from the chemical and sun damage we got while playing Holi. Dr. Tipirneni explains, “After Holi, the pigments are still present in your skin, even if you can’t see them. If you get a skin procedure like a laser hair removal treatment, your skin might end up getting burned due to the pigments and can cause a severe reaction”.

Avoid Exfoliating Your Skin

After Holi, as our skin is more on the sensitive side, it is essential to avoid exfoliating your skin as this would cause more damage to our skin’s barrier. It is safer to not use any chemical or physical exfoliant for at least two weeks to avoid any kind of irritation.

Use A Mild Soap To Wash Off The Colour, Do Not Over Wash

Removing all of the Holi colours can be a task, and while it’s an easy way to harshly scrub the colour off our skin, it is necessary to use a mild soap to wash all of the colours off. “You should use a soap with a pH level of 5.5 to wash off the colour. Remember, the colour doesn’t have to come off in one go. What is more important is that it is removed from your skin without causing irritation. So you must give at least a week for the colour to completely go” said Dr. Tipirneni.

Moisturise Your Skin

Holi colours can make your skin feel super dry so, make sure that you moisturise your skin, at least twice a day, post your shower. This will help your skin regain its lost moisture faster, leaving your skin feeling soft and healthy.

Deep Conditioning Hair Masks

Post Holi, if your hair feels extremely dry and lifeless, this is what you need to do. “After every hair washes, make sure that you are applying a moisturising and hydrating conditioner and hair mask. This will help you get back your natural hair texture and reduce any damage that may have been caused by the colour pigments,” said Dr. Tipirneni.

Don’t Try Any New Products

Trying new products means experimenting with new ingredients that may or may not work out for you. “As your skin is already damaged due to the chemical infused gulaal, it is advised not to try any new products that can possibly damage your skin even more” explains Dr. Tipirneni.