10 Safety Tips for Holi Celebrations 2023

As colourful as it is, the festive of fun and fervour can bring along the wrath of skin troubles. So, here we present 10 safety tips for Holi celebrations that will unleash your spirit from the fear of allergies.

Holi was all about natural colours back in the day. But today, the stubborn colours are made from harsh chemicals that can cause serious damage to the skin. Inorganic colours can induce dermatitis. This results in reddening of the skin, burning sensation and rashes. Commonly called the aftermath of Holi!!!

Hence, safety became a priority. You need to follow a few essential steps before you go out splashing the colours.

Safety tips for Holi Celebrations

The trick to getting rid of colours

Apply oil on your skin and hair. You can use a blend of coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil and Vitamin E oil for this job. Natural body lotion is also a good option. This stops the colours from absorbing in the skin and scalp. Thus, making it easy to wash off even the stubbornest colours.

Make your own mix of olive oil and castor oil. Apply the blend on your skin and hair to keep the colours from penetrating. This will help rinse off the colours easily. Don’t forget to tie your hair in a neat ponytail.

Save the sunburn

Apply a waterproof high-quality sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage. Going under the sun without sunscreen can cause discolouration and severe sunburn.

First, apply your oil or moisturizer and then apply your sunscreen. You can try Brihatri Body Lotion. It is a herbal moisturizer that nourishes your skin and protects it from the harmful irritants present in the colours.

Protect your eyes and ears

Protect your ears and lips with Vaseline. The thicky texture of Vaseline keeps the skin moisturized and stops the colours from getting lodged. It is a secret trick to avoid those red ears and cracked lips after Holi!

Curtail the Dirty Nail

Cut your nails short to prevent breakage and blood. File them well to avoid hurting others. Apply a good quality nail polish to prevent discolouration of your nails. 

Use the darkest shade of nail colour to avoid multi-coloured nails. And use Vaseline under the nails to prevent the colours from getting lodged.

Care for your outer and innerwear

Most people pick the most tattered piece of clothing for this festive. But make sure you wear something comfortable. Something that offers maximum coverage to protect your skin.

Holi will be all about water splashing and colours sprinkling. So, be cautious about your outerwear and innerwear. Pick something that’s not sheer if you don’t want to flaunt it all!

Keep a count on your glasses of water.

It’s hot, it’s dirty and it’s physically exhausting. So, make sure that you are well hydrated. Drink ample water. Keep sipping some juice or electrolyte to keep your energy at peak.

Sans the contact lens

Wearing your contact lenses on Holi is a big mistake. Lenses are semi-permeable. They cannot protect your eyes. Rather they can further aggravate the irritation. Wear your glasses or shades. 

No parlour before Holi

Don’t get waxing, threading or laser treatments just a day before Holi. These can cause sensitization, itchiness and redness. Avoid other kinds of chemical treatments on skin and hair before the party.

Plus, hitting the parlour before Holi makes no sense. You are going to get drenched and dirty. So, no manicure and pedicure either! It’s best to enjoy this festival sans makeup.

Post Holi Care Tips

No soap, please 

Your skin has had enough chemicals for the day.  So, opt for a mild natural cleanser to remove the colours. Soap dries the skin and can cause further damage to the already sensitive skin. 

For sensitive skin issues, dip cotton balls in rose water and apply it on the skin. Follow this with aloe vera gel for a glowing and radiant post-Holi look!

Clearing the colours

The trick to clear the colours is not to rub hard but to act smart. An age-old secret to removing all stains is using the natural olive oil on cotton to remove the colour. This not just removes the colours but also nourishes and moisturizes your skin.

After wiping the colours off, apply a natural herbal paste to cool off your skin. Use a concoction of fresh lemon juice, curd and sandalwood powder. This will help remove the stubborn traces of colour. You can also add a pinch of turmeric to soothe sunburn.

Care for Healthy Hair!

Your hair needs a proper wash after the dirty party. Use a mild herbal shampoo to wash off your hair. Rinse your hair gently and wash it for about 10-15 minutes to get all the colours off.

Apply lemon on your hair and scalp after wash. This will restore the essential acid-alkaline balance and protect your hair from dryness and itchiness. Apply Brihatri hair oil and then wash off the next day. 

Repair with Natural Skincare 

Cleanse your skin immediately after the party. Use a mild face wash to get the colour off. You can use Neem Facewash to wash off the colours and kill the bacteria breeding on your face. 

The trick for good skin care is not to rub too hard to remove the colour.  Use a mild exfoliant. This will help to extract the toxins on the surface of the skin without causing sensations. 

Sensitive skin – don’t grin!

Sensitive skins need special care to avoid the aftermath. It’s best to use Herbal products on the skin to keep the toxins away. Use a calming and cooling face masque to soothe the sensitization and reduce redness.

Holi amidst the onslaught of Coronavirus

This year Holi celebrations are clouded by fear! With the coronavirus becoming more and more real for Indians with each passing day, the excitement that generally accompanies Holi is somewhat diminished. 

So, here are some tips that you must keep in mind this Holi

• Practice good hygiene, particularly hand hygiene. 
• Avoid crowded places is another recommendation. 
• Stay away from sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean your hands often by washing them for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol.
• Clean your hands after going to the bathroom. Clean it before eating and after coughing.
• Cover your face when sneezing or blowing your nose.

Is it smart to play Holi this season?

It is advised to stay away from public gatherings. Avoid crowded places. You may get the virus by touching the person or by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it. Thus, going out to a party filled with strangers can increase your chances of getting infected. 

Many societies are cancelling their Holi celebration programmes. Even, the Prime Minister of India chose not to celebrate Holi in a mass gathering this season to avoid any contact with an infected person.

The incubation period of the virus is 2-14 days. Asymptomatic people can also spread the infection. That’s why social distancing and personal hygiene is important.  The best way to enjoy is celebrating the festival with your close friends and family.