This Holi let everyone say no to harmful colours

Holi is the ancient Indian festival of colors; it marks the beginning of the new season. The season of flowers, freshness, green leaves and fragrances. It matches with the full bloomed riot of the splendid spring flowers. But the highlight of the festival is throwing colours (both wet and dry) on each other, which most of the time being synthetic and even toxic, can have disastrous effects on the skin.

Earlier, natural colors made from flowers, leaves and herbs of the season were used. But over the years, due to industrialisation and commercialisation, these natural colors have been replaced by synthetic colors, which contain toxic and poisonous chemicals.

These colors contain heavy metals, acids, alkalis, powdered glass, asbestos, chalk paste etc. Similarly, the black paste has lead oxide, green is made from copper sulphate and red contains. The shimmering given to these colors comes from mica and powdered glass. These chemicals are meant for industrial use and imagine their use on the human skin without giving a thought about their harmful effects.

The havoc wreaked by these chemicals on the skin and hair manifests in the form of allergy, irritant rash, infection and much more. The symptoms may vary from mild irritation in the form of itching, dryness which will again lead to irritation and itching, and rash to severe irritant and allergic dermatitis. The victims will have severe itching and burning sensation, redness and in some cases the skin literally gets burnt.

The hair damage could be in the form of itching, redness, dryness and scalp infections. The delayed affects could even be loss of hair, thinning of hair, coarse, thin and lusterless hair texture.

It is ironical that the whole year round we take utmost care of our skin and appearance, but on Holi we joyfully damage it with toxic colors.
So, this Holi let everyone say no to these harmful colours, and instead use natural colours made from flowers, leaves and herbs. These may cost a little more than the synthetic colors, but then what are few more rupees in comparison to our good health, skin and safety.

Tips before you go out to play Holi
* Apply a moisturiser on your face and body.?
*Thereafter, apply sunscreen and Lacto Calamine lotion on top of it on the face and exposed parts of the skin for the extra protection.?
*Apply the moisturizer and sunscreen on the lips too and girls can wear lipstick for extra protection.
*Protect your hair by applying a leave on conditioner, or for that matter even simple pure coconut or olive oil would protect your hair. This shall form thin layer over the hair which acts as a barrier to the chemicals in the colors.?
*Wear clothes to fully cover your arms and legs.
*Wear sun glasses to protect your eyes.

AFTER CARE
* At the end of the day, first thoroughly cleanse your face, body and hair with lots of water to wash away the colours. Then use soap and shampoo to clean your skin, hair and scalp.
*Then moisturise your skin both with face and body to get back all the moisture lost in the day. Do not forget to condition your hair, as they too need care after the injury caused to them with the colours.

TREATMENT
In case of mild irritattion or rash, one can use Lacto Calamine lotion. But in severe cases, do consult your dermatologist.

Holi is an exuberant occasion of goodwill, cheer and merry making, let us pledge to say 'no' to chemicals. Let's celebrate and play with environment and human friendly, natural colors.