Have you ever considered rubbing lead oxide or aluminium bromide on your face, hands, and legs? Doesn’t that sound terrifying? This Holi, you should be prepared to have chemicals in your face and hair.
Without a doubt, Holi is the most vibrant and colourful festival on the planet, far surpassing Tomatina in Spain. Traditionally celebrated with dry gulal and buckets of water, today it’s all about getting drenched in artificial colours. Synthetic colours used during Holi frequently cause severe skin irritation, dermatitis, burning, and redness, which can cause long-term damage to skin and hair. Today, there are numerous reports of toxic coloured mixtures containing engine oil. Furthermore, chemical colours are typically less expensive than herbal pigments, and many people choose them without realising how toxic they can be.
Holi colours are made from hazardous substances such as acids, mica, glass powder, and alkalis. These chemicals have the potential to cause serious skin complications and allergies. Artificial colours can frequently cause skin allergies, irritation, redness, rashes, itching, and bumps.
Harmful effects of different chemicals
Each chemical, for example, can cause a variety of serious complications, such as:
- Lead oxide, a common chemical used to make black, can cause renal failure and learning disabilities.
- Copper sulphate, which is used to create green colour, can cause eye irritation and temporary blindness.
- The main component of the purple colour, chromium iodide, can cause bronchial asthma.
- The main component used to make silver colour is aluminium bromide, which is known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Mercury sulphite is used to make red colour and can cause skin cancer.
Common allergies caused by these chemicals
With all of these chemicals mixed in to make colours, it’s no surprise that allergies are the most common reaction. Some of the most common allergies seen during and after Holi:
Eczema
One of the most common skin complications seen during Holi is eczema. It is an allergic reaction that causes the skin to become scaly and inflamed. You may also notice flaking and blisters, which can cause severe itching.
Dermatitis
Another common allergy caused by Holi colours is atopic dermatitis. Itching, pain, and blistering are all symptoms.
Rhinitis
It is an allergic reaction that causes nasal membrane inflammation. Nasal congestion, running nose, itching, and sneezing are common symptoms of this type of allergy.
Asthma
Artificial colours can wreak havoc on your airways. This condition causes difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.
Pneumonitis
An allergic reaction caused by inhaling chemically treated colours. This condition is characterised by fever, chest tightness, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
How to protect your skin this holi?
Read more: This Holi welcome your guests with these 6 delicious homemade drinks
Pre-Holi Advice:
- Before going out to play Holi, apply mustard oil or moisturiser to your entire body, including your face. Do this at least 30 minutes before leaving the house to allow the moisturiser to settle into the pores. This helps to keep the colour from sticking to your skin and makes it easier to remove later. As an added layer of protection and to prevent tanning, apply a thick layer of a good sunscreen with at least SPF 50 all over your arms, legs, and face.
- Before playing with colours, generously oil your strands to form a protective shield and prevent the colour from seeping into your scalp. Allow the oil to coat the follicles evenly overnight.
- Your lips are equally prone to picking up colour. Because your lips lack oil glands and are prone to chipping and flaking, using an SPF lip balm is essential.
- It’s also important to protect your nails because they take the brunt of the colour. You must use nail paint to protect your nails from the Holi colours. Begin by applying a top coat for extra protection and to keep your nails from staining. After the party, simply remove with an acetone-free nail polish remover.
Post-Holi Suggestions:
- After playing Holi, wash your face with a good moisturising face wash. Holi colours can be extremely drying, and using soap or harsh facewashes can aggravate the skin even more.
- To remove colour from your hair, use a clarifying shampoo. Apply conditioner to the lengths of your hair after shampooing. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing with cold water. Color protect conditioner should be used on color-treated hair.
- After your shower, don’t forget to apply a nourishing body lotion and face moisturiser because excess colour and sun exposure cause the skin to become dry. After your bath, apply a good moisturising cream to help restore your skin’s lipid balance and soothe irritated skin.
- All of that scrubbing can leave your skin dry and inflamed on your face. To soothe and hydrate your skin, apply a light face oil that works best for your skin type to thoroughly cleansed skin.
- A simple home remedy for fading stubborn colour that won’t wash away: In rose water, combine gram flour, sweet almond oil, and milk cream. Use the paste to cover up the areas where the colour has settled. Allow the paste to dry on the skin before gently rubbing it away in a circular motion.