By Ms Agnes Chen, Technical Head at Streax Professional
Holi is just around the corner, which means we’re all getting ready to celebrate one of the most joyful and enjoyable festival of colours. This delightful festival of colours is wonderful, but it may be a nightmare for the skin and hair. Its effects include skin breakouts irritation, rashes, and dryness, as well as hair fall and fizziness. But that’s not all; it may be as dangerous as one might think. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the festivities; rather, you should be extra cautious and protective of your skin and hair before playing in the colours of pleasure.
Today’s colours contain dyes, chemicals, and other harmful particles, all of which are extremely damaging to the hair. The colours used during Holi can cause your hair to become dull and brittle, and they can even trigger severe irritation which causes redness, irritation, and burning of the scalp. When it comes to coloured hair there is more risk of hair damage as the hair are already prone to fading and damage.
Therefore, coloured hair needs extra care and love during the festivals of Holi to avoid fading and damage. Before you jump into the pond of colours, here are some Holi hair care tips to follow to avoid the after-effects of the harmful colours by Ms Agnes Chen, Technical Head at Streax Professional.
Pre- Holi hair care regime
There are several ways to protect your hair from the onslaught of harsh Holi colours. Apply hair oil and massage your hair with a good amount of hair oil to protect the hair from discolouration and weakness. Shampoo your hair with nourishing shampoo to hydrate and moisturise the hair, apply a nourishing and hydrating conditioner and leave the conditioner in the hair. Now, tie up your hair in a bun and go out to enjoy Holi. The conditioner acts as a barrier and protects the hair.
Holi colours that are chemical-free and organic wash off easily and does not need to be removed forcefully and therefore, should be preferred.
Removing Holi colours
After you are back from the celebrations it is strongly recommended to thoroughly rinse your hair with plain water to get rid of dirt, dry colours and chemicals in the colours, but it is essential to remove Holi colours without going harsh on your scalp and hair. Apply a mild shampoo, gently massage your hair and scalp, leave it for about 10 minutes and then rinse out the shampoo completely. Now, apply a rich conditioner that will help replenish the oil and moisture that are taken away by the chemicals. For further effect, you can oil your hair and leave it overnight after Holi.
You can also opt for a hair mask for the next 2-3 days to get rid of the damage done by the chemicals for your coloured hair.
Care for coloured treated hair
If you have dry and coloured hair, you need to be even more careful during and after Holi. You must use a nourishing and hydrating conditioner and leave it in the hair while you play Holi. Traditionally a good hair oil like coconut oil or olive can be massaged on the scalp and hair from roots to the ends. Tie your hair up in a tight braid before stepping out to play colours. The oil hydrates and keeps the hair nourished while acting as a wall to Holi colours. Celebrating the festival with dry and organic colours is always advisable as dry colours can be easily dusted off.
If the unwanted Holi colour persists on your coloured hair, you can also opt for hair colour techniques so that other vibrant colours can be camouflaged by using an ammonia-free base shade on a level 3 or 4. In any other extreme cases, you can go in for a layered and textured haircut to remove the coloured spots.
Holi is a festival of joy and fun with friends. So, don’t fear hair damage, just follow these simple tips at home during pre and post-Holi time. Have a safe and sound Holi.
