Holi, the festival of colors, infuses our lives with joy and vibrancy. However, its aftermath can leave our hair dry, tangled, and damaged. To ensure your hair remains healthy and lustrous post-celebration, embracing the right hair care ritual is essential. The use of Ayurvedic oils and masks can offer a natural and holistic approach to tackling the damage caused by Holi to hair. Ayurvedic oils such as coconut, almond, and sesame provide a protective barrier against harsh colors while deeply moisturizing and strengthening the hair follicles. Additionally, using herbal hair masks made from ingredients like amla, reetha, and shikakai helps in the gentle yet thorough removal of colors while replenishing lost nutrients and restoring the hair's natural shine and vitality. Sharing below a guide to pre and post-Holi Ayurvedic hair care rituals that will safeguard your mane from the adverse effects of chemical-laden colors.
Pre-Holi Rituals:
1. Untangle and Oil Your Hair:
Before stepping out to play Holi, it's essential to properly untangle your hair to prevent excessive tangling caused by colors. Additionally, applying a generous amount of Ayurvedic oils or cold-pressed natural oils like coconut oil, almond oil, or sesame oil forms a protective barrier on your hair, making it less susceptible to color penetration.
2. Tie Your Hair:
Tying your hair not only prevents more color from getting into your hair but also minimizes tangling, which can lead to excessive hair fall. Secure your hair in a bun or braid to keep it protected while enjoying the festivities.
Post-Holi Rituals:
1. Brush Away Dry Colors:
After the celebration, gently brush your hair to remove dry colors. Avoid vigorous brushing as it may lead to breakage.
2. Use Mild Shampoo:
Avoid harsh shampoos with chemicals that can further damage your hair. Opt for a mild shampoo to cleanse your hair effectively without stripping away its natural oils.
3. Apply a Hair Mask:
Before shampooing, apply a nourishing hair mask for 20-30 minutes. Ingredients like curd, amla juice, reetha powder, and shikakai powder work wonders in removing color while providing deep conditioning to your hair.
4. Wash with Lukewarm Water:
According to Ayurveda, hot water can cause dryness and damage to the hair. Hence, use only lukewarm or cold water to wash off the colors and shampoo from your hair.
5. Moisturize with Conditioner:
After shampooing, use a moisturizing conditioner to restore hydration and prevent further drying of your hair. Choose a conditioner infused with natural ingredients to nourish your hair from root to tip.
Taking care of your hair before and after playing Holi is essential to keep it healthy and vibrant. By following these pre and post-Holi Ayurvedic hair care rituals, you can protect your hair from the damaging effects of colors while ensuring it remains soft, smooth, and lustrous.
Inputs by Dr. Shailendra Chaubey, Head of Ayurveda at Traya
English (US) ·