Dr. Priyanka Kuri, Consultant – Dermatology, Aster Whitefield Hospital.

The festival of colours can negatively impact your hair in a variety of ways.
Here is what a doctor recommends for safeguarding your hair, the
necessary precautions to take, and vital hair safety tips.

Holi may be the festival of colours, but for your hair, it often becomes the
festival of consequences. Every year, as soon as the colours settle and the
water guns are put away, people across the country see a rise in hair
damage complaints, from roughness, dryness, and breakage to sudden
hair fall. And while Holi has evolved into a far more vibrant celebration than
its traditional one. Spefically, the colours used today are unfortunately far
removed from the safe, plantbased powders used before the most sought
after easily affordable but chemically produced dyes and pigments.

Scientific analysis in the Journal of Public Health Policy has repeatedly
found that many commercially available colours contain hazardous heavy
metals such as lead, which are far above permissible limits, alongside
endotoxins that irritate the scalp and skin. Once these pigments settle on
hair strands, they bind strongly and can even seep into the scalp, making
removal difficult and further increasing the damage.

Why Your Hair Suffers After Holi
Speaking to NDTV, Dr Priyanka Kuri, Consultant Dermatologist, Aster
Whitefield Hospital, explained that most modern Holi colours are now
made using synthetic dyes and industrial pigments, not natural sources.

The use of these dyes can increase hair damage during Holi, and it
happens through multiple mechanisms, and most people don't realise how
vulnerable hair fibres really are. NDTV also spoke to Dr Sakshi, Bachelor
of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS), Team Leader at Traya
Health, who explained that the key effects of holi colours on the delicate
hair strands, here are the key effects that you should know:

1. Damage To The Cuticle
The hair cuticle is your hair's outermost shield, and it gets compromised
when coarse pigment particles cling to it or are rubbed into the strands
during play. Dr Kuri explains that this abrasion leads to dry, rough, brittle

hair and split ends, especially in people who already undergo chemical
treatments, heat styling, or frequent colouring. Once the cuticle is
weakened, hair becomes more porous and prone to breakage. While Dr
Sakshi has said that harsh chemicals and sun exposure lift the cuticle,
causing frizz, roughness, and high porosity.

2. Alkaline Liquid Colours Worsen Dryness
The liquid colours popular in many celebrations pose an additional threat.
They are usually dissolved in alkaline solutions, which strip natural oils from
the scalp and hair. Without these oils, the hair shaft loses its flexibility,
making strands stiff and breakprone. And Dr Sakshi says that colours strip
natural oils, making hair brittle and prone to split ends.

3. PostHoli Scrubbing Causes More Harm Than The Colours
Many people assume the harsh scrubbing they do to remove colours is
"cleaning". In reality, this vigorous friction is what leads to most of the
immediate post-Holi hair fall. Dr Kuri clarifies that this is not true shedding
from the roots but breakage along the shaft, caused by weakened,
dehydrated hair snapping under pressure. In addition, Dr Sakshi conveyed
that chemicals may cause dullness, hair fall, and even premature greying if
not washed properly.
Side-Effects Of Dry And Liquid Holi Colours On Hair
While speaking to Dr Sakshi, she goes on to explain the exact impact of dry
powders and liquid holi colours on hair strands, these side-effects can
include:

Dry Powders:
 Stick to the scalp and strands.
 Increase friction and breakage
 Causes itching and staining (especially on treated hair)
Liquid Colours:
 Penetrate deeper into the cuticle.
 May trigger allergic reactions or contact dermatitis
 Cause stronger staining
What You Can Do: DermatologistApproved Precautions

Most of this inflicted damage is preventable. With a few mindful steps, as
emphasised by Dr Kuri, you can protect your hair before you step out and
treat it lovingly once the celebrations are over.

1. Oil Your Hair Generously Before Stepping Out
Apply coconut, almond, or a light hair oil to seal the hair strands. The oil
forms a protective barrier that can help with:

 Limiting the negative impact of chemical pigments that are present in
synthetic Holi colour packets.

 Makes it easier to wash colours off later, as once the Holi colours are dried,
they are hard to wash off.
2. Never Play Holi With Freshly Washed Hair
Slightly oily hair offers far superior protection than clean, dry hair. As the
pores of the hair open when they are washed. The natural sebum acts like
a buffer between your hair and the pigments.

3. Tie Your Hair Or Cover It
Whether it's a bun, braid, scarf, or bonnet, limiting direct exposure ensures
fewer pigments latch onto your strands and scalp. This will protect your hair
strands, especially from harsh chemical exposure that can't be controlled.
4. Rinse With Plain Water First
After the celebrations, Dr Kuri recommends a simple water rinse to remove
the accumulated Holi colour in the hair strands. Make sure that there is no
friction and no shampooing yet. This helps flush out loose particles without
stressing the hair.

5. Then Use A Gentle, SulphateFree Shampoo
Sulphatefree shampoo formulas cleanse without stripping whatever
moisture your hair has left. To protect it further, you can follow this up with
a deepconditioning mask or a moisturising hair spa treatment to replenish
lost hydration.

6. Avoid Heat Styling and Harsh Scrubbing For 2 to 3 days
Let your hair recover after the heavy chemical exposure. Blow-drying,
ironing or using hot water on your hair can further dehydrate already-
stressed strands.

7. Opt For Natural Colours When Possible
While availability varies, herbal, floral, or vegetablebased colours remain
significantly safer, as highlighted by being less harsh on your hair tresses.
The lesser the chemical load, the lesser the aftermath.

Also Read: Dermatologist Explains 4 Natural Remedies For Winter Hair
Fall And Dandruff
Safety Tips: Choose Herbal Colours
Dr Sakshi has detailed the herbal process of making Holi colours that can
lead to a safe Holi celebration especially for your hair. She says that,
'Herbal gulal is made from natural ingredients like flowers, leaves, and
spices mixed with flour for softness.

Examples:
 Yellow: turmeric + gram flour (antibacterial).
 Red/Pink: beetroot or hibiscus.
 Green: henna or neem (anti-allergic).
 Blue: Indigo or Jacaranda flowers.
 Orange: Boiled Palash (Tesu) flowers.
The Traditional Process
1. Selection
2. Drying
3. Grinding and Sifting
4. Base Mix With arrowroot powder and multani mitti
5. Aromatic Infusion – Sandalwood/Rose
Why Choose Herbal Colours?
 Safe for hair and skin
 Eco-friendly
 Non-toxic
 Easy to wash off
Why These Steps Matter

Hair is structurally delicate, as it is made up of overlapping keratin layers
that can easily lift, crack, or break when exposed to external stress. The
chemicals in today's Holi colours aren't just harsh; they are extremely
tough, alkaline, and laced with toxins. When they penetrate the scalp or
embed into hair fibres, they cause both immediate mechanical damage and
longterm chemical degradation.

But with the right preparation and aftercare, you can drastically minimise
the impact. As Dr Kuri sums up, “With simple preparation and gentle
aftercare, much of the dryness and brittleness commonly seen after Holi
can be prevented.”
And that's the key takeaway from this that your Holi can stay colourful
without costing you the health of your hair.