Worried about your hair this Holi?

Following is the transcript of the live chat held with Dr Apoorva Shah, trichologist, Richfeel on March 18 at 2.30pm

Stuti: Hello doctor. I have a question. I think I have really oily hair and im worried about how they will be effected by colour. Any advice?
Dr Shah: Hello stuti, synthetic colours cause damage to any kind of hair, therefore while playing holi one must be very careful about the kinds of colours used. Please try and use as natural as far as possible, colours to avoid damage to your crowning glory.

Praveen: Hey doc, I have a question I hardly have any hair so is it still important for me to safeguard my scalp from the colours?
Dr Shah: Hello praveen, synthetic colours can cause damage to not only hair but to any exposed part of our body including scalp and skin therefore before playing colour one must take precaution about oiling our scalp and also applying petroleum jelly to our skin.

Natasha: What is the best way to wash the colour off the hair?
Dr Shah: Hello bhakti, One must wash their hair after holi with lukewarm water with a good mild shampoo followed by a conditioner and apply hair repair serum on semi wet hair.

Lynne: I am prone to dandruff issues and hairfall. How do i prevent such damage to my hair during holi?
Dr Shah: Dear Lynne, you must completly avoid playing holi with unnatural mediums as the chemicals used can strip your hair of the natural sheen and make them brittle. If possible cover your hair with a cap or else adopt the use of only natural colours and do ensure that your scalp is well oiled before you start playing holi. Have a great hair day!

Yuvraj: Hello doc, I have really oily hair is it still necessary to put oil as a precautionary measure?
Dr Shah: Dear Yuvraj, oiling your scalp before playing holi safeguards your hair to a very extent from the damage that synthetic colours can cause, so it will be good if you oil your hair before playing holi. Have a great Hair Day!

Stuti: Hello doctor, my husband just got a hair transplant and has been told to avoid exposure on his hair for 2-3 weeks while it takes hold. Can he still play holi?
Dr Shah: Dear Stuti, I will not advise him to play holi if he has recently got his hair transplanted as synthetic colours can trigger off an allergy on his scalp. Prevention is better than cure since you have done a lifetime of investment. Holis will keep coming again.

Nachiket: I have been put on Hairmax due to scanty hair. Is it safe for me to play Holi, since I am on medication?
Dr Shah: Dear Nachiket, ensure you wash your hair thoroughly after playing holi with a mild shampoo and a conditioner. Have a great Hair Day!

Kanishtha: Hi doctor, could you please suggest a good cleanising shampoo and conditioner for dry curly hair for the colour?
Dr Shah: Dear Kanishtha, any mild shampoo which does not have a lot of perfume and colours is good for the hair as the purpose of shampoo is only to cleanse the hair and scalp of the dirt, dust and grime. Have a great Hair Day!

Lynne: Would it protect the hair more to tie it up and play holi rather than leave it loose?
Dr Shah: Dear Lynne, yes hair tied up would definitely be better, however the damage caused is due to the chemicals used in synthetic colours. Have a great Hair Day!

Natasha: I have recently coloured my hair, I am hoping the holi colours wont effect my hair. Can you suggest some tips
Dr Shah: Dear Natasha, use of synthetic colours will cause damage to your hair so please do avoid the use of the same, apply oil liberally before playing holi. Dont use unhygienic mediums like eggs, mud etc and wash your hair with a mild shampoo, condition the same and then apply hair repair serum to them. Have a great Hair Day!

Sheena: Hi Dr Apoorva, I have recently got hair extensions. I have never played Holi before, can you give me tips on how I can make sure that my extensions dont get spoilt with the colors?
Dr Shah: Dear Sheena, please avoid playing holi if you can if you have recently invested in hair extensions or else you may cover your hair while playing holi. Do wash your hair properly with a mild shampoo, condition then and apply a hair repair serum. Have a great Hair Day!

Himmat: Hi doctor is it better to use oil or a leave in conditioner?
Dr Shah: Dear Himmat an oil is definitely better since it is more natural & is also the best conditioner in the world. Have a great Hair Day!

Alis85: Hi doctor - a little unrelated to color, but I tend to consume a lot of bhang and alcohol during the festival. does this affect my hair at all? How? What can i do to mitigate the damage?
Dr Shah: Dear Ali, Hair is what you eat, (in your case what you drink) therefore be careful about what you consume since it is directly going to affect your hair. if possible do avoid it, if not then the lesser you do the better it is. eventually in your hands. Have a great Hair Day!

Prachi: Would lime and vinegar help in removing the colour?
Dr Shah: Dear Prachi, I would advise if you have normal hair since lime and vinegar can strip your hair off the natural oils it has.If not then yes lime is supposed to possess great cleaning properties but a mild shampoo is your safer bet. Have a great Hair Day!.

Tanya: Hi Doctor, I have a 5 year old son, are there any particular tips for childrens hair?
Dr Shah: Dear Tanya, children are more to infection than adults, so let your child enjoy holi in the most natural way possible and let him not use artificial colours. As a mother ensure that the parts of his body which are exposed are well moisturized and his hair oiled before he goes to play. Again use only natural mediums as children can get allergies due to infections. Have a great Hair Day!

Lynne: My husband is slightly balding, is there a way to protect his scalp from the colours?
Dr Shah: Dear Lynne, have him cover his scalp while he plays holi and try and use natural colours. His scalp should be well oiled since the synthetic colours can make the hair dry and brittle. Have a great Hair Day!