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| Diwali Skin Care - Dr Niketa's Skin Secrets |
Diwali is probably the most awaited festival in India! All of us love dressing up, meeting friends and relatives and exchanging gifts. In India Diwali is a festival of lights and fire crackers. Though we now promote a smokeless and noise free Diwali, it's still going to be a while before we actually give up our love for the noisy and colorful fire works.
As you meticulously plan get togethers, prepare Diwali sweets and enjoy the Diwali shopping spree... Do not forget that your skin and hair will need all that extra attention too. Follow these simple tips to have an enjoyable skin safe Diwali
1. Always wash your hands after handling fire crackers
Fire crackers contain harmful chemicals and gun powder that can get absorbed into your body through the skin leading to poisoning. Remember to wash your hands after buying crackers, arranging or showing your collection of crackers to others.
2. Wash your hands, feet and face after a session of lighting crackers
This is especially important for acne prone skin. The dust and pollution suspended in the air gets easily dissolved in the oils of the skin and causes the pores to get blocked. This may result in a severe flare of acne after diwali. Dry skin may feel drier and more dull.
3. Tie a scarf around the hair
Hair can get singed or catch fire easily with cracker sparks. Try not to wear your hair down while lighting crackers. If you must then wrap a scarf around your head. This will also prevent the chemicals, dust and pollution from settling on your hair.
4. Have a bath at night before sleeping
The cracker dust and pollution settle on the skin while you are out watching and lighting fireworks. This can cause allergic and irritant reactions on the skin. Always have a good shower preferably including a hair wash to rinse the gun power and dust that settles on your hair and body.
5. First Aid Kit
Keep a first aid kit ready in advance. And keep the required emergency phone numbers at hand. In case of burns wash the area with running tap water and a mild soap. Hold the area under running water for 5-10 minutes. For mild burns with only redness and no skin damage apply a cooling calamine or aloe lotion. For burns with visible skin erosion apply an antibiotic such as Fucidin cream and wrap a light gauze dressing. Visit the nearest hospital Emergency Department, Family Physician, General Physician or Dermatologist at the earliest.
Apart from this be sure to stay hydrated, go easy on the sweets and limit the alcohol intake. Watch your kids while lighting crackers. And most importantly Do Not Drink and Drive.
Have a Happy Diwali!
Keep looking beautiful
XOXO
Dr Niketa
