News India Live, Digital Desk: The festival of Holi is a confluence of happiness and colors, but these colors can be no less than an enemy for the health of your hair. Nowadays, chemicals, lead and fine particles of glass present in the colors available in the market can make the hair dry, lifeless and weak.1. Before playing Holi (Pre-Holi Preparation) Preparation for hair protection should start even before leaving the house: Thick layer of oil (Oil is Your Shield): At least 1 hour before playing Holi, massage coconut, olive or mustard oil thoroughly on the hair and scalp. The oil forms a protective shield on the hair, preventing the color from penetrating inside the hair cuticles. Don’t Leave Them Open: The color penetrates deeper into open hair and there is a risk of tangling. It would be better if you braid your hair or tie a tight bun. Use of a cap or scarf: If you are more concerned about your hair, then tie a scarf or wear a cap on your head. This reduces direct exposure to colors to a great extent.2. Post-Holi Recovery: Do not damage your hair in a hurry to remove the color, follow these steps: Shake off dry color: Before wetting the hair, comb or shake them thoroughly to remove the dry color. Colors stick deeper when wet. Wash with plain water: Do not apply shampoo directly on hair. Let the colors wash off first with plenty of plain water. Herbal or Cleansing Shampoo: Use a mild or sulphate-free shampoo to remove the colours. If the color is too stubborn, add a little lemon juice to water and rinse your hair. Conditioning is essential: Hair loses its moisture due to colors and water. After washing, apply a good deep conditioner or hair mask so that the shine of the hair can return.3. Some special home remedies: Curd and honey mask: After removing color from hair, apply a mixture of curd and honey. It cools the scalp and returns moisture. Fenugreek Seed Water: Washing hair with fenugreek water soaked overnight also provides relief from itching after Holi. Pro Tip: Do not get any chemical treatment (like hair coloring or smoothening) done on the hair for at least a week immediately after Holi.