Tropical Haircare in Bali: Your Ultimate Survival Guide

In a tropical climate like Bali, hair is exposed to sun, wind, saltwater, and chlorinated water, which can lead to damage. This is especially true for those whose hair is used to milder climates. In this guide, we’ll explore the main factors affecting hair health, and share practical tips on hair care in Bali to keep it looking beautiful and healthy.

It's impossible not to admire how beautiful Indonesian hair is: smooth, shiny, and dark with a rich color—they look very healthy and well-maintained. This is indeed true, but there are objective reasons for it:

- Number of cuticle layers: Asian hair has twice as many layers, protecting it from damage. You can’t increase this through cosmetics, diet, lifestyle, or supplements—it's simply genetics.

- Pheomelanin content: Asian hair contains more pigment, which absorbs UV rays, making it less prone to fading.

Because European hair doesn't have such serious protection as Asian hair, over time, we may notice a deterioration in its condition.

- High UV index: In Bali, it can reach level 9. Intense sun damages hair—hair fading, which many people like, is actually the result of multiple oxidation reactions and structural damage.

- Saltwater and chlorinated water: They dehydrate the hair—pulling out moisture and removing the natural protective layer from hair and skin.

- Humidity and wind: Due to humidity, hair can take a long time to dry, and the wind can tangle it, making it hard to comb and causing mechanical damage.

- Lack of familiar care products: Your usual products may not work in a different climate.

1. Head coverings: Cap, hat, bandana, or tucking your hair under clothing—anything that protects hair from direct sunlight. Your hair will thank you.

2. SPF sprays for hair: These work like sunscreen but for your hair. Apply every few hours, especially after swimming. In Bali, the options are limited to Sashajuan (cream) and Rene Furterer, but prevention is key. I also recommend using products with argan oil, as it acts as a natural SPF.

After swimming in the sea, your hair becomes stiff and tangled, as if you spent the whole day on a carousel! Here's what to do:

1. Don't comb salty hair.

2. Rinse your hair in fresh water: Do this for at least three minutes, thoroughly and carefully.

3. Bring a small container of hair mask or conditioner to the beach: After rinsing your hair with water, apply the product for five minutes and comb your hair.

4. Protect salty hair from the sun: Due to the salt, hair fades much faster.

If there’s no shower at the beach or you didn’t bring any products, simply tuck your hair under clothing or a head covering and wait until you get home.

In Asia, hair can become frizzy, fluffy, and "unruly" or take a long time to dry—especially common during rainy days in Ubud. This is not good—a moist environment is conducive to fungi, which can lead to itching, dandruff, and other unpleasant effects. Here's what you can do:

1. Dry your hair with a hairdryer: Wet hair is easily damaged, so use a hairdryer to dry it quickly.

2. Use anti-frizz products: These products help reduce frizz, smooth the hair, and many of them have heat protection properties, which is essential before using a hairdryer.

3. Follow the curly method: If your hair starts frizzing, it’s a sign it might be curly—even if you’ve always thought otherwise! Surprise! Why not try the curly hair care method?

After swimming in the pool, light-colored hair can turn greenish due to a chemical reaction with copper sulfate, which is often added to water to make it look attractively blue. Here's what to do:

1.lDon’t wet your hair in the pool: It may sound boring, but it’s the simplest way to avoid the problem.

2. Take a shower and apply a mask for 5–7 minutes before swimming: This way, your hair will absorb less chlorinated water.

3. Rinse your hair after swimming and apply a mask again.

4. If your hair turns green: Use a clarifying shampoo twice and a pink-tinted hair mask—this will help neutralize the green tint.

Start with all the tips mentioned above and add the following:

1. Find a surfer hat that fits well and wear it as often as possible—it will help protect both your scalp (burnt scalp skin can cause imbalance and hair loss) and your hair.

2. Bring small containers of shampoo, mask with oils, a mini brush, and leave-in conditioner with you, and wash your hair after surfing. If you don’t have time, just apply the mask and do the full routine at home.

3. If you surf daily, use a hair mask every day—don’t worry about weighing down your hair; it won’t happen.

Natural formulas or brands marketed as natural often don't work well. The key is for the hair care routine to be effective: the shampoo should cleanse without causing irritation or dryness, and hair products should smooth and protect from damage. In Asia, natural formulas may not be suitable for hair, especially if it's bleached.

This section includes a selection of time-proven products with good results. They are easy to find, affordable, and suitable for various hair types. Many of these products can be found at Guardian and Watson stores or online on Tokopedia or Shopee.

If you love swimming in the ocean or pool, I recommend using two shampoos: one for days when you swim, and another for days when you don’t. Otherwise, use a gentle shampoo and a sulfate one in a 3-to-1 ratio (three times gentle, one time sulfate). Also, consider scalp peels—they help remove dead skin, salt residue, and dust.

Gentle shampoos:

- L’Oréal Curl Expression

- Dancoly Rosemary/Orange Flower/Argan Oil/Marula Oil

Sulfate shampoos:

- L’Oréal Metal Detox, Pro Longer

- Love Beauty and Planet

- Petal Fresh

- Pantene Aqua Pure, Pantene Micellar

A hair mask is an essential product that should not be neglected. Keep the mask on for no longer than 7 minutes and use it every 3–4 washes, and you’ll see results quickly. For those worried about weighing down their hair, I’ve noted masks for fine hair separately.

For fine hair:

- MATRIX Biolage Hydrasource

- L’Oréal Absolute Repair, Vitamino Color

- Dancoly Marula Oil/Orange Flower

For all others: the same as for fine hair, plus Matrix Repair Inside, L’Oréal Liss Unlimited (if your hair is very porous, frizzy, and dry), Dancoly Argan Oil, Erha Ceramide & Keratin, Mo.ra Keratin Intensive Hair.

Unlike masks, use conditioner every time—it smooths and moisturizes hair. Three minutes is usually enough. By the way, if your hair gets very tangled after biking or being at the beach, it’s better to detangle it with conditioner: wet your hair, apply conditioner, comb it, then shampoo and follow the rest of your routine.

The routine can look like this: conditioner-shampoo-conditioner, for example.

- L’Oréal Liss Unlimited Serum – tames frizz + heat protection.

- Real Shea Leave-In Treatment – heat protection.

Finally, don’t forget to wash your headwear, hair ties, and brushes regularly, and clean your helmet too.