A business owner is warning holidaymakers and backpackers to always carry a water filter with them - after 'hard water' in Bali caused her hair to drop out. Hollie Marie was visiting the island with friends in 2021 when she noticed her hair started thinning but was clueless about why it was happening. Within months the 27-year-old had lost the majority of her 30-inch long blonde hair after it became matted and 'huge chunks' fell out every time she brushed it.
This forced a horrified Hollie, who'd been wearing wigs for months to hide patches, to shave her head completely. Mortified, Holly felt unable to leave her house for two months because she felt 'so ugly'. (Image: Kennedy News) After putting her hair loss down to stress, the sun or even alopecia, Hollie claims a hairdresser revealed the 'hard, poor quality' of the island's tap water was to blame.
To prevent other tourists from going through her 'traumatising' experience Hollie, who's lived in Bali for the last three years, set up her own shower filter business. Documenting her hair journey on TikTok, Hollie shared a clip urging people to be aware of how water can affect hair and skin that went viral, racking up 786,800 views. One shocking clip shows the large clumps of hair found on Hollie's brush after a single use.
She says those going for 10 days or less will most likely be fine but urges those going for a fortnight or more to ensure they use filters to protect their locks. Hollie, originally from Cardiff, Wales, said:.