As exciting as biking can be, the messy hair from bike helmets is frustrating to deal with.
Moreover, regular helmet use can cause several hair issues and worsen existing ones— I’ve been a sufferer myself. But let’s say I’ve learned it the hard way, so I take the proper precautions nowadays after my cycling sessions. So, whether you’re a regular commuter or a passionate cyclist, don’t take this aftermath lightly.
That’s why I thought of penning this guide on how to prevent bike helmet hair. So, let’s get to the details.
Is There a Bike Helmet That Doesn’t Mess Up Your Hair?
Having used a couple of bike helmets to date, I’ve found there are none available that won’t impact your hair. It’s worth noting that your hair might also be messed up if you don’t wear a helmet the proper way.
To prevent such possibilities, here’s what you can do— pull the helmet straight down while wearing it and after you’ve worn it, make sure that it doesn’t tilt or displace.
Do Bike Helmets Cause Hair Loss?
Though there’s divided opinion in this matter, wearing helmets is regarded as a major cause behind traction alopecia. It’s a type of hair loss owing to continuous pulling on the hair backward.
If you wear a helmet that’s too loose or too small, it might enhance hair tension as the helmet can pull the hairs at the front in the backward direction.
Moreover, traction alopecia might make the roots near the surface of the scalp weaker and prevent them from anchoring securely. And this can eventually cause them to fall out easily and even stop them from growing back.
Another popular opinion is that helmets rubbing against the hair frequently can irritate the hair shaft and can even cause scalp inflammation, triggering more hair loss. That’s why it’s essential to care for and maintain both your hair and the helmet, which I’ll be discussing in the later sections.
How to Prevent Bike Helmet Hair?
Taking some simple measures can help prevent bike helmets from ruining the hair:
Choose The Best Fitting Helmet
While buying a bike helmet, getting one of the right size is of prime importance, as a properly fitting unit will ensure there’s minimal hair tension. So, I’d say be extra careful to ensure whether the helmet is of the appropriate size, that is, it’s not too loose or too tight. When you put it on, your hair shouldn’t be pulled too tight.
Furthermore, a tight helmet will restrict airflow and cause heat and dirt to be trapped within. And it can even become a breeding ground for infectious bacteria.
Low-Maintenance Hairstyles
For those who ride more frequently, switching to a low-maintenance, bike-friendly hairstyle can prevent ruining of the hair to a great extent. Fortunately, most of the short hairstyles are suitable for wearing helmets, like an undercut with a side part.
But if you prefer to keep long hair even while commuting on a bike regularly, try to avoid a fringe as that can be trickier to maintain and style. Also, women can tie the hair in a simple low bun as that will keep the hair tidy and neat while riding.
Keep Your Helmet Clean
Aside from using a helmet of the right size, keeping it clean is equally important. While the head sweats within the helmet, the inner layers of this headgear naturally get wet with sweat. Furthermore, dirt and air borne bacteria can settle in the lining and padding, and all this can have damaging effects on your hair.
That’s why I recommend using an antibacterial solution regularly on the inner lining of the helmet and letting it air dry thereafter. Also, make sure you store the helmet in an airy spot so that it can dry out easily after use.
Protect Curls With A Bike Cap, Beanies
If you have curly hair, I’d suggest taking extra precaution by using a beanie or a bike cap within the bike helmet. But remember that it shouldn’t affect the fitting of that helmet. The beanie should also be comfortable, lightweight, and breathable so that your hair stays healthy.
Live With It
Remember when I said there’s no helmet that won’t affect your hair in any way? So, it’s best if you learn to live with it by adopting the precautions discussed above. That will help prevent any major hair damage in the long run.
FAQs
Does wearing a bike helmet cause dandruff?
Although most studies haven’t directly linked helmet use to hair problems, some independent ones have suggested that wearing helmets regularly can aggravate a pre-existing dandruff problem. That’s because it might lead to the accumulation of sweat in the hair roots.
Hence, I’d recommend cleaning the hair regularly with a medicated shampoo to keep the scalp clean and adequately nourished.
Why does my bike helmet make my head itch?
As mentioned earlier, wearing helmets can lead to a static buildup of sweat and dirt in their inner lining. And on coming in contact with the scalp, these impurities can cause itchiness or irritation.
Final Words
So, that was all about how bike helmets can affect your hair and the ways to prevent it from being messed up. Hopefully, you’re better equipped to deal with such issues now.
Before wrapping up, here’s one last tip for you— in case you’re facing major hair loss problems due to helmet use, it’s important to find out the root cause. For instance, using poor quality or ill-sized helmets can aggravate such hair problems. And once you’re able to figure this out, you can tackle the problem more effectively.
See you next time!
