It is no doubt, riding a motorcycle certainly requires wearing a helmet for long hours. Unfortunately, prolonged usage of the helmet cause hair loss.
You may wonder, why wearing a helmet cause hair early hair loss? The answer may surprise you.
The research says, “Extended usage of the motorcycle helmet makes the hair roots move close to the scalp and give rise to a condition called Traction Alopecia.” In this article, we will discuss why wearing a helmet cause hair loss? We will also share useful tips on how to avoid hair loss due to helmet. And above all, PickHelmet.com would love to suggest some of the best motorcycle helmets that will help prevent premature hair loss.
After significant research & analysis, we identified two main reasons for hair loss due to wearing a helmet daily. The two reasons that contribute to hair loss due to headgear are listed down below:
- Traction Alopecia
- Sweat & Bacteria
Let’s have a brief glimpse of these two reasons for a hair loss due to helmet.
- TRACTION ALOPECIA
According to the University of Iowa Health care, Traction Alopecia is the type of hair loss caused by constant pulling on your hair, such as:
- Extended Usage of Helmet
- Braids
- Cornrows
- Weaves
- Tight ponytails and buns
- Repeated use of rollers to set hair
Do you know? Close-fitting hairstyles pull the hair strand that connected to the hair follicle. Over time, it damages the scalp. It gives rise to thin, short, broken hairs and bald spots.
- SYMPTOMS OF TRACTION
ALOPECIA
You may wonder, how do I know if I am at risk for Traction Alopecia? Let us enlist few symptoms of Traction Alopecia:
- Receding hairline around the forehead,
temples, or nape - Redness, itching, and ulcers on the scalp
- Soreness or Stinging of Scalp
- Inflammation of the hair follicles
- Tenderness & Crusting
How to Prevent Traction Alopecia?
The good news is you can prevent traction alopecia due to the helmet. Here are some tips for treating this condition:
- Avoid Tight-hairstyles
- Avoid Putting Relaxers
- Use Anti-bacterial Cloth Inside Helmet
- Wear Comfortable Helmets
- SWEAT & BACTERIA
Sweat and bacteria are another reason that contributes to hair loss due to wearing a helmet.
It is no secret during riding dirt bikes, playing baseball, or enjoying a day on a beach, your cap or helmet gathers sweat, dirt & other foreign matter from the environment and keeps those pollutants near your scalp until you take it off.
If you are interested in buying the best helmets for bicycles, check out the comprehensive buyer’s guide.
While you may wash your hair and scalp, but you may forget to wash your helmet or cap with regularity.
Every time you wear a helmet without washing, the bacteria have a higher chance of spreading. It is no surprise this bacterium then infects your scalp, increasing the likelihood of stunted hair growth and ultimately resulting in premature hair loss.
Few tips to combat hair loss due to sweat & bacteria:
- Spray the Anti-bacterial Solution Inside the Helmet
- Wipe-down the Helmet With Anti-bacterial Cloths
- Use Anti-bacterial Cap Inside the Helmet
ESSENTIAL TIPS TO AVOID HAIR LOSS DUE TO HELMET:
Unfortunately, wearing a helmet for long hours gives rise to problems like hair loss, scalp problems, and damaged hair. But, don’t worry, the following tips and tricks can help you avoid hair loss due to helmet:
- Keep Your Hair Clean & Moisturize
- Maintain A Healthy Scalp
- Keep Your Helmet Clean & Hygienic
- Use A Cloth Inside Your Helmet
- Choose Your Helmet Wisely
- KEEP YOUR HAIR CLEAN & MOISTURIZE
For preventing premature hair loss due to wearing a helmet, it is essential to maintain the best cleanliness of your scalp and hairs. It would be best if you washed off your strands daily with a mild cleanser so that the sebum does not continue to stick to your hairs and scalp, inviting dirt and subsequent hair loss.
Keeping your hair moisturize plays a significant role in preventing hair loss due to helmet. The research says human hair needs plenty of moisture, for it keeps our hair pliable and hydrated. Without that moisture, our hair becomes dry and brittle.
2. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SCALP
As we mentioned earlier, wearing a helmet for long hours may aggravate already existing scalp problems. So, if your scalp is healthy & problem-free, automatically, you will not experience premature hair loss due to wearing a helmet.
Are you wondering how to maintain a healthy and problem-free scalp? We have rounded up three home remedies to keep a healthy scalp.
Here are few result-oriented home remedies to maintain a problem-free & healthy scalp:
- Apply Curd & Aloe Vera to Prevent Dandruff
- Apply Cider Vinegar for Itchy Scalp
- Apply Ginger Juice to Cure Scalp Infection
Apply Curd & Aloe Vera to Prevent Dandruff:
Mix one tablespoon of fresh curd with two spoons of freshly prepared Aloe Vera pulp and apply this mixture onto your scalp and hairs. Leave on for 45 minutes and wash off with a mild cleanser. Repeat a week thrice for quick results.
Apply Cider Vinegar for Itchy Scalp:
If you do not have dandruff, but you are suffering from itchy scalp, follow this treatment. Mix one part of ACV with 1 part of water and spray this mixture onto your scalp and hairs. Let it set for 10 minutes and wash off with a mild cleanser. Follow a week thrice.
Apply Ginger Juice to Cure Scalp Infection:
Make fresh ginger juice by grinding 2-inches of ginger and squeezing out the juice. Apply this juice onto the roots of your hairs and the scalp with a cotton ball. Leave on for 30 minutes and wash off to get a problem-free scalp. Start with twice a week and then reduce the frequency to once a week.
3. KEEP YOUR HELMET CLEAN & HYGIENIC
It is no surprise, the inner layer of the helmet gets wet with your sweat. It is also essential to clean the inner lining of your helmet regularly and to ensure that there is no fungal growth on the soft inner layer.
Plus, store your helmet in a hygienic and well-ventilated place so that it can quickly get dried up and give no room to bacterial growth.
4. USE A CLOTH INSIDE YOUR HELMET
The next prevention to avoid hair loss due to wearing a helmet includes adding a layer of cotton cloth inside the helmet’s inner shell -it can diminish the helmet-hair friction.
Keeping cotton cloth inside the helmet also absorbs sweat, which prevents not just your hair, but the lining of your helmet from getting ruined as well. However, ensure this cloth is washed and dried often to keep it fungus-free.
See the complete guide on how to create a custom motorcycle helmet.
5. CHOOSE YOUR HELMET WISELY
Another most essential tip to avoid hair loss due to helmet includes the selection of a brand and a high-quality helmet.
Wearing an under-sized helmet cause hair loss “Traction alopecia,” which gives rise to gradual helmet cause hair loss due to constant pulling of hair in the backward direction.
Always wear a helmet of the right size, which is not too tight or too loose. Check out the most comfortable helmets with a camera on the market. Also, take the time to wear your helmet correctly to prevent the hair from getting pulled backward.
Final Thoughts
We hope your query about why wearing a helmet cause hair loss answered in the best way possible. Pick Helmet listed reasons that contribute to hair loss due to helmet and prevention tips to avoid premature hair loss due to wearing a motorcycle helmet for long periods.
Follow the tips and tricks mentioned in this article and avoid the early hair loss due to the helmet.