Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is essential and has life-saving benefits. But you may have heard that wearing a helmet causes hair loss. If you are a regular two-wheeler rider, you are most likely wondering if that’s true and if there is something you can do to prevent it.
Wearing a helmet can cause hair loss, although it usually won’t. It can cause a condition called traction alopecia. However, there are certain things you can do to reduce the hair loss you might experience after wearing a helmet, and you should always wear one when riding a motorcycle.
Although experiencing hair loss over the years is something you can expect, not wearing a helmet is not a solution. Therefore, we will provide you with the necessary information on how to minimize the risk of hair loss when wearing a helmet.
Things You Must Know About Hair Loss
These are some of the most important facts you need to know about hair loss in general before we dive deeper into details of how it is caused:
- Hair loss is very often hereditary
- The lack of blood flow to your scalp can cause hair loss
- Certain types of medications can also be the cause of hair loss
- Men above the age of 50 are most prone to hair loss
Hair Loss And Helmets
The way you wear your helmet can contribute to whether or not you experience hair loss from wearing one. For instance, if you wear a helmet for a longer period of time, you will most likely start sweating. This will cause bad bacteria to accumulate on your scalp. This can then eventually lead to hair loss down the line.
If a helmet is made out of cheap, low-quality materials, it can cause even more sweating and lead to fungal infections. The way you put the helmet on your head and remove it also has an impact on hair loss, but the duration for which you wear it is definitely the most important factor to consider.
Fungal Bacteria In Helmets
Your helmet will, over time, absorb a lot of dirt and sweat. It then becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Once the fungus and bacteria develop, they can not only cause hair loss, but affect the growth of new hair too. So, it’s vital that you try and limit for how long you’re wearing your helmet, and make sure you keep it clean too.
Proper Way Of Wearing A Helmet
The way you wear a helmet also has a huge impact on your hair. Therefore, you need to ensure that your hair is never pulled tightly while you wear a helmet. If you feel like your hair is not being pulled, you are probably wearing the helmet properly.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is a condition that is mostly caused by hair tightening as well as using braids for long periods of time. It is usually caused by excessive pulling of your hair. That is why this problem has been observed by a lot of regular riders who need to wear helmets all the time.
9 Methods To Reduce Hair Loss
1. Wash Hair With Shampoo
Washing your hair with shampoo regularly does not only improve the look of your hair but also prevents dandruff. Still, in order to prevent dryness and keep your hair in good condition, you shouldn’t wash your hair more than once a day.
2. Avoid Brushing Your Hair While It’s Wet
You should never brush your hair while it’s wet. Your hair is at its weakest point while it is wet and brushing it could cause hair loss. It is always better to use a wide-toothed comb and gently comb it if you absolutely must.
3. Apply Green Tea
Green tea is well-known for its beneficial effects on hair, especially if you’re experiencing hair loss. In order to apply the green tea on your hair you need to heat two bags in a cup and let it cool. Once it is cold gently apply it to your hair and wash it off after one hour. You should start seeing results after 10 days of doing this regularly.
4. Avoid Hair Dryers
If you heat your hair after your shower too often, it could cause hair loss by damaging your scalp. The heat can weaken the proteins in your hair. Most of the time, when you use a hairdryer on your hair while it is wet, it will turn rough. This could be a sign that your scalp is being damaged, and so you should avoid doing it as much as you can.
5. Consider Any Medicine You’re Taking
Certain types of medicines are known for causing hair damage, dandruff or even hair loss. Therefore, if you suspect that some medicine you take has something to do with your hair loss, you should consult your doctor and tell her/him about this issue.
6. Avoid Smoking
Smoking can also affect the blood flow to your scalp and so cause hair loss. That is why you should avoid smoking as much as possible. Still, if you can’t quit smoking, try reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke a day, as this can still help to limit hair loss.
7. Regular Exercise
Stress is one of the most common reasons for hair loss. There are many different ways to destress yourself, and regular exercise can be extremely beneficial for your mental health. It is one of the best ways to burn the stress away and keep a calm head, as well as to keep your body healthy too.
8. Apply Coconut Oil
Aside from many other health benefits, coconut oil can be really helpful in terms of hair growth. Applying coconut oil on your hair can help it grow faster, longer and thicker. You should apply it once a week, an hour before showering.
9. Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is another thing you should stay away from as it is well-known for its detrimental effects on hair growth. It reduces the thickness of your hair, weakening your scalp enough to cause hair damage or even hair loss. Pairing this with a helmet being worn for long periods of time is a recipe for hair loss.
How To Properly Take Care Of Your Hair
Believe it or not, a lot of things you do on a daily basis affect the health of your hair. For instance, using a hair gel, to keep your hair in shape, can be a really bad idea. It keeps your hair dry, increasing the risk of hair loss and damage.
Curling and combing your hair when it’s not necessary can weaken your hair too. Try not to color your hair with more than one shade. The more colors you use the more chemicals are being applied, and the more likely you are to experience hair loss.
As we have already learned, wet hair is very fragile. Therefore, it should be combed only with a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Minimizing the use of hair straighteners is also important if you want to keep your hair in good condition.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, using a helmet regularly can have a huge impact on the health of your hair, cause hair damage, or even worse, hair loss. Still, if you are a regular motorcycle rider and you’re therefore wearing a helmet a lot, try some of the methods listed above to reduce the risk of hair loss, and keep your hair as healthy as possible.