How to Prevent Hair Loss From a Motorcycle Helmet

If you're wearing your motorcycle helmet too tight, you are inviting hair loss. Regularly wearing the helmet too tight can cause physical trauma to the scalp. Over time, the repeated rubbing of the helmet against the hair-line irritates the shafts and some hairs eventually fall out. Hair loss can also be a reaction to the foam liner inside the motorcycle helmet, which is made out of polysurene and soaks up hair's natural moisture and oils, drying it out.

Things You'll Need

• Leave-in hair conditioner

Instructions

1. Wear a scarf or helmet liner under your motorcycle helmet to protect your hair. A scarf or helmet liner will help prevent your hair from drying out as a result of the helmet's moisture-absorbing foam liner, and keep the natural oils of your hair sealed in. Helmet liners are available at motorcycle supply stores and on the Internet.

2. Find a motorcycle helmet that fits correctly. The helmet should fit slightly snug so it remains stable while you shake your head.

3. Before removing your motorcycle helmet, check for any hairs caught around the edges or under the strap, and free them first. Always lift the motorcycle helmet off your head gently, without pulling or tugging, to avoid pulling out some of your hairs along with it.

4. Moisturize your hair with a leave-in conditioner before putting on your motorocycle helmet. Massage the leave-in conditioner into your hair and scalp. Keeping your hair well-moisturized will help protect it from dryness and damage while wearing a motorcycle helmet.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply shea butter into your hair before going to sleep, as an overnight conditioner.

• See a physician if you continue to experience hair loss.

References

• Hairdoc: Common Causes for Hair Loss
• Motorcyclecruiser: How to Buy a Motorcycle Helmet
• Bicyclehelmetsafetyinstitute: Hair and Helmets

Resources

• What is Traction Alopecia?