Helmets are common and necessary in many sports and recreational activities, but helmets cause hair loss too. Designed to protect our brain and prevent injury, they are a great asset to people engaged in these activities, but over time, can do some damage to your hair.
Hair loss and helmets
There has been a lot of talk, backed by scientific evidence, that people who wear helmets or hats over a long period of time are likely to experience hair loss, even with no genetic probability of baldness. The condition is called “traction alopecia,” and it occurs when people put on helmets or caps repeatedly and allow the helmet to pull on the hairs and loosen the roots from the scalp. This condition is most common with athletes in sports like football, hockey and baseball, who often sport headgear nearly every day from little tykes through their collegiate or professional career.
Research has found there are two ways that helmets and caps affect hair loss. First, is the repeated use of helmets and caps themselves, and the second is bacteria that naturally gathers on the scalp surface, which can be exacerbated by helmet or cap use.
Helmets and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
Helmets are indispensable for safety, whether you're riding a bike, playing sports, or working in hazardous conditions. However, prolonged helmet use can inadvertently contribute to hair loss. Understanding how helmets affect hair health and taking proactive steps can help you protect your scalp while staying safe.
The Link Between Helmets and Hair Loss
Hair loss caused by helmet use is often linked to a condition called traction alopecia, which occurs when consistent pulling or tension damages hair follicles. Helmets that fit too tightly or are worn for extended periods can exert pressure on the scalp, leading to hair weakening and eventual loss. Athletes and professionals who regularly wear helmets are particularly susceptible to this condition.
Additionally, the interior of a helmet can trap sweat, dirt, and bacteria, creating an environment conducive to scalp infections and irritation. These factors can weaken hair follicles, hinder growth, and lead to hair thinning over time.
How Helmets Can Affect Scalp Health
- Friction: Helmets that rub against the scalp can cause physical irritation, weakening hair at the root. Repeated friction in the same areas may lead to patchy hair loss.
- Sweat and Humidity: Helmets trap heat and moisture, creating a warm environment ideal for bacterial and fungal growth. Over time, this can lead to dandruff, scalp inflammation, and reduced hair quality.
- Reduced Blood Circulation: A tightly fitted helmet may compress blood vessels in the scalp, limiting oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, which are essential for healthy hair growth.
Preventative Measures to Protect Your Hair
While helmets are crucial for safety, there are ways to minimize their impact on your hair:
- Choose the Right Fit: Select a helmet that fits snugly but not too tightly. Adjustable helmets can help distribute pressure evenly across the scalp.
- Use an Anti-Bacterial Cap or Liner: Wearing a moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial cap under your helmet can reduce friction, absorb sweat, and protect your scalp from direct contact with the helmet's interior.
- Keep Your Helmet Clean: Regularly wash your helmet lining and use anti-bacterial sprays to remove dirt and bacteria. A clean helmet minimizes the risk of scalp infections.
- Take Breaks: Whenever possible, remove your helmet during breaks to let your scalp breathe. This helps reduce prolonged exposure to heat and moisture.
- Practice Scalp Care: Incorporate scalp exfoliation and use clarifying shampoos to remove buildup. Follow up with a moisturizing conditioner to nourish your scalp and strengthen hair follicles.
Advanced Tips for Helmet-Related Hair Loss
If you’ve already noticed thinning hair or signs of traction alopecia, consider these additional steps:
- Massage Your Scalp: Gentle scalp massages with essential oils like rosemary or tea tree can stimulate blood circulation and promote follicle health.
- Switch Helmet Styles: Alternate between different helmet designs to avoid repetitive friction on the same areas of the scalp.
- Consult a Specialist: If hair loss becomes noticeable, seek advice from a dermatologist or hair restoration expert. Early intervention can help prevent further damage and support regrowth.
Why would helmets cause hair loss?
Often, helmet use is for sports or recreational activities outdoors in the elements. Whether you are riding dirt bikes, playing football or baseball, or enjoying a day on a beach, your cap or helmet gathers sweat from your head, dirt and other foreign matter from the environment and keeps those pollutants near your scalp until you take it off. While you may wash your hair and scalp, it is not uncommon to forget to wash your helmet or cap with regularity. Every time you wear a helmet or cap without washing, the bacteria that was there has a greater chance to spread. Not surprisingly, this bacteria then infects your scalp, increasing the chance of stunted hair growth and ultimately resulting in hair loss.
Beyond bacteria, wearing a helmet regularly can also create a humid and warm environment on your scalp. This trapped moisture can lead to the overgrowth of fungi, such as Malassezia, which is a common contributor to dandruff and other scalp issues. Left untreated, these conditions can weaken hair follicles, reducing their ability to produce healthy hair. Over time, this can exacerbate hair thinning and contribute to more significant hair loss, especially if proper scalp care is neglected.
Another factor to consider is the physical friction caused by wearing a helmet. Helmets that fit too tightly or are worn for extended periods can cause repeated rubbing against the scalp and hair strands. This friction can lead to traction alopecia, a condition where consistent pulling or tension on the hair weakens the follicle and causes hair to fall out. While this type of hair loss is often reversible, persistent friction without intervention can result in more permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Lastly, helmets may indirectly contribute to hair loss by affecting circulation. Tight-fitting helmets can compress blood vessels in the scalp, reducing blood flow and depriving hair follicles of essential nutrients and oxygen. Healthy circulation is crucial for hair growth, and when it's compromised, hair follicles may enter a dormant phase or become damaged over time. Ensuring a proper fit for your helmet and taking regular breaks from wearing it can help minimize this risk.
Hats or Helmets: Do they cause Hair loss?
As hairs get pulled by a hat or helmet, eventually follicles aren’t able to anchor into the scalp and fall away over time.
One suggestion to combat hair loss is to spray an anti-bacterial solution inside the helmet or cap and let it dry thoroughly, or give it a complete wipe-down with anti-bacterial cloths or towels between wears. The idea is to eliminate dirt, sweat and any other pollutants from getting into your scalp; this is because your scalp is similar to your skin in that it has pores or holes where the hair grows, and those pores have to be clean in order to keep the hair growing.
It is commonly recommended that people do not put their helmet or cap directly on the head, using an anti-bacterial cap under the helmet or cap.
Another proactive approach to prevent hair loss from wearing hats or helmets is ensuring they fit properly. Helmets or caps that are too tight can create excessive tension on the hair and scalp, increasing the risk of traction alopecia. Over time, this constant pulling can weaken the hair roots, making it more difficult for hair to grow back. Choosing a helmet or hat with an adjustable fit and wearing it in a way that doesn’t apply unnecessary pressure to your scalp can help reduce this risk.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy scalp environment is crucial when wearing hats or helmets regularly. Incorporating a scalp-care routine, such as using gentle, clarifying shampoos and exfoliating scrubs, can help remove any buildup caused by sweat and pollutants. Pairing this with a moisturizing conditioner can further nourish the scalp and strengthen the hair follicles, making them more resilient to external stressors.
Finally, consider giving your scalp breaks throughout the day. If possible, take off your helmet or hat during intervals to allow your scalp to breathe and reduce prolonged exposure to moisture and heat. Frequent breaks can also prevent the buildup of bacteria and fungi, which thrive in warm, damp environments. For individuals who must wear helmets or hats for extended periods, these small adjustments can make a significant difference in maintaining scalp health and preventing hair loss.
How to stop hair from thinning and traction alopecia
Don’t want to buy products? That’s okay. There is a process called “jigging,” which can help prevent traction alopecia.
This process is simply putting on the helmet or cap, raising it slightly off the scalp, then lowering it, repeating this process until you feel all the hairs falling free of the helmet. As you first do this process, you can feel the hairs being pulled as the helmet rests on your head. As you continue to lift and reset, you will feel some of those hairs come “loose” from the helmet and fall back onto your scalp. Doing this every time you put on a helmet or cap will help mitigate hair loss if it has already started, and will help prevent it from starting if it hasn’t.
In addition to jigging, being mindful of how you wear and adjust your helmet or cap can significantly impact hair health. For example, when securing a helmet, avoid tightening the straps excessively, as this can create unnecessary tension on your scalp and hairline. Loosening the straps slightly while ensuring a snug but comfortable fit can reduce pulling on the hair and minimize the risk of traction alopecia.
If you frequently wear helmets or caps, consider rotating between different types of headgear. Alternating styles can distribute pressure more evenly across your scalp, reducing repetitive strain on specific areas. Additionally, choosing headgear made from breathable materials can prevent excessive sweating and reduce the risk of scalp irritation, both of which contribute to hair thinning over time.
For individuals already experiencing traction alopecia, it’s essential to give your scalp time to recover. Avoid wearing headgear for extended periods, and use this time to focus on scalp care. Massaging the scalp gently with nourishing oils, such as coconut or argan oil, can improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, promoting growth and strengthening existing hair. Pairing this with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients, particularly biotin, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, can further support hair health and recovery.
Lastly, if traction alopecia or thinning hair becomes severe, consulting a dermatologist or hair restoration specialist can provide tailored advice. Professionals can recommend treatments like low-level laser therapy, topical solutions, or even non-invasive procedures that address hair loss and encourage regrowth. By taking a proactive approach, you can maintain healthy hair and prevent the long-term effects of traction alopecia.
Conclusion: Balancing Safety and Hair Health
While helmets and hats are essential for safety and protection, they can unintentionally contribute to hair loss if not used or maintained properly. Understanding the impact of tension, bacteria, and scalp health on hair loss empowers you to take proactive steps to protect your hair. By adopting simple habits like jigging, maintaining clean headgear, and practicing scalp care, you can mitigate the risks of thinning hair and traction alopecia.
However, if you’re already noticing signs of hair thinning or baldness, it’s essential to act promptly. Hair loss can significantly impact your confidence and self-esteem, but you don’t have to face it alone. At RESTORE® Hair, we specialize in advanced hair restoration techniques, including our innovative RESTORE® No-Shave FUE™ procedure, designed to provide natural-looking, lasting results with minimal downtime.
Our expert team, led by Dr. James Harris, understands the emotional and physical challenges of hair loss. We are here to help you reclaim not only your hair but also your confidence. A personalized consultation at RESTORE can guide you toward the best solution for your unique needs, whether you’re looking to address early signs of thinning or advanced stages of hair loss.
Don’t wait to take control of your hair health. Schedule your free consultation at RESTORE today and take the first step toward a fuller, more confident you. With RESTORE, you can protect your hair’s future while embracing proven solutions to restore what’s been lost.