Last Update: 7 July 2023
Maintaining your hair while wearing a helmet can be quite a challenge. The constant tugging and removal of the motorcycle helmet can wreak havoc on your hair. However, there are ways to protect your hair and minimise damage and one popular effective solution is to secure your hair in a ponytail. This will prevent hair from painful and damaging tangles. Despite this precaution, your hair remains exposed to external elements such as wind, dirt, dust, and the sun’s rays. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of the strain your hair endures during your rides and take proper care to avoid hair loss and further breakage. To help you navigate this situation, here’s your ultimate ponytail hair care survival guide!
Not Too Tight
Every time you pull your helmet over your head – you yank on the delicate hairs at the front and side of the scalp. These strands are the most susceptible to damage by traction (pulling) and over time, can fall out. This hair loss is temporary—but only at first. If you ride a lot and wear a pony tail, and too tightly, even in the same spot on your head, you put yourself at risk of permanent loss around the hairline. As many women experience with cornrows and weaves, constant traction can cause inflammation around the hair follicle, which can eventually damage the follicle itself and rob it of the ability to regrow new hair. And if your ponytail feels too tight, it probably is. And, too much tugging on your scalp irritates nerves and can even cause headaches – and you thought it was your helmet!
Vary the Location
It’s a good idea to vary up the location of your ponytail. Wear it to the front, or to the side to keep from abusing the same hairs in the same way, over and over. Even if you don’t damage the hair at the roots, you can break the shafts where your helmet fastener rests.
Ponytail Holders
As far as what kinds of ponytail holders to use, the most important thing is to have a fabric covering over the rubber of your rubber band. This will decrease snags. If the elastic becomes exposed, throw it out and use a new one. Flat ribbon elastics are popular and might benefit your hair by distributing the tension more than traditional hair ties. You can also purchase fashionable leather hair wrapping tubes but these may take some time to put on.
Another excellent method is a skull cap or moisture-wicking beanie before you put your helmet on. These provide excellent protection when taking your helmet off or putting it on and result in less tugging. These liners insulate your hair from your helmet inner shell materials, which can also be rough on your hair.
Help Your Hair Handle The Ride with Good Nutrition
Hair grows about ¼ to ½ inch every month and the foundation of all new hair growth is reflected in the nutrients that we eat. There are many foods that stimulate hair growth by providing your body with key nutrients.
For maximum hair growth and health. Eat more beans, leafy, green vegetables, and nuts—all foods that have vitamins and minerals to enhance your hair. When it comes to healthy hair, what we put IN our bodies is just as important as what we put ON our hair.
Great Foods For Strong, Healthy Hair
- Salmon – is one of the best foods for healthy hair. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which protect the scalp drying as well as Vitamin B-12 and iron. Vegetarians can add 2 tablespoon of chia seed or flax seed into their foods to get omega-fatty acids from plant sources.
- Carrots – are rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A is ideal for maintaining a healthy scalp and great for our eyes! Added bonus.
- Walnuts – nuts are a tasty snack and great for beautiful hair. One nut in particular, the Brazil nut, is a great source of selenium. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts such as cashews and almonds and have a high zinc content. Zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss.
- Eggs – are an excellent source of high biological protein, biotin and vitamin B-12, all elements important in maintaining healthy hair. Unlike some food, preparation of eggs does not seem to make a difference – the benefits are the same so enjoy scrambled, hard boiled or over-easy any time of the day!
- Beans – are full of protein. Protein is important for healthy hair growth. Beans are also rich in iron, zinc and biotin. Biotin deficiency causes brittle hair.
- Green Leaf Vegetables – dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli are high in vitamin A and C, which are necessary for the production of sebum, making them excellent foods for healthy hair. Sebum is an oily substance secreted by hair follicles and is essential for the natural hair growth and shine.
- Milk – milk and milk products are high in calcium and protein. Calcium is an important mineral that stimulates hair growth. Shoot for 3 servings per day to provide your body with around 1000mg of calcium. Aim for low-fat or fat-free yogurt, milk, cheese and sour cream.
- Oysters -are an excellent source of zinc. Beef, lamb, nuts and whole grains are other foods that also contain zinc for healthy hair. Bonus – zinc is an immune booster.
- Durum – (wheat) is high in protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins. Commercial bread and breakfast cereals contain vitamins and minerals essential to maintaining healthy hair.
- Poultry – lean turkey and chicken are high in protein. Lack of protein can cause loss of hair colour. Eating chicken may help prevent the loss of hair colour and can help keep hair strong.
Remember, by following these tips and being mindful of your hair’s health, you can enjoy your rides while keeping your hair looking fabulous and damage-free.
4 comments
Not sure what you mean by “once the hair is braided it loses its look”. I would say the French plait/braid is the ideal solution under a helmet and is an elegant look off the bike; a ponytail leaving hair ends flapping in the wind for hours is just a mess, especially on longer hair.
Hola Motarde. What we mean is…. braids cause wavy ripples in hair so it’s difficult to let your hair down (so to speak :) ) after wearing braids of any style.
Course, it does depend on the hair type. And indeed a braid is awesome to wear when riding…especially longer hair. Thanks for joining in the conversation!
Ashley for MOTORESS
Fantastic ideas! It can also help to use spray on leave in conditioner before hand and when you get to your destination. If you discover that some of your hair has escaped and is now impersonating a bird’s nest, you can gently disentangle it without ripping it out of your head.
Great tips Liz!