thank you for the replies. I feel like a high school junior obsessing before the prom, but come on I am an adult (of am legally one).

I can't ditch the helmet. I used to babysit kids and would not let them go out without a helmet. Now what kind of adult would I be if I went without one?

I think I am going to try the benzoyl peroxide or the alcohol first. I like the thought of killing bacteria! (speaking from the perspective of a biologist) If that doesn't work I will try the do rag method. it just seems that it might make my hot ride even hotter.