gerv 

Because I ride everywhere I need to go, I often end up at some concert, class or other event and suddenly realize that my hair has gone rather vertical.

To counter this, I now wear a cap under my helmet, even in summer. But it often isn't a great solution either.

Anyone have any helmet hair tips?

Machka 

Grow your hair hip length, and wear it in a braid.

Jim from Boston

I have short hair, but long enough to be parted, and to suffer from helmet hair. I too wear a cap, a somewhat loose-fitting, paper surgical-scrub type cap, and also I use a water soluble hair gel (J. Crew Firm Hold). After a ride, my hair brushes out pretty well, without ridges, and helmet hair would be otherwise duly noted.

BTW, hair gel should be applied after washing, while the hair is still wet. For years I resisted using a gel, thinking they were greasy, like the Brylcreem of my youth, but not so. The only time I go out without hair gel is on the way to the barbershop for a haircut, so he can work with my natural contours.

kookaburra1701

+1. Or make it into a bun. I used to use LA Looks Maximum Hold Sport Strength hair gel on my bun, and my hair was never out of place, no matter how windy/hot/rainy the ride was.

Blue_Bulldog

I used to not have this issue because I wore my hair short. Now that I've grown it out into an undercut (before Marcel Kittel did!!) it's become a thing.

The girl who used to cut my hair said to use a wax, and I was using this Garnier thing called "Surfer Hair" or something. It worked because when I popped my helmet off and had the tri-hawk going on, I was able to just throw hands through hair and it went back to kind of near where it used to be. The problem was that at the end of the day my hair felt greasy and nasty and heavy. Hated it.

I switched to a lighter gel and like Jim up there in Boston said, I put it on when my hair is wet. Makes it so that I can just flick it back to where it was and no goopy feeling.

It also gives me a chance to look super cool when I dismount, take my helmet off, and casually flip my hair off to the side. <--- sarcasm

The other weird thing... trying to inconspicuously find something reflective to look into to make sure I don't go into the Dr's office or grocery store with a helmet tri-hawk. I found that pretending to answer a text message while opening my Camera app and using the front facing camera as a mirror works. A lot easier than being all obvious and using a window or glass door.

enigmaT120

My hair gets wet with sweat on my morning commute, helmet or not. So I carry a brush/comb thing and comb it before I get on the bus, and it dries looking OK.

Even when it's below freezing I sweat that much.

Walter S

I've lost almost all of my hair. The part on my head anyway. I think the hair is descending my body. When I have hairy feet the end may be near. I'm usually sad about the loss. I had a great head of hair. It helps a little to know that I don't have the problem of keeping my hair looking right!

So my tip would be "try going bald".

Dave Cutter

Forty years ago I kept my hair shoulder length and wore it in a pony tail much of the time. More recently I've found a completely different solution... and have replaced the pony tail with sunscreen.

+1

Roody

Don't wear a helmet.

linnefaulk

Military cut?

Machka 

I have thought that if I were to ever cut my hair, I'd cut it really, really short ... so short helmet hair wouldn't be an issue.

gerv 

That's a valid point. If I never wore a helmet, the state of my hair today would be the least of my concerns. In fact I would probably have no concerns right now.
(I mean considering the two times I've landed on my head...)

Johnny Mullet

With a sweet Mullet like mine, who needs a helmet...................

I-Like-To-Bike

Who wudda thunk it, eh? So simple, yet effective.

Good advice.

bulevardi

Don't bike ?

bulevardi

"I put on my wig again, to cover the helmet imprints after I put off my helmet." would do the trick.

I used to have short hair before and had that compulsive helmet imprint syndrome too.
But since my hair grew until my shoulders, it lies flat, and don't have any other hairdisorder issues anymore.

More on Helmet Hair, in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...lmet-hair.html

Machka 

jade408

I have relaxed, chin length hair. So I get both helmet hair, and then if I get sweaty, my hair also gets frizzy/messy. And clearly I am not going to bring a flat iron. Combing doesn't do anything either once the frizz starts. The best solution I have found is using a satiny headband to keep things in place and to protect the ends. Still experimenting. And a little bit of extra moisturizer at the ends to keep it neater.

Artkansas 

I tried that, but my hair is so fine that they would all break and I'd have a halo of hairs around my head.

So I went for a buzz cut 1/4" long, but I still get helmet head.

wolfchild

I have a military style high and tight haircut and I also wear a bandana or a cycling cap everyday, so no problem with helmet hair.

gerv 

Yes exactly... no matter how short I get it cut, my hair does a nasty spike on the front.

Several posters have recommended some gel product... would this really work?

gerv 

yes!

Roody

Yeah. Get a mousse or gel. Towel dry your hair and work in a little of the product. Comb your hair and be sure to let it dry thoroughly. If it gets a little messed up, just comb it again with a damp comb.

Anybody need any other beauty tips?

zeppinger

When just commuting around town I often dont wear a helmet but this sometimes does not result in good looking hair either I usually carry some kind of bag or backpack with me wherever I ride and I will sometimes put a hat in there that I can throw on after the ride. This hat is great because it folds, looks pretty normal, and can be put in your front pocket.

Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap |Men's Headwear | BackcountryGear.com

Most of the time, I can fix my hair with a little water from a bathroom sink and my hands, should I care enough to do so.

wahoonc

Ball cap

Aaron