DougG

I've been thinking of getting a new roadie helmet for next year that will be lighter and better-vented than the MTB-oriented helmet that I've been wearing. But then I started thinking of the possible effect of the sun through those vents on my bare scalp.

There is nothing more painful than a sunburned scalp, and I am rarely outside without a cap on sunny days. And the only thing I could think of that could be worse than a sunburned scalp would be a scalp that is sunburned with a helmet-vent pattern! I guess I could use sunblock, but putting sunblock on my head also doesn't sound too appealing.

Is this a valid concern? Anyone else have any experience in this area?

Digital Gee

While not follicly challenged, I do wear my hair short, so I can relate. I started wearing a skull cap under my helmet to protect my dome from the sun, which at first felt funny but now feels so normal I never ride without it. Plus, if I fall and there is some skull damage, the cap will keep my brains in place a little longer.

buelito

HEADSWEATS or the generic equivalent worn under the helmet... have been doing it for years

train safe-

bcoppola

And there's always the cotton bandana, aka "do-rag".

But having a lush, thick head of hair myself I wouldn't know about your situation.

head_wind

On my first day with a high-zoot helmet, in the late afternoon, I cast a shadow with holes in it. (Yea, yea, yea, mostly from the helmet!) I have to wear a beanie and I have come to prefer it.

leob1

Not me personally but, my nephew who had a job as a bicycle police officer, was required to wear a helmet, and he shaved his head. His head had the pattern of the vent holes burned into his scalp, it was quite funny looking. So yes you are right to be concerned. Try sunscreen.

Nightshade

+10000 on Headsweats. I'm not bald but I wear them whenever I work outside or ride. Great product!!

sauerwald

I have a tan where the vent holes are - it can be prevented by wearing a cap or do-rag under the helmet.

DO NOT use sunscreen, when you sweat, the sweat will carry the sunscreen down into your eyes and it will hurt like he**.

stapfam

try night riding?

I am getting a less hair to cover the bald patch- but I do not find sun a problem. I keep moving around and the sun does not hit in one place long enough to cause a problem- Except for the back of the neck and this is where the bandana worn at the back of the helmet comes in.

BluesDawg

Headsweats or just a bandana folded into a triangle and tied behind the head. Works great. Keep the bandana wet and the evaporation cools your head on a hot day.

Metric Man

Wasn't it already determined in another thread that helmets are useless?

Oh yeah, doo rag.

KenP

I'm folicly challenged also, and had never worn a bicycle helmet in my life until got the Trek 4500 this spring. LBS had sale running so picked up a helmet and looked in mirror to check fit. Oh, oh bare skin, thats not gonna be good, plus looks wierd. Can't see me wearing a rag on my head. May sound silly, but I took gray landscape cloth and cut banana shaped pieces to fit in the gaps, and hot glued in place. Air flows thru nicely, but no rays, and no bugs. Real cheap, easy and from the outside looks all same color as helmet.

SemperFi

+1

DnvrFox

+2

Mojo Slim

+1 on no sunscreen above the eyes. It hurts. Being follically challenged myself, I have a light weight headsweat, a heavier "do rag" )actually for motorcycles) and a bike hat. I rotate them. Never leave home without one. Besides sun protection, there is sweat management.

oilman_15106

Look in Wally marts hunting department. They had a camo thing like the Headsweats thing for less than 2 bucks. Works just fine. You can buy 10 of em for the price of one Headseats thing.

BluesDawg

Cut the psuedo-PC nonsense. We're not follicaly challenged or however you spell it, we're bald.

KenP

Can't be. If I'm bald, why the hell do I still have to pay 10$ for a haircut??

DnvrFox

$10

Around here it is $12 (plus a very expected tip), and I bought my own clippers and said to heck with the barbershop. And I do it myself.

GreenRiver

Bull Frog quick gel spf 36. My bald cabeza aint been burned yet , and the sun is brutal around these parts.

NextLevelMentor

I've opted to go with a Windcheetah Recumbent Racing Trike so I am both very low to the ground and only really feeling the need for a helmet on long high speed mountain decents. I go helmentless other wise and just do sun screen on days where I'm in the saddle heading in one direction for over 2 hours at a time. You would think some helmet company would make a helmet series that takes in all of its air at the forhead area and vents at the back at the bottom of the skull for this purpose. I can't see a Do Rag as climbing with one or riding in 100 + degree temps would be miserable to fatal insulating ones head like that I would think. Plus my skull is so wide that the only helmets I have found that will fit it (and then only with the thinnest pads they make for it is the Bell's. Forget Giro or any of the skinny head Euro brands.

Metric Man

You know, with a bike like that you could just put a roof on it.

greywolf

My hair is grey/blonde , the sun bleaches my hair through the vents in the helmet, & my daughter (a hairdresser) recons it looks like I've had a budget high-light job done !

spry

That elastic camo mesh at Wallymart can also be placed over your helmet as sun and bug protection.
This will give you a middle age,no nonsense,urban commando type look while protecting that Q-ball from the rays.The image may develope a profound respect of right-of-way for you when riding near auto,s.
Besides,I heard they are coming out with camo spandex riding shorts this spring.