BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I thought you meant you were going to shave while biking. You would definately need an electric razor for that. I'm sorry you have this problem. It's never been an issue for me. I shave every 6 days but I never had any irritation from riding.

I'v never had irritation from a helmet strap. If I did, I would probably stop wearing a helmet.

Mick wrote:

I’v never had irritation from a helmet strap. If I did, I would probably stop wearing a helmet.

Same here. My skin is terrible, but I've never had more problems under the strap than anywhere else. Maybe try cleaning the strap itself with soapy water, cut back on the grime being rubbed into your skin?

You may have developed an allergy to something in the strap or even the strap material itself. Try using a different helmet to see if it makes a difference.

Both suggestions are good ones. I was just reading a blog about leather helmet straps that are easier to clean and more hygienic. I clean my straps every few months I'm surprised how much dirt comes out of them.

No helmet, no problem. Are you shaving after you shower? That was the key for me as far as having a perfectly smooth face.

I rinse my helmet just about every day in the summer. I just put it under the faucet in the kitchen sink, then press on the pads to get most of the water out, I don't remove them. Then I hang it on a hook on the covered side porch & its usually dry in a few hours. I mostly do this to get all that salt from sweating out of it & preventing it from getting smelly.

^ I also suggest shaving IN the shower & shaving every day. I find this to be the best way to avoid ingrown hairs and irritation.

Shaving is dumb.

I've had the problem of developing a huge zit right under the strap, but more often with a lot of motorcycle riding than bicycling. I never did figure out a cause-and-effect relationship since it's so sporadic. Could be soap, could be tightness, could be the heaviness of the larger helmet, could be the ambient air temperature, could be how well I shaved ... and on and on. Too many variables. However it happens, it's not serious enough of a problem that it keeps me from riding.

This makes me realize that my helmet is gross and should probably be cleaned at some point.

stefb wrote:This makes me realize that my helmet is gross and should probably be cleaned at some point.

This makes me realize that I should be wearing my chinstrap waaay tighter... I wear mine so loosely that it doesn't even come close to my jaw.

Marko82 wrote:^ I also suggest shaving IN the shower & shaving every day. I find this to be the best way to avoid ingrown hairs and irritation.

This is the true truth. Shaving in the shower works really well. You've just got to make sure you do any vision-necessary shaving (trimming sideburns, etc. etc) outside of the shower. @cburch That may explain why I haven't shaved yet this year.

I’ve had the problem of developing a huge zit right under the strap . . . I never did figure out a cause-and-effect relationship since it’s so sporadic. This has been pretty much my experience.

Hmm... Still experimenting myself. Do you guys shave with multiple passes or just one? I read somewhere to shave with the grain, perpendicular to the grain, and finally against the grain. Seems to be less irritated if I just do one pass, which is usually perpendicular the grain. Try multiple passes yesterday, and paid for it today with a burning sensation around my chinstrap the entire way in. Might help if I wet the helmet before hand because then the helmet strap isn't just absorbing sweat

Just some tips that I learned in the Navy where daily shaving was mandatory: The less blades, the better... a double bladed razor is better than a triple. Electric if possible, but, it takes time to adjust to it. There are two types of electric razor. Rotary will work better for longer hairs and irregular shaving. The Braun style is better for everyday use. To prevent ingrown hairs, take an old toothbrush and rub your skin with it (with the bristle) in the areas where ingrown hair is common. It's best to shave with open pores, such as during or immediately after a shower. Stick with one pass, if possible... the more passes you make, the more irritation. Use aftershave. It's not necessary to use harsh alcohol... a home made mix using witch-hazel or tea-tree-leaf-oil can be effective. Personally, I use a 50/50 mix of water and tea oil.

i break out with acne under my jaw if i do too much helmeted riding. always have. i only wear my helmet sporadically for that reason. i don't mind it at all otherwise. maybe i should try washing the straps after every ride. that doesn't sound very appealing though.

I don't always shave, but when I do, I use a single bladed safety razor and plain lathered soap. I never really notice any issues. Usually, I just let my beard grow and it keeps the straps from directly touching my skin.

Benzo wrote:I do, I use a single bladed safety razor and plain lathered soap. I never really notice any issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quzIZ5dQWho https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0oVmfHMEo :)

@mikhail, this is my weapon of choice. I don't use it every day, but I did used it just this morning. (HTFU)

I usually shave after showering (when I do shave, which until this week, has been seldom), yesterday tried doing it in the shower, which worked out okay, but is a little harder because the mirror isn't as good Also use a single blade safety razor Been using my (vegan) soap brush more aggressively before and after to help with any ingrown hairs Been sticking with one pass, no burning on the ride in today I think another good trick seems to be to pre-wet the helmet straps that go under my chin. My guess is it helps desalinize the sweat that would normally be absorbed by the helmet or more sweat just drips off because the strap is already saturated

@ Pierce, Have you tried any kind of padding on the strap? Maybe a piece of soft leather, or synthetic chamois (the kind used for drying cars)? Just a thought.