Chris Evans on Helmets and Having More Hair After Hair Loss Treatment

In the 1990s, Chris Evans - the UK TV and radio host, not the American actor best known for playing Captain America - used to have a great mop of red hair that became such a calling card, he named his production company 'Ginger' in tribute.

Fast forward a few years and, like many men, Evans started losing his hair to Male Pattern Baldness (something he has in common with The Avengers star).

Worried, he started using hair loss treatment and, although he says he has regained much of his hair, he is still concerned about the possibility of going bald.

Hair loss treatment drops

The 53 year old said he started using what he describes as hair loss "drops" to help him regrow his thinning hair, a few years ago.

Now, as his white-blond shock of hair is testament to, he has seen progress, saying during his Virgin Radio show, "I thought next week we should do a whole Bald Week special for blokes who are balding.

I've been on drops of these medications for years now, about five or six years. I was nearly bald and I'm not at all now. I don't have the thickest head of hair in the world but I do have hair now, more than I did."

The 'drops' he refers to is most likely high strength minoxidil; this is the only clinically-proven unisex hair loss treatment for male and female pattern baldness that comes in a topical form. The MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved hair loss solution is used locally to promote accelerated hair growth.

His fight to combat hair loss is something he has been characteristically open about, even talking candidly about it with Sir Elton John on his radio show - the singer having had his own well-documented hair loss problems.

'Does wearing a crash helmet make you go bald?'

As someone who has Male Pattern Baldness, a permanent genetic condition, Chris Evans says he constantly monitors his hair.

A particular concern the motorbike-riding former Top Gear presenter had was that wearing a crash helmet may affect this. The DJ told listeners how this led to an "embarrassing" incident where his wife caught him googling 'does wearing a crash helmet make you go bald'.

The host discussed the issue with his wife, and on-air team, who noted golfers often have thinning hair and wear caps a lot, so his worries about a crash helmet stemmed from this, saying:

"...watch Sky Sports golf on a Sunday evening or at the end of their round when they take their hat off - you'd be surprised by how little hair they have. Take that to a different level for a crash helmet because it's so tight. I wear one for three hours a day..."

According to Belgravia Senior Hair Loss Specialist, Leonora Doclis, Evans' has little to worry about in this regard: "Wearing a crash helmet is unlikely to cause hair loss; the type of shedding this could cause is Traction Alopecia - a condition whereby hair loss occurs due to frequent, excessive tension being placed on the follicles, causing them to become weak and hair to fall out.

We are unaware of any studies into its links to helmets or caps - balding golfers are more likely to reflect male society in general as Male Pattern Baldness is extremely common in adults, than hair loss caused by caps - however, it is not entirely unheard of.

That said, whether or not the helmet has been the sole cause of any hair loss in these cases has not been confirmed given these instances tend to be anecdotal. Traction Alopecia is more generally seen in people who repeatedly wear tight hairstyles, such as high ponytails, braids or dreadlocks. This aspect has been studied and proven.

In comparison, it is certainly rarely seen in those who regularly wear caps or helmets. However, if the helmet, or cap, is so tight that it causes headaches, it could potentially be an issue and should be mentioned during any consultation they may have to diagnose their hair loss problems."

Anyone concerned they may be losing their hair for any reason is best advised to have a specialist consultation in order to receive a professional diagnosis of their condition and appropriate recommendations for treatment, based on these findings as well as their age and medical profile. They are not, however, advised to stop wearing a crash helmet when necessary - safety first!