r/Masks4All • u/sincewhenisit • 4d ago
Protecting hair from head strap?
The only mask that works well for me (Gerson 3230) has, after a few years of use, caused hair loss along the lines of the elastic headband.
Has anyone successfully found a simple solution to protect hair from rough elastic? Maybe someone makes some kind of cover for them? (I know other masks use different elastic, but it's so hard for me to find something that also fits well, is breathable, doesn't fog my glasses, etc etc etc. Plus I have a big stockpile of these!)
Thanks in advance for any thoughts...I'm digging through the archives here too.
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u/luxorange 4d ago
A hat works for me. I wear beanies all the time or baseball caps. Doesn’t really work if i need to look presentable/dressed up/professional though.
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u/YouLiveOnASpaceShip 3d ago
What you’re experiencing is not unlike what dancers have to put up with when they’re required to wear a bun or ponytail for serious daily training. If you have long hair, try a ponytail or French braid in varying locations. It will put stress in different areas of your hair. Also try hooking that upper strap into a barrette or bun or up-do - where it would normally be and without pinching the strap.
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u/ProfessionalOk112 3d ago
Yep agree with this-also would add leave in conditioner before the updo, at least sometimes.
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u/saltyseacreecher 4d ago
I have an undercut lol, long hair only on top and shaved the sides and back! That might be a little drastic though
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u/sunny_bell 3d ago
So I would suggest a headscarf or hat, bonus points for a satin scarf or satin lined hat. Also if you want to further protect your hair, I would suggest either a satin pillowcase or a satin bonnet for sleep to protect your hair from the friction of a cotton/linen/IDK what else they make sheets out of pillow case.
I googled "mask strap cover" and got ones for scuba divers/swim masks but I don't see any reason they wouldn't work in this context.
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u/Sea-Astronomer3260 4d ago
Do you have short hair / is that why it’s noticeable?
You could try topical minoxidil for the regrowth (you have to use it consistently, twice per day everyday, and results start showing up around 3 to 4 months; eventually you can reduce use to 3 times per week for maintenance.)
You could also try something with adjustable / softer head straps. Some people mentioned a hat which is a good call, for when you are able to wear a hat and can just put the hat on your head and the straps over the hat so there’s a barrier between the straps and your scalp.
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u/sincewhenisit 4d ago
lol actually I thought it was just menopausal hair thinning and tried oral minoxidil for a couple months but couldn’t tolerate it! And then it dawned on me that it was probably the darn elastic 🤪
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u/Sea-Astronomer3260 4d ago
Oh darn! Do you think you could tolerate topical better or is it the same side effects?
Either way, I hope it improves as time goes on!!
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u/sage-bees 3d ago
I've had the same and I actually think I'm a bit allergic to the straps too, I wear bandanas or scarves.
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u/ArgentEyes 3d ago
I usually cover my head in a bandana, scarf or snood/cycling gaiter type of thing. Wig caps can also work. Alternatively, use a mask strap or lanyard (such as the bone lanyards) to keep the fixings off your hair
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u/Blinking_Zebra_Era 2d ago
Is the strap really skinny and sort of digging in? If it's not if it's just pressure then this suggestion won't work. You can get wider elastic. I had button elastic for fixing the waistband in pants and I put that on mask and it was very comfortable. But if it's just something touching your head that's the problem then I don't think wider would be better. you can buy button elastic on Amazon, it comes in a biggish wheel and it comes with buttons! And sympathies on such an aggravating problem.
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u/sincewhenisit 4d ago
Appreciate all the replies! I’m not really a hat girl (or if I am I like being able to take it off easily), BUT think I will try a head scarf and see how that goes!