Headcovering for amusement park / water activities for teen boy

My 15 year old son has alopecia areata.  His hair is very patchy on his scalp and he wears a hat all the time.  My concern is water activities and amusement parks for the summer.  He tried a traditional swim cap for the pool but doesn't like it.  He wears a baseball cap all the time.  But he's worried it won't stay on on amusement park rides like rollercoasters.  He does not want to go with his head uncovered, he's very firm on that, and does not want to shave his head.

Any guys, or moms of teen guys, found a good option?  I was thinking of trying a skull cap, or maybe a bandana, but don't know if they would stay on.  I don't think attaching with tape would work since he still has quite a lot of hair (some left plus some regrowth.)

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Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on June 9, 2014 at 12:37am

This is a difficult one.  From what I know of Amusement Parks hats are not permitted on rides...which can be very upsetting for those that have alopecia and prefer hat wearing.  So, I think the first thing I would do is ring a couple of amusement parks and see what their policies are around hat wearing.  Once you know what they will allow you can then talk to your son about what can and can't happen with regards to his hat.  

If he doesn't like the traditional cap I really don't know what else is available for a young man.  Have a look through the site called Hats with hair.  Aimee from this site has found them great to swim in...just not sure if they make an option for a young man. 

Bandanas and do rags/buffs may be a great option...if tied on tightly they don't move even when swimming.  My daughter (when she first lost her hair use to wear them for swimming and they didn't budge).  You could also sew in the wig clip into the bandana for extra security.  This will attach to his growing hair.  

Good luck with everything.

Rosy

Permalink Reply by CathyJean on June 10, 2014 at 9:07am

Thanks Rosy.  The amusement parks and waterparks around here (Six Flags, Schlitterbahn) do allow hats on rides, but anything with a brim won't always stay on.  We went to Six Flags Friday and he rode one fairly mild rollercoaster (not inverted), turned his baseball cap backward and held on to it.  It stayed on OK in the pool and most of the water rides, came off during one head first waterslide, but he grabbed it and didn't lose it.  We'll go again in a few weeks, and he's going again with youth group in July.  I don't want him to miss out on the fun because he's worried about losing his hat.

I hadn't thought about sewing clips inside a bandana or do rag, that's a good idea.  You see motorcycle riders wearing a do rag here (no helmets required), on the highway going 65-75.  So if they stay on there they ought to stay on during a rollercoaster, I would think.  Clips inside would be extra security for the ones that twist and flip upside down.

Thanks,

Cathy

Permalink Reply by CathyJean on June 10, 2014 at 11:11am

I found a motorcycle shop with do rags with a full head sweatband sewn inside with a non-slip silicone strip.  We're ordering one to try, and I'll sew in clips if I need to for extra security (thanks for that idea.)  One testimonial on the site is from someone who wears them scuba diving, so they should be fine in the water. 

Here's the website - https://www.tawgear.com/store/Headwraps-DoRags/

Cathy

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on June 10, 2014 at 4:22pm

Hi Cathy 

Sounds perfect for him....have a great summer!

Rosy

Permalink Reply by mardy on June 10, 2014 at 8:17pm

Headcovers.com  has a hat that's called CoolMax exercise cap for men .. it has diff colors kind of a kool looking hat .. it's a nice site I buy my makeup from there.. they offer lots of things for hairloss.... I would post a pic but the site won't let me..

Permalink Reply by michelle on June 10, 2014 at 9:59pm

Try BUFFS.  They are like do rag type of head wrap.  These are ideal for exercise....guys wear them so youth will feel in style...tons of patterns.  They also have material made especially with sunscreen.  I use them when I run..great for absorbing sweat.  They range from $22 - $40 Canadian.

Michelle

Permalink Reply by Gail on June 10, 2014 at 11:12pm

I went to a sporting good store and bought a swim cap made from material (spandex, I think - not the rubber swim cap) and I sewed one of my bandanas to it.  I am a coaster fanatic (front car only :) ) and it stayed on...just a thought.  Worked really well for me.

At the time, I still had some hair left and I sewed a few wig clips in too.  Not sure how he would feel about the clips, but they would not be seen from outside the bandana.  Just a thought...hope it works out

Permalink Reply by CathyJean on July 24, 2014 at 8:30am

Just a report back - the do-rag from tawgear.com which I linked above worked great.  My son went to Six Flags with the church youth group this week and wore it and rode the big rollercoasters with no problem.  For $16.99 I think we found a great solution.

Permalink Reply by Rose Marie' on July 25, 2014 at 2:18am

Sounds perfect!!!! 

Rosy

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