With the BW forums shutting down and the BSN Legacy website in jeopardy I found a way to hide helmets in ME2 without the loss of stats. You can see how to do this on Nexusmods and save it for later.
Somewhere between ME1 and ME3 the hide helmet option was lost. I have found it!
Before we begin you must have Notepad++ for editing purposes. While I have provided my own .ini file for your use, it is best if you know what is going on. Please download here:
https://notepad-plus-plus.org/
You also need the ME2.ini Fixer. BSN Lebacy will be down at some point but alternate download has been found
here. This is a mediafire file, I have safely downloaded it and scanned it. Put the file into your Mass Effect 2- Biogame-Config-PC-Cooked folder.
Next you need to add in modified "binkw32.ddl" files- You can find them here (safe on github) .Copy paste to your Binaries folder, say yes to overwrite
https://github.com/E...seffect-binkw32
BACK UP YOUR .INI FILE. If you do not do this you should not be modding your game

Backing up is #1 for all modding.
For Non-DLC Armor
Open up your Coalesced.ini file Location: Mass Effect 2\Biogame\Config\PC\Cooked\
CTRL+ F to find [SFXGame.SFXPain_Player
Scroll to HelmetAppearances
Ignore ID0- that is no helmet
There are ID=1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Inside each line is Mesh=(Male="BIOG_HMM_HGR_SHP_R.SHPd.HMM_HGR_SHPd_MDL",Female="BIOG_HMF_HGR_SHP_R.SHPd.HMF_HGR_SHPd_MDL") Or other such modifiers. Delete the lines.
Save your file and run the ME2Ini Fixer.
Now you can wear your helm with the right stats but it will not be in the way.
For DLC Kestral Armor:
DLC armor does not require the ME2 ini fixer.
Go into your folder, like DLC_CER_02. That is the Kestral Armor. Locate the BIOGame.ini File. Under the HelmetAppearance, delete the Mesh= part of the line. Voila! Now you have the Kestral helm but you can see properly. I have also included this file in the download if you want a simple drag and drop.
As far as I know, the other DLC armors are ALL ONE PIECE and the helmets cannot be taken off. There is not much I can do about that sorry

Notes: Some helms have a "Darth Vader" voice coming out of them and you might here that when talking to people.
Edit: clarified new bink .dlls for modified DLCs