Alright, I've read through probably a hundred threads on this topic so you don't have to. Here's the honest version.

There's no single right answer - but there IS a very common mistake: washing too often. Most guys coming from bio hair are used to washing every day or every other day, and they bring that habit to their system. Don't.

Here's what the community has largely agreed on over time:

• If you're not super active: once a week is plenty. Some guys go even longer.
• If you hit the gym regularly and sweat a lot: a quick cool water rinse after workouts is fine, but save the actual shampoo for 1-2x per week max.
• If you're wearing full bond (glue all around): you're probably re-installing weekly anyway, so that's your natural wash point.

Why does frequency matter so much? Because your system's hair is dead - there are no oil glands keeping it moisturized. Every single wash strips a little more moisture away. Wash too often and you'll be wondering why your unit looks fried after four weeks.

The sweet spot most experienced wearers land on is every 5-7 days. Pair that with a leave-in conditioner and cool water, and your unit will thank you.

Drop your own routine in the comments - always curious what's working for people.

https://preview.redd.it/ejnhff41j9wg1.jpg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=531e491984b41a0053b29984af0578c66ced667b

When cutting a new lace base, the front of the hairsystem is the green line. I need more lace in the temple area, is there any reason not to cut at the blue line provided the lace reaches the back?

Curious what you’re all using for your day-to-day hair system maintenance. Shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, tapes, glue… whatever’s been working for you.

Would be awesome if you could share:

what products you use

how often you clean/reinstall

anything that helped your system last longer or look more natural

There’s a ton of generic advice out there, but real routines from actual wearers are way more helpful.

Drop your go-to setups below - might help someone else avoid a lot of trial and error!

General Care and Cleaning

• Regular Removal and Cleaning: It's crucial to remove, clean, and reapply your hair system regularly. Most users do this every 7 to 14 days. "You need to take it off to clean it, condition it, re-tape it, and reattach it. I do mine about every 10 days, but some guys do it more frequently and some keep it on for longer."
• Use Clarifying Shampoo: This helps remove buildup from silicones and other products that can weigh down the hair. "Using clarifying shampoo to get the silicons off, leaving the hair exposed so it can absorb moisture."
• Avoid Aggressive Scrubbing: Be gentle when washing and styling to avoid damaging the system. "I stopped treating every base and every glue the same, got a lot more careful with removal instead of just slapping more adhesive on top."

Adhesive and Application

• Choose the Right Adhesive: Different hair systems and skin types require different adhesives. Experiment to find what works best for you. "Your body chemistry doesn’t work with the adhesive you’re using, you have to use a different tape."
• Proper Application: Ensure the scalp is clean and dry before applying adhesive. Use a scalp protector if you have sensitive skin. "First, I get every bit of old adhesive off my head — not just the obvious stuff. I use a bit of solvent and a fine nit comb on my scalp to gently remove residue."
• Check for Sliding: If your system starts to slide, reapply adhesive immediately to prevent it from coming off completely. "Three days after installing it, the tape glue came off, and I woke up bald with my hair next to my pillow."

Hydration and Styling

• Use Leave-In Conditioner: This helps keep the hair soft and manageable. "I just got certified and was told to style the systems with leave in conditioner."
• Apply Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil: These can help retain moisture and improve the hair's texture. "I started using Hyaluronic Acid serum with my damp hair, which allows moisture to penetrate the hair."
• Avoid Excessive Heat: High temperatures can dry out the hair and damage the system. "Clarifying shampoo once a week, leave in conditioner daily… do not forget a sunscreen spray."

Lifestyle Adjustments

• Protect During Physical Activity: Wear a headband or use a strong adhesive if you sweat a lot. "I have a slob do it all for me. She uses glue all over top of head after shaving it then puts hair on. It has never come off - even after swimming."
• Sleep with a Satin Cap: This reduces friction and helps prolong the life of your hair system. "When I sleep, I use a satin head cap. They are like 3 for 10 on amazon. Increases the longevity of the system by literal months."
• Be Mindful of Water Activities: While some systems can get wet, it's best to take precautions. "How reliable are hair systems? Can you get them wet? Do you need to worry about it coming off?"

Cost and Maintenance Time

• DIY Maintenance: Doing your own maintenance can save a lot of money. "I started ordering directly, found the same suppliers everyone here uses. Cost came down massively."
• Regular Haircuts: You'll need to get your bio hair cut regularly to blend with the system. "I get my sides and back faded once every two weeks."
• Total Time Commitment: Maintenance can take from 20 minutes to 2 hours per week, depending on your routine. "Takes me 1.5h every 7 days."

Hey everyone, welcome to r/HairSystemCare!

There are only a handful of communities talking about hair systems in general - but barely any that focus specifically on hair system care.

That’s why I created this space. A place dedicated to the day-to-day side of wearing a system - maintenance, cleaning, and making it look as natural as possible.

Here, you can ask questions about:

• Which tapes or liquid adhesives work best for different lifestyles
• How to properly clean a lace or poly base without damaging it
• The best shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in products to keep the hair soft
• Tips for achieving an undetectable hairline

Before you post, please read our community rules in the sidebar.

Let’s build a helpful and supportive library of knowledge together.

1. I call it a wig. “Hair system” makes it sound like I’m installing Windows.

2. The hardest part by far was getting the shade right. That took about 8 months.

3. One of the biggest barriers to entry was how overwhelming it all felt at first. Bases, shades, curl patterns, tape, glue, methods, maintenance. Too much nonsense when you’re starting out.

4. That’s partly why I stuck with Lordhair. Their site is the simplest I’ve used, the quality is strong, and delivery is quick.

5. This is not a plug for Lordhair. I’ve also used Superhairpieces, but found the whole process a bit clunky.

6. I wear the 0.03 poly UTS from Lordhair, and for me it gives the best, most undetectable hairline.

7. I’m all about speed and ease, so poly UTS suits me best. Tape is too much faff for my liking.

8. My routine is simple: quick layer of glue on the scalp, a tiny bit on the unit, done.

9. Fitting it takes me about 10 minutes. Realistically, 95% of that is just waiting for the glue to dry and pretending I’m busy.

10. Cleaning the base usually takes me 10 to 15 minutes.

11. I normally give it a proper clean and reapply about once a week.

12. For cleaning, I spray a bit of C22 on the poly base, dab it with cotton wool, wipe that away with a wet wipe, then go over it again with shampoo in the shower.

13. It took me about 5 attempts before I felt confident doing the full clean-and-reapply process myself.

14. My units usually last about 3 to 4 months.

15. They cost me roughly £160 each including precut, base cut and delivery.

16. Lordhair’s precuts are actually surprisingly decent.

17. My girlfriend usually snips a bit here and there afterwards to help with blending.

18. To blend it well with your own hair and actually have styling options, grow your natural hair to at least 2 inches.

19. I used to get fades, and they do look good, but topping them up every month got old fast.

20. I’m growing my hair out more now because it makes life easier.

21. A silk bonnet at night really helps stop that dry, split-end, frizzy mess at the back.

22. Buy a Tangle Teezer brush. Just do it.

23. I shower in it, sleep in it, run in it, and go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. I haven’t had to change my lifestyle at all.

24. Mine usually stays on solidly for about a week before I redo it.

25. Friends and family think it looks great, which is about as much praise as any man gets for his hair.

26. Don’t overthink the “I’m wearing a wig” part. Men and women have been modifying their appearance forever. Make-up, extensions, weaves, tattoos, clothes. It’s all the same game.

27. Yes, there’s still a bit more stigma for men, but honestly, who cares. It’s just hair.

28. Worst case, you try it and look daft. Best case, you look and feel better and wonder why you waited so long.

29. I think I look good with or without one, but like most bald blokes, I look better with hair.

30. I’d also just got bored of having the exact same look for 15 years.

31. One genuinely useful feature on Lordhair now is the AI preview for precuts. It can be hit or miss, but being able to roughly see the style before committing is still handy.

32. Overall, once you get past the learning curve, it becomes very normal very quickly. Much less dramatic than people imagine.