Help centre · Practical guide
Complete hair system maintenance guide
A steady, gentle routine is what keeps a system looking natural and lasting its full lifespan. There is no complicated regimen — wash on a regular schedule, clean the base at each reattachment, handle the hair carefully, and store the system properly between wears. This guide pulls the whole routine together.
A weekly rhythm
Most wearers settle into a simple weekly pattern: wash the hair one to two times a week with sulfate-free products, clean adhesive residue from the base at each reattachment, and reattach on a schedule set by the adhesive — roughly one to two weeks for tape, three to six for liquid. Keeping a steady rhythm protects both the hair and the bond.
Washing and conditioning
Use sulfate-free shampoo and a light conditioner, applying conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots or base. Let water flow back from the hairline, avoid very hot water, and never comb the hair while it is wet. Pat dry and let the system air-dry where possible.
Reattachment and base care
Clean adhesive residue from the base every time you remove the system, before it hardens. A smooth skin base wipes clean quickly; lace and mono need a gentler touch. A clean base gives a more reliable bond and a longer life.
Storage and rotation
Store the system flat or on a mannequin head in a protective case, never folded. Keeping two or more units in rotation lets one rest and dry while the other is worn, which extends the life of both and means you are never caught without a system.
Products to use and avoid
Choose gentle, sulfate-free, water-based products. Avoid sulfates, alcohol-heavy formulas, heavy oils near the base, frequent high heat, and acetone removers on lace. Lightweight, water-based styling products give hold without buildup.
Important constraints
- Never comb the hair when wet, and minimize heat.
- Keep conditioner and heavy products off the base and bonded edges.
- Clean residue at every removal to protect the base.
- Rotation and gentle handling are the biggest levers on lifespan.
When to contact us
If your hair is tangling, the bond is failing, or a system is wearing out faster than expected, contact us with your routine and products and we will help you adjust it.
Related articles
- How to clean and wash your hair system
- How long hair systems last and when to replace them
- How to remove a hair system safely
- Adhesives, tapes, and removers: safety and selection
- Sleeping, showering, swimming, and exercise with a hair system
- What products should I avoid?
FAQ
How often should I wash my system? One to two times a week with sulfate-free products is right for most wearers.
What extends a system's life the most? Gentle handling, sulfate-free products, cleaning the base at each removal, and keeping units in rotation.
Agent-safe answer
Routine: wash 1–2x/week sulfate-free; condition mid-lengths/ends not base; never comb wet; minimize heat; clean base residue at every removal; store flat/on mannequin in a case, never folded; rotate 2+ units. Avoid sulfates, alcohol, heavy oils near base, high heat, acetone on lace. Rotation + gentle handling drive lifespan.
Source notes
Spine from retained Help Center maintenance content and maintenance/longevity blog masters. Routine described generically; no product-specific claims invented.