How to Shower with a Hair System (Without Ruining It)

If you wear a hair system, you probably already know it needs some special care — especially when it comes to showering. One of the most common questions new wearers ask is: “Can I shower every day with my hair system on?”

The answer is yes, you can. But you have to do it the right way.

People on Reddit who wear hair systems shared their daily routines and what actually works. Here’s a simple guide based on what they said — written in plain English, no salon jargon.

You Can Shower Every Day — But Keep the Water Cool

Most hair system users shower daily, and some even shower twice a day. That’s perfectly fine as long as you’re careful with the water temperature.

Hot water is the enemy.

It weakens the glue or tape that keeps your hair system in place, and it also dries out the hair itself. The hair in your system doesn’t produce natural oils, so heat can make it lose moisture fast.

Use cool or lukewarm water instead. It’s gentle on both the hair and the bond. Even people who live in places with hard water (like from a well or city water) say they still rinse their systems daily — the key is just to keep the temperature down.

Check out Can You Shower with a Toupee?

Don’t Shampoo Every Day

If you take away one thing from this article, make it this: don’t shampoo too often.

Almost everyone on Reddit agrees that shampooing your male hair system too often is a bad idea. Most people only shampoo once every six to eight days.

Why? Because shampoo strips away the oils and moisture your hair system desperately needs. Remember — this hair isn’t growing from your scalp. It’s not “alive.” Once it loses moisture, it becomes dry, stiff, and more likely to shed or break.

Instead of shampooing every day, rinse your hair with water and use conditioner. Water alone can wash away dust and sweat, and conditioner helps replace what the hair loses.

On shampoo days, choose a gentle, sulfate-free formula and avoid anything with alcohol. Regular shampoos are made for natural hair, not for hair systems, and can be too harsh.

Conditioner Is Your Best Friend

If there’s one product you should love, it’s conditioner. It keeps the hair smooth, soft, and easier to manage.

Here’s how to condition the right way:

Wet your hair with cool water.

Take a small amount of conditioner and rub it between your hands.

Tip your head forward so the hair falls naturally.

Gently apply the conditioner from the middle of the hair down to the ends. Avoid rubbing it into the base.

Let it sit for a few minutes — at least three.

Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

A lot of users say they condition daily or every other day. This keeps the hair shiny and helps prevent tangling.

Many also use a leave-in conditioner after showering. You spray it on damp hair and let it dry naturally. It’s especially useful if you live in a dry climate or use heating tools.

Popular choices mentioned include RemySoft and Walker Tape Leave-In Conditioner, but any brand made for hair systems will work.

How to Wash Your Hair System on Shampoo Days

Let’s talk about full wash days — the times you actually shampoo.

One Reddit user said he follows a simple Tuesday and Friday schedule. Here’s how a full wash looks, step by step:

Start with lukewarm water.

Apply a small amount of shampoo and massage gently — avoid the base area where the hair is attached.

Rinse and repeat once more if needed.

Apply conditioner right after.

Leave it on while you wash your body (about five minutes).

Rinse everything off together.

Finish with a detangler or leave-in conditioner.

That’s it. You don’t need ten products or complicated steps. Just remember: gentle is always better.

Be Careful When Drying

The drying step is where many people damage their hair systems without realizing it.

Never rub your hair with a towel. That rough motion causes tangles and can even loosen hair from the base. Instead, pat it dry gently with a soft towel.

After that, spray some leave-in conditioner on damp hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, starting from the ends and working up. Be patient — tugging or brushing wet hair too hard can cause shedding.

If possible, let your hair air dry. If you’re in a rush and need to use a blow dryer, set it to cool or low heat. High heat can weaken the bond and damage the hair cuticle.

If You Take Off Your System Before Showering

Some wearers prefer to remove their hair systems before showering, especially if they use tape instead of glue. That’s totally fine.

If you do that, wash your system separately and let it air dry on a mannequin head. This keeps it in good shape and makes rebonding easier.

If you want to shower without removing it, you can wear a shower cap to protect it from water, especially on days when you’re not planning to clean it.

Keep the Base Clean and Secure

When showering with your system on, avoid getting too much shampoo or conditioner on the base. These products can loosen the adhesive or make the knots slippery.

If you’re cleaning around your natural hair, it’s okay if a little shampoo touches the edge of the base — just don’t scrub it.

Once a very few weeks, remove your system (if you wear it semi-permanently) and clean the underside to remove any glue buildup or oils. Then reapply fresh adhesive for a strong bond.

Choose Products Wisely

The products you use make a big difference.

Avoid anything with alcohol, sulfates, or silicones. These ingredients dry out and damage the hair over time. Choose gentle, moisturizing products instead.

If your water is hard, use a shower filter — it helps remove minerals that make your hair feel dry or stiff.

A few users also mix a drop or two of argan oil or serum into their conditioner once a week for extra moisture. That can make your system look smooth and shiny again, but don’t overdo it — too much oil can make the hair greasy and heavy.

What to Do After Showering

Once you’re done washing and drying, you can style your hair like normal — just stay gentle.

Avoid tugging on the base when combing or brushing. If you use heat styling tools, keep the temperature under 180°C (350°F). Always apply a heat protectant first.

And remember: less styling is usually better. The more you pull, twist, or heat your hair, the shorter its lifespan.

What If Your Hair System Gets Wet Unexpectedly?

If you get caught in the rain or accidentally wet your hair system when you weren’t planning to, don’t stress.

Pat it dry with a towel, apply a little leave-in conditioner, and let it air dry. Once it’s completely dry, comb through it gently.

Your system won’t be damaged by a little water — just avoid hot water or rough drying.

How Often Should You Wash It?

Here’s a simple schedule based on what Reddit users shared:

Every day: Rinse with cool water. You can use conditioner most days.

Once or twice a week: Use shampoo. Deep condition afterward.

Every few weeks: If removable, clean the base and check for glue buildup.

If you’re using your hair system daily, this routine keeps it clean and fresh without wearing it out.

Why Moisture Matters So Much

Natural hair gets oil and moisture from your scalp. A hair system doesn’t. Once it’s cut from the donor, it stops producing any natural protection.

That’s why moisture care is everything. Without it, the hair becomes dry, brittle, and dull. It can also start to frizz or tangle easily.

Conditioning, using leave-ins, and protecting your hair from heat are how you keep it looking real. A dry system looks wig-like and stiff — a well-moisturized one moves naturally and feels soft to the touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few things most people do wrong when they first start wearing a system:

Using hot water in the shower.

Shampooing too often.

Rubbing the hair with a towel.

Skipping conditioner.

Using regular hair products with alcohol or sulfates.

Avoiding these small mistakes can make your hair system last months longer.

What Reddit Users Have Learned

A lot of the people who shared their routines on Reddit have been wearing systems for years. They all say the same thing: gentle care pays off.

One user said his system still looked soft and had very little shedding after three months — all because he conditioned it daily and skipped shampoo most of the time.

Another said he replaces his system every six weeks as part of a salon plan, but the hair always stays soft and natural-looking until the end.

So, if you take care of your hair system, it will take care of you.

The Simple Formula

At the end of the day, the perfect shower routine doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need expensive products or a long checklist. Just remember three things:

Cool water. Gentle products. Daily moisture.

That’s it.

With that, you can shower every day, look great, and keep your system lasting much longer.