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Hair systems start with a section of netting called the foundation. The netting is cut and molded to approximate the size and shape of the bald scalp area in a custom-made hair system; it also can be more extensive in design, covering not only the bald area but also covering the existing hair around it to make the transition from hair system to normal hair more transparent.

Human hair is fragile and the oils, wax, and sebum that is meant to protect your living hair, becomes a liability for the hair system. The hair in a hairpiece can't replace itself as growing hair does and oils, wax, and sebum can't flow to the hair shaft because the foundation stands between your scalp and the artificial hair.

With a lessened ability to clean the scalp from sebum and oil buildup, the hair systems accumulate this buildup. This means that you need to wash the hair system to get rid of the oil and sebum buildup or replace the hair system at intervals that depend upon the quality of the system and your requirements for keeping your hair looking perfect - or just good enough becomes a problem.

Synthetic hair fibers aren't as susceptible to injury unless you wash the hair system too frequently, heat them (or perm them) to a temperature that melts or chemically alters the fibers, or use products on the system that aren't easily removed.

Some people choose to style their hair system with perming equipment, rollers, hot irons, and hair dryers. This styling opens up the hair system to damage just as the same processes do on a normal head of hair.

Setting up a cleaning schedule

Some types of hair systems are designed to be removed at night to allow you to wash your scalp and then reapply the hair system in the morning. When your scalp is cleared of the day's buildup of sebum and oils, the hair system will stay cleaner longer. Simple washing of the hair system doesn't remove skin cells, skin oils, shed hair, and other debris that accumulates in the foundation and in the hair fibers of your hair system.

Either you learn to clean your own hair system on a regular basis or you bring it in for service and cleaning to keep it clean and odor free. A spare is an absolute necessity, possibly two. For those people who use hair systems that are made to stay on the head for weeks at a time, there is no real viable option for keeping down the odor and removing the oils and sebum that builds up every day.

Cleaning/washing the hair system while it is still on your head is not a viable option for most people for two important reasons including:

1. The sebum and oils will stay below the foundation even if it is washed. Only the hair is really subject to washing.

2. The hair system that stays on your head after washing will remain wet for some time. Wearing a wet hair system is like wearing your wet towel without giving it the opportunity to dry. We all know the musty odor of a wet cloth that is confined to a closed space.

Cleaning your hair system with it off your head will allow you to get to the foundation and remove the oils and sebum, but if you scrub it too vigorously, you can destroy the hair system relatively easily. There is clearly some balance between washing and preserving the integrity of the hair system.

Drying it with a lukewarm hair dryer setting deals with that musty smell discussed earlier. The attachment mechanism for the hair system is critical. It is always best to be able to get the hair system off so attachments with tape may work well for this purpose.

For most wearers, the initial expense of owning more than one hair system is justified by the increased lifespan of the hair systems because they can be switched while being washed.