We often hear from new hair wearers who are concerned about daily life in a hair system, and are wondering what they can and can’t do while wearing hair. The most common concerns relate to high-intensity activities like exercise and skydiving, as well as questions about getting the system wet when showering or swimming. Rest assured, the uneasiness and doubt over the security of your system is completely natural.

The good news is, after you begin wearing hair, you’ll still be able to do most — if not all — of the things you enjoyed doing before wearing hair! As you become accustomed to life in a hair system, your fears will melt away, and you’ll learn exactly what your system can handle and what your limitations are.

Most common questions

New hair wearers typically have doubts and worries about how well a hair system will stay attached during the activities of everyday life. Truthfully, if hair systems didn’t stay attached during an amusement park trip or a morning workout, no one would wear hair. As you live in your hair system, you’ll begin to trust that it’s going to stay on, and you’ll have a better understanding of when you need to be vigilant.

Because of these concerns, we get many questions each day about what can and can’t be done in a hair system. Here are some common concerns:

• Swimming - Yes, you can absolutely swim in your system. However, salt water and chlorine are very harsh, so proper steps should be taken to protect your hair from damage prior to entering the water.
• Gym - If you do an intense workout every day, heavy perspiration will break down your bond faster, which only means you’ll need to reattach more frequently. However, if you work out occasionally or don’t sweat much, it’s likely you won’t see a significant difference in the duration of your bond.
• Shower - Yes, you can shower! Keep in mind that you shouldn’t get your system wet for 24 hours after attaching, and follow best practices when shampooing your hair.
• Sex - If your system is attached properly, you have nothing to worry about. You just may want to tell your partner you don’t prefer hair pulling, if it comes to that.
• Roller coasters and skydiving - With a proper attachment and a strong bond, flying through the air at high speeds is perfectly fine.
• Hats and helmets - Hats cause friction, which can cause breakage and premature shedding of hair. Wool knit caps and hard hats are usually the most damaging, but there are some hats that don’t cause as much friction. Read our article to learn how to mitigate this concern.

What to be aware of

Although there is very little you can’t do in a hair system, it’s important to be aware that some things can present a limitation.

Attachment method and duration

Your attachment method largely determines your limitations. If you attach with a daily adhesive or clips, it is best to avoid activities that are rough on your hair, like diving head-first into a pool or riding a high-speed roller coaster. Strong adhesives that offer a long-term hold allow you much more security. There is very little you won’t be able to do.

Rise in body temperature

An intense workout, sitting outside on a hot day, or taking a sauna are all activities that raise your body temperature. When your body temperature rises, your bond begins to soften, and the hair system begins to loosen. This doesn’t mean you can’t be outside on a hot day, but it does mean you could fairly easily pull the system off when it’s very hot, especially if it’s a new bond of less than 48 hours. Just be careful and use your best judgement.

Chlorinated and salt water

As mentioned previously, chlorine and salt water are both very damaging to the hair itself. They can easily cause drying, matting, tangling and breakage. That doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming in your system. It just means you need to be careful and protect your hair before you swim.

Oxidation

When you spend a lot of time outdoors, the sun’s UV rays can cause the hair in your system to take on a warm, reddish hue. This process is called oxidation, and is damaging to your hair. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t go outside! Always be sure to use a product with UV protection on your hair, and consider wearing a hat, scarf, or bandana if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

The takeaway

The most important thing to recognize is that your life won’t be drastically altered when you begin wearing hair. The purpose of a hair system is to give you the confidence to do all the things you want to do.

Don’t let any of the limitations discussed here scare you. As long as you use sound judgment and follow best practices when caring for your hair, wearing hair will be a positive and gratifying experience that adds fullness to your life.