Most of what is written about hair systems covers the decision: whether to get one, which base to choose, what it costs. Very little covers what it is actually like to live with one once you have. This is that guide: the first ninety days, roughly week by week, based on what our clients go through at our Mortlake salon.

Before day one: the consultation

Everything starts with a confidential consultation. We look at your pattern of hair loss and the hair you still have, and ask about your life: work, sport, swimming, how much time you really spend on your hair in the morning. Then we match colour, density, curl and length to your own hair and choose a base and attachment method.

The single most useful thing you can do at this stage is be honest about your routine. A system chosen for the man you wish you were, who washes it gently every other day and never swims, will struggle on the man you actually are. We would rather plan for reality.

Day one: the fitting

On fitting day, the area the system will cover is closely shaved and cleaned so the bond has a good surface to hold. The system is bonded into place, and then comes the part that matters most: the cut-in. We cut the system into your own hair so there is no step between the two, the same way we would blend a fade.

Most men describe the moment they see it in the mirror as strange rather than instantly brilliant. You have spent years looking at a different face, and your brain needs a few days to catch up. That is completely normal.

Days one to three: leave it alone

The bond needs 24 to 48 hours to cure. During that time, avoid swimming, heavy exercise, saunas and very hot showers. Try not to fiddle with the hairline. Sleep normally; a satin or silk pillowcase helps reduce friction from the start.

Week one: the first wash

The first wash is the moment most men are nervous about. It is simpler than you think. Use lukewarm water, a gentle shampoo, and wash in the direction the hair falls rather than scrubbing in circles. Pat dry with a towel, don't rub, and dry the hairline fully.

This is also the week you stop checking the mirror every ten minutes. Around day five or six, most men notice that they have gone a whole morning without thinking about their hair. That is the moment it starts to feel like yours.

Weeks two to three: normal life

By now you should be back at the gym and swimming if you do. Wet your hair with clean water before getting into a pool so it absorbs less chlorine, and rinse and wash it afterwards. Sweat is fine, but it builds up under the base over time, which is what maintenance visits deal with.

This is also when the question of telling people usually comes up. Some men tell a partner or close friend early; others keep it private. There is no right answer, but most men tell us that telling someone close made daily life easier.

Weeks three to six: the first maintenance visit

Your first maintenance visit usually falls somewhere between three and six weeks, depending on the base and attachment. We remove the system, clean and exfoliate your scalp, clean the base and the hair, re-bond it and tidy the cut so it continues to blend as your own hair grows at the sides and back.

This visit is where small adjustments happen. Many men want the hairline softened slightly, the density taken down a touch, or the style changed now that they are used to it. That is exactly what the first maintenance visit is for.

Weeks six to twelve: finding your rhythm

By the second month you will have settled into a routine: washes at home, maintenance visits on a regular cycle, and a clear sense of how your system behaves in your life. You will also have a feel for how long your base is lasting, which helps us plan when the next system is needed. Many men keep a second system so one is always ready.

Two things cause most problems in this period, and both are avoidable. The first is stretching the gap between maintenance visits, which leads to lifting at the hairline and itching under the base. The second is washing too often or too roughly, which shortens the life of the hair. Book your next visit before you leave each time and the first problem never happens.

Day ninety: where most men land

By three months, a hair system is part of your routine rather than something you think about. The men who get there most comfortably are the ones who chose a system for the life they actually lead, kept to their maintenance schedule, and gave themselves the first week or two to adjust.

Start with a conversation

Hector's has fitted men's hair systems at 73 Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake SW14 since 2003. We also fit afro-textured hair systems for Black men, and can fit and maintain a system you already own. Book a confidential consultation and we will talk you through what your own first ninety days would look like.