The hair in any hair system will eventually begin to shed, but the quality of the hair and of the hair system itself will determine how long before this happens. Human hair is a porous, dead material, so it won't last forever. It will eventually break, or the knots in the base may unravel and the hair will come out of your hair system. But good hair systems last much longer than bad hair systems.

A good hair replacement system should use high quality, delicately processed human hair. Some say that virgin hair is best, but this is not necessarily true. Virgin hair, also known as remy hair, may have a nicer texture and retain its color longer, however, it will tangle very quickly and cause a much greater level of hair loss. A good hair replacement system should be ventilated with only 1 - 2 strands of hair at a time, as the smaller knot is much less likely to unravel.

NOTE: Synthetic hair does not absorb water, makes a small knot, and is far more durable than human hair. Depending on the wearer's lifestyle, this may be a better option.