How Short Can I Go With System Hair?

[NYCHairGuy]

I've just started researching the possibility of a system over the last few days, so apologies up front if this seems like a silly question to the more experienced folks.

So I've been looking at loads of before/after photos of guys' systems, and it seems like a fair number of them choose medium or longer lengths. But when I had hair I always preferred fairly short haircuts. Just felt it was more "me," you know? Plus I'm 52, so I'm pretty sure longer hair would seem a little unnatural on me, not to mention being something that I wouldn't choose even if I still had my natural hair. It occurred to me that that if the hair on the piece is too short, one might be able to see the underlying base. Would that be an accurate assumption? And if so, how short one of these can safely be cut without risking giving away that it's a piece?

 

[Noah]

Once you get below half-an-inch you have to get the system perfectly in position - there's no room for error. Also visible knotting can be an issue at that length - if you have dark hair the bleaching has to be perfect. I would say theee-quarters-of-an-inch is the optimal for day to day wear if you are putting your system on yourself, especially as a newbie. If you are a movie star with a hairdresser to help you can easily go shorter.