I have had mine for two years now. Besides taking the usual precautions such as showering with scentfree soap and clean clothes. I run mine through the dryer ever four or five days of use. I will say that the first year was great and had several deer downwind without getting busted once. Seems that the more you use it the less effective it is. After two years I have concluded that there is not much help from it as I have been busted 3 times already, including last night by a doe being chased by a young buck. As far as breath control that is covered by a mask that is of the same material.