Why Does My Wig Look Flat Coming Out of the Box?

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Why Does My Wig Look Flat Coming Out of the Box?

An example of a wig with cold crimp

What Causes Wigs to Come Out of the Box Flat?

You are excited to receive your new wig. However, when you take it out of the box, you may be concerned that it looks differently than its online picture. The wig may look “flat” or has kinks in the fiber. There are a few terms in the wig industry that define this: "box hair," "cold crimp" and “cold set.” A wig develops cold set during storage or shipping where fluctuations in temperature can alter the fibers' shape. Thus, the wig may have warped areas or bumps that you didn’t expect.

Before you write off your wig completely, there are some steps you can take to get rid of a wig’s cold set to get the hairstyle you originally fell in love with. Read on to discover how you can fix a wig’s cold set with water and a wide tooth comb.

How to Remove Cold Set from Wigs

Take your wig out of the box. Check to see if it has any kinks or bends in the fiber.

Gently shake out your wig. This will help “wake up” the hair fibers and fluff out the wig.

Get a spray bottle and fill it with warm water. Mist your wig. The water will help relax the hair fibers.

Comb the hair gently with a wide tooth comb to help remove the cold set and tangles.

Allow your wig to air dry.

If your wig is heat friendly, you can also use heat tools to smooth out any unwanted crimps.

If those cold crimps are difficult to remove, you can also use a wig steamer. Take your wide tooth comb to smooth the hair and follow it with the steamer hose. Give the fiber time to air dry and cool into the desired shape.

Enjoy your new wig!

Tips for Trying on Your Wig

Carefully remove your wig from its package and inspect it. Keep in mind that the wig has been in a box, so shake it out to get a good look.

Put on a wig cap (or liner) and try on your new style to make sure it’s the right fit for you. Try not to touch or pull on the lace front (if it has one).

Check the color in different lightings, such as outdoor lighting, indoor lighting, etc. Observe how the color tone changes in different environments.

Final Thoughts

While it's not unusual for wigs to come out of the box looking flat and have cold set, it’s important to remember you can smooth out the kinks with a wide tooth comb, water, and maybe even with heat tools if the fibers are heat friendly. With care and time, you can restore your wig to look like the hairstyle you want.

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