Does hairspray expire? Can I use a hairspray I’ve had for some time?

 

Although it sounds unbelievable, hairspray is one of the few products that doesn’t expire. You can have it just for show in the back of your bathroom medicine cabinet, and when the time comes for you to use it for a special occasion, it’ll be at the ready like a boy scout.

 The only thing that can make hairspray go bad is extreme temperature, whether too cold or too hot. 

Have you had the same can of hairspray for a long time now?

 

You only need to shake it and spray it on your hair. It will do what you want it to, just as it did when you first bought it.

I’m serious, it doesn’t have an expiration date, stop looking for it. Even though it’s law to put expiration dates on most products, hairspray is one of the few that are excluded.

Have you ever heard the saying, “there is an exception to every rule”?

 

Well, hairspray is that exception.

But even though it doesn’t expire, there are a few things you need to keep in mind so that it doesn’t go bad.

So if you’re giving the side-eye to that spray you have in your bathroom, stay with me, because I’ll tell you:

 

 

How to properly store hairspray

Now that you know hairspray doesn’t expire, you can breathe easy since you know it won’t have any adverse effects on your hair – especially if you haven’t used it for a while.

But there are a few things that can make the product go bad, such as where you store it, or if the nozzle doesn’t work.

 

Extreme heat is also very dangerous for hairspray as it can cause it to explode. After all, like any other aerosol, it contains gases which create the spray effect.

 

Any extreme heat makes these gases emit vapors, producing a chemical reaction that can eventually make the container explode. And if the explosion occurs when you’re close to the container, it can hurt you.

That’s why it’s fundamental that you store your spray in well-ventilated areas out of direct sunlight.

What about very low temperatures, what happens then?

 

This hair care product contains gases that make the chemicals in the spray stick to the hair. When you shake the container before using it, the gas mixes with the product.

And when you spray it, the gas transports drops of chemical in the form of a mist to hold your hair in place. This is what should happen if the spray is functioning correctly.

 

The chemical that allows you to style your hair will be stiff, almost solid, and when you want to use it, only gas will come out.

 This is why you need to keep the spray bottle away from the cold and heat. 

So, then what’s the ideal temperature for storing it?

 

Anywhere far from stoves and windows that are in the shade and airy will allow your spray to stay intact. And it will last you for years.

It will be a little like the character from Wilde’s novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” who stays young forever. Well, in the case of your spray, it will be usable forever.

 

How to know if that spray you’ve had for a long time still works

Now, the spray nozzle must work correctly. Because if it doesn’t, even if the product isn’t expired, it won’t work at all for you.

How can you know if the spray nozzle doesn’t work well?

 

And what do you do when something isn’t good or doesn’t work anymore? You throw it out. It’s that simple. Do that in any of these three situations.

 

For a hairspray to work perfectly, it shouldn’t lose product, meaning it shouldn’t drip.

On top of that, it should have the consistency of a mist, so if it comes out as a liquid, don’t use it, since that spray has gone bad.

And the mist should be constant, because if it’s not, it won’t hold your style right.

 

All of these problems indicate that the valve in charge of making the gas and liquid product into aerosol is not working correctly.

That’s why the only solution is replacing the old spray with a new one and storing it properly.

 

How to correctly use hairspray

The truth is that hairspray is a product that is only used on very specific occasions.

For example, holding that updo you want to keep in place and impeccable throughout an event, even if you’re dancing like you just don’t care.

Or even if you apply it to simpler styles, you can make sure that your hair doesn’t move for hours.

But do you know how to use it the right way?

 

Because there is even a technique for using hairspray to make sure it does want you want it to do.

The right way to apply it has three steps:

What happens if you touch your hair after recently applying hairspray?

 

Simple, you’ll flatten your hair and it won’t look so good. That’s why if you’re looking to give your style some volume, you should wait until the spray dries and not touch your hair.

 

Conclusions

Hairspray doesn’t have an expiration date, which is why you can use it with no worries even if you’ve had it for a long time.

Including if you’ve gone years without using it.

The only thing that can happen is that the spray becomes unusable, meaning the valve stops working.

In that case, you should replace it. Remember that if you’re going to toss it, aerosols are recyclable, so make sure you put it in the right recycling bin.