If the product you are using does not have an expiration date listed, most expire 1 … Expiration date: So of course this is the most obvious reason. expiration dates on perms. These dates are offered as a rough guideline. This can cause confusion for consumers who are wondering if old hair dye still works and is safe to use. Hair dye products don’t typically have expiration dates on their package. It’s not mandatory to have such labeling for the cosmetic products which shelf life exceeds 30 months. Thread starter ... how do expiration dates read? For example if it says 140917 the manufacture date is Sept 17, 2014. A product’s shelf life really depends on the ingredients and preservatives it contains. Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple has compiled a guide to expiration dates. Hair products are not required to have an expiration date by the FDA. The government does not regulate expiration dates on hair dye. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) The shelf life, or expiration date, of a cosmetic or personal care product is the period during which the manufacturer has determined a product to be best suited for use. ugh! Also, avoid storing products near heating sources like radiators, or near dryer vents and water heaters. There are a few factors affecting the life cycle of your hair and beauty products and here’s a quick guide to know how long your products will last and how to best look after them. Unopened hair dye products stored in manufacturer-recommended conditions have a very long shelf life. Not all products have an expiration date listed, but many products do such as Shea moisture products. Most of such products should not be harmful even after the expiration; but they can change smell, color, texture or simply become useless. However, the current thinking is that if the bottle is not opened, up to three years from purchased. The shelf lives of most products depend upon how you treat them. Hi @Julie_23 The date codes on the bottles are when the product was manufactured, not an expiration date. Unused cosmetics also lose their freshness and become dry. i have bought a box of perm that reads 2 4 0 3 15 when does it mean the perm expires? Check the packaging. bellydancer New Member. The most common periods of suitability for use from the date of manufacture: Such products can no longer meet safety requirements as soon as expiry date has been passed. Read on to find out whether or not your favorites are due for a replacement. If you live in a house without central heat and air, you may find that your hair products will deteriorate in the Summer months. However, once the product is opened and exposed to air and light, it should be used according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Most professional products have an expiration date or similar “Use-By” indicator on the container. According to EU law, the manufacturer has to put the expiration date only on cosmetics whose shelf life is less than 30 months. There are no regulations or requirements under current U.S. laws that require cosmetic manufacturers to print expiration dates on the labels of cosmetic products. Production date. Yes beauty products do have an expiry date once they’re open but hair products have a very long shelf life. why cant they just make the dates normal! If opened, usually usable for 1 and 1/2 years. Hair Care Tips & Product Review Discussion . There are 2 codes on the bottom, I think one is a batch code (not real sure on that) but the date code is kinda backwards. Hair care products should be stored in a cool, dry place.