Are you planning to travel for work or pleasure in the near future? If so, you’re probably already planning out exactly what you need to pack. You’re likely thinking about everything you’ll need for styling your hair. And you may have a few questions about what products you are allowed to bring on an airplane, either in your carry-on bag or checked luggage.
One of these questions may be: can you bring hairspray on a plane? Continue reading, and we’ll share everything you need to know about flying with hairspray!
Table of Contents
- Can You Bring Aerosols on a Plane?
- Can You Pack Aerosol Hairspray in Your Carry on Bag?
- Can You Pack Aerosol Hairspray in a Checked Bag?
- Non-Aerosol Hairspray and Flying
- Bringing Hairspray on a Plane: Know Before You Go
- FAQs
Can You Bring Aerosols on a Plane?
As you’re probably aware, many hairspray products come in an aerosol can. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has special rules regarding aerosols on planes because they can be flammable. Most aerosols are not allowed on planes because of this. However, there are exceptions to the rule in the case of toiletries and medical aerosols.
So, can you bring aerosol hairspray on a plane? The answer is yes. But the rules for bringing aerosols or liquid hairspray vary. This is based on whether you plan to pack it in your carry-on bag or checked luggage. There are some specific limits that you’ll want to be aware of. These make sure you don’t run into any issues when you’re traveling.
In the next few sections, we’ll take a look at what the TSA rules and regulations say about flying with hairspray in your luggage.
Can You Pack Aerosol Hairspray in Your Carry on Bag?
Can you bring hairspray on a plane carry on? When thinking about packing hairspray—either liquid or aerosol types—it is important to know that both of these product types are treated as liquids by the TSA.
When you’re traveling with liquids in your carry-on bag, the TSA has developed very clear rules that are enforced at all airports. Understanding these rules and what you’ll need to do will help you get through security at the airport without any issues.
TSA refers to their liquids rule as the 3-1-1 rule. According to this rule, you are only allowed to bring liquids, gels, aerosols, or pastes in 3.4-ounce (100 mL) or smaller containers. The containers for all of the liquids, gels, aerosols, or pastes that you’d like to bring must fit in a clear quart-size plastic Ziploc bag.
It is also important to note that the container itself cannot be larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there is less than 3.4 ounces of liquid in it. This means that if you have a 12-ounce container of hairspray that is mostly empty, it will still not be permitted on the plant. The TSA looks at the size of the container itself, not the amount of liquid inside of it.
Here is a quick recap of the 3-1-1 rule to help you make sure the hairspray you pack in your bag adheres to TSA requirements:
- 3.4-ounce containers
- 1 clear Ziploc quart-sized bag
- 1 bag per passenger
Can You Pack Aerosol Hairspray in a Checked Bag?
Yes, you can pack aerosol hairspray in your checked bag. However, once again, there are important rules you’ll want to be familiar with to avoid any problems.
When packing aerosol hairspray in your checked luggage, you are able to bring significantly more than the 3.4 ounces you’re limited to in a carry-on bag. You cannot just pack as much as you want, however.
According to the TSA, you can only pack containers of hairspray, or any other aerosols, that are 18 ounces or smaller. Fortunately, most hairspray cans are already smaller than this, so this requirement shouldn’t be too difficult to comply with.
The other part of the TSA’s rule regarding aerosol hairspray is that you cannot pack more than 70 ounces of aerosols in your checked luggage. This limit refers to any aerosols that you may be packing, not just hairspray.
It is unlikely that you’re planning on bringing this much hairspray along for a trip. But just in case you’re a hair stylist planning a big event or have other aerosols that you need to account for, it is good to know the rules.
Non-Aerosol Hairspray and Flying
Aerosol and non-aerosol hairspray are not treated the same by the TSA for checked luggage. If you want to pack a liquid or mist hairspray that isn’t in an aerosol can in your checked bag, you don’t need to worry about the 18-ounce limit or making sure you don’t pack less than 70 ounces.
If you’re bringing non-aerosol hairspray in your carry-on bag, however, the rules are the same as they are for aerosol products. Remember, all carry-on liquids must be in travel-size containers no larger than 3.4 ounces. Additionally, all of the liquids, pastes, aerosols, and gels that you wish to pack in your carry-on bag must fit in a quart-sized, clear, Ziploc bag.
Familiarize yourself with this 3-1-1 rule. It will make your life so much easier and answer any questions you may have about flying with liquids in the future.
Bringing Hairspray on a Plane: Know Before You Go
Traveling with hairspray is certainly doable. However, you just need to make sure you’re up-to-date on all the TSA regulations regarding flying with liquids or aerosols. Do you feel more confident about packing for your next trip?
Are you working out your plan to make sure your travel-size hairspray will fit in your liquids bag for your carry-on? Or do you think you’ll want to pack a full-size container in your checked bag?
Learn more about being prepared for travel with these related posts on our blog:
- How to Stay Glamorous While Traveling
- Best Air Travel Accessories
- 5 Best Reusable Items For Travelers On-the-go
- Awesome Tips to Pack for Your Upcoming Travel
- Can You Bring Spray Sunscreen on a Plane
- Can You Bring Powder Makeup on a Plane
- Traveling with Expensive Jewelry
FAQs
What size hairspray can you take on a plane?
If you want to pack hairspray – either liquid or aerosol – in your carry-on bag, it must not be in a container larger than 3.4 ounces. Additionally, the hairspray, along with any other liquids, gels, pastes, or aerosols, must be packed in a clear, quart-sized Ziploc bag.
For packing hairspray in a checked bag, the answer will vary depending on whether it is aerosol or liquid hairspray. The TSA does not have limits on the amount of liquid hairspray you can pack.
For aerosol hair spray, you cannot pack more than 70 ounces total. Additionally, none of the individual cans of hairspray can be larger than 18 ounces.
Can you bring mini hairspray on a plane?
If the mini hairspray is 3.4 ounces or smaller, then yes, it can be packed in your checked luggage (in a clear quart-size bag along with all your other liquids). If the can is larger than 3.4 ounces, it will have to go in your checked luggage.
Can you bring aerosol sunscreen on a plane?
The TSA rules for aerosol sunscreen are the same as the rules regarding other medical aerosols and toiletries.
When packing aerosol sunscreen in a carry-on bag, the sunscreen canister or container must be no larger than 3.4 ounces. You must also be able to fit the canister, along with all of your other liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols, in a clear, quart-sized Ziploc bag.
If you plan on bringing aerosol sunscreen in your checked bag, each individual container can be no larger than 18 ounces. Furthermore, you cannot have over 70 ounces of aerosols total in your checked luggage. So, for example, if you are planning to pack aerosol sunscreen and aerosol hairspray. Make sure that the total number of ounces packed does not exceed 70 ounces.
For cream-based, non-aerosol, sunscreens, the rules are the same for your carry-on bag. You may only bring a 3.4-ounce or smaller container of sunscreen in your liquids bag within your carry-on. However, the TSA does not have limits on the amount of cream sunscreen you can pack in your checked bag.
Will hairspray explode on a plane?
Plane cabins and luggage holds are pressurized and temperature-controlled. As high temperatures are what can cause an aerosol can to explode, flying with them shouldn’t be a risk.
Just remember, TSA regulations state that you can only bring a 3.4-ounce container (or smaller) of aerosol or liquid hairspray in your carry-on bag. Additionally, the container must fit in a quart-size Ziploc bag along with all of the other liquids or aerosols that you want to bring on the plane with you.
For checked luggage, you must not pack more than 70 ounces (or 68 fluid ounces) of hairspray in your suitcase. Additionally, you are not permitted to have any containers of hairspray with a capacity over 18 ounces (or 16 fluid ounces). Even if the total quantity of hairspray in the bag remains under 70 ounces.
Worried about an aerosol can of hairspray exploding? The most important thing is to make sure you don’t leave them in a hot car or an area where they’re getting direct sunlight.
