If you’re traveling and want your hair to look your best, you’ll be pleased to know that you can bring hair gel on a plane in both your carry-on bags and checked bags.
The only thing to keep in mind is that if bringing hair gel in your carry on, the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml.
TSA have something called the 3-1-1 Rule, which stands for 3 ounces, 1 passenger, 1 quart-sized bag.
What this means is that each passenger is allowed to travel with a container of hair gel in their carry-on bag, just as long as it is no larger than 3.4 ounces and is placed in a 1 quart-sized resalable bag.
If your hair gel container is larger than 3.4 ounces and for whatever reason you don’t want to pack it in your checked bags, many popular brands sell mini-sized, travel-friendly containers designed for when you fly.
Bringing Hair Gel in Checked Bags
Many passengers often have no choice but to pack their hair gel in their checked bags because the container exceeds 3.4oz/100 ml.
While you might not be able to keep your hair looking sharp on those long-haul flights, the good news is that no weight regulations must be followed, and there is no need to spend additional money on a travel-friendly container of your favorite hair gel.
Rules for Hairspray, Wax, Clay, Mousse, Paste and Pomade
Whether you want to bring gel, wax, mousse, clay, paste, pomade, or hairspray on a plane, the TSA 3-1-1 rule applies – i.e. if you want to pack the item in your carry-on bag, the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml.
If packing the item in your checked bag, there is no weight or size restrictions.
If your favorite brand of hair gel isn’t available in a travel-friendly container, but you want to pack it in your carry-on bag, you’ll be pleased to know that you can purchase a travel size bottle or container that is no larger than 3.4oz/100 ml and fill it yourself with your favorite hair gel, wax, mousse, paste, or pomade.
Even if your favorite brand is available, this can be a more economical way of traveling.
Of course, you can buy and fill more than one bottle or container if you will need more hair gel on your travels.
The TSA permit you to use your own containers, as long as they meet weight/size restrictions.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
