Hair gel is an important part of many people’s hair care routine so if they are going on a trip by plane then it is clear that they will want to find out if they can take it with them.
There are different restrictions on taking hair care products that are considered a liquid if you will be placing them in your carry on bag or your checked bags.
To ensure your hair gel is not confiscated the following will fully explain the rules.
The Quick Answer: Can you bring hair gel on a plane? Hair gel in your carry on must be in a container that is no larger than 3.4 ounces and be in a quart size liquid bag to pass through airport security. There are no restrictions when taking hair gel in checked bags.
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Can you take hair gel through airport security?
One of the first things people ask is: is hair gel considered a liquid?
The bad news is that even though it is not exactly a liquid, hair gel is treated as a liquid under TSA rules so you are restricted on the size of hair gel you can take with you through the TSA security checkpoint.
Any container of hair gel must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 mi) otherwise it will be confiscated by a TSA security officer and disposed of.
This also means that the container of hair gel must be placed in your quart-sized liquids bag together will all your other liquids such as liquid toiletries to go through the x-ray screening process. This bag should be placed separately in a security bin from your carry on bag.
Only one quart size bag containing liquids is permitted per passenger.
The same TSA hair gel rules apply to hair wax, hair mousse, hair cream and hair lotion. So be careful with the sizes of any of those you want to take in your carry on bags too and also ensure they go in your clear plastic bag for liquids.
This is an example response from the TSA on Twitter to a passenger’s question regarding carrying hair gel through airport security:
There are no exceptions!
This passenger is asking the TSA if, for some bizarre reason, an exception can be made to the 3.4 ounce rule for her 4-ounce Blueberry hair paste.
Why she should believe an exception should be made I cannot imagine. Anyway, the answer was “No!”
Does hair gel have to be in its original container?
This passenger is asking if they can put their hair putty in a smaller tin to take gel on a plane? The TSA responded that it can be in any type of container, provided it is 3.4 ounces or less.
Can you bring hair gel in checked luggage?
If you don’t intend to use your hair gel during the flight, and you have a checked bag then packing hair gel and any other hair product in your suitcase is probably a good idea, rather than in your carry on luggage.
There are no restrictions on the size of any liquids or gels you can pack in your checked baggage, within reason. So you can pack hair gel and almost anything else you want with you to stay looking at your best while you are away.
If you want to bring hair products in your checked luggage the only restriction is the size of hair spray in aerosols. You can bring hairspray in checked bags provided they are no larger than 70 ounces.
This passenger is asking if they can bring a 13 ounce bottle of gel in their checked bag:
How much hair gel can you bring on a plane
In carry on you can only take hair gel in containers that are 3.4 ounces or less and you can take as many of those as you can fit in your one quart size plastic liquids bag.
In checked bags you can take hair gel in containers larger than 3.4 ounces and as much as you wish.
Can you use hair gel while on board?
Provided it is small enough to allow you to take it with you through the TSA checkpoint then you can certainly use your favorite hair gel on a plane during the flight.
Don’t forget that at most large airports you may be able to buy gel and other hair products in a store at the airport after passing through security. You are not restricted on the size of hair gel you can take onboard if you purchase it after security.
Conclusion
You should have no problems bringing hair gel on a plane with you when traveling in your carry on bag provided you comply with the size rules above and pack them in a quart-sized bag.
Have a good and stress-free flight.
FAQs
Will TSA confiscate hair gel?
If you try to bring hair gel through airport security in your carry on bag that is in a container larger than 3.4 ozs (100 ml) or not in a clear bag for liquids then it will be confiscated by the Transportation Security Administration security agent at the checkpoint.
Does hair gel count as liquid for TSA?
Hair gel is classed as a liquid under the TSA liquids rule so it has to comply with all of the restrictions such as being in a container that is 3.4 ounces or less if being taken in a carry on bag through the security checkpoint. You can bring hair gel in your checked bags without restriction.
Can I bring pomade on a plane?
You can bring pomade on a plane in hand luggage if the container is no larger than 3.4 ounces and provided it is contained in a single quart size plastic bag for liquids. Also hair pomade can be packed in checked baggage without any size restrictions.
Need to give yourself a haircut while you are away? If so, Can you bring hair clippers on a plane?
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
