Can You Bring Hairspray On A Plane?

Air travel is one of the most popular ways to travel and one of the easiest ways to see different parts of the world. 

However, security surrounding air travel has become stricter and stricter over the years which has left many people confused about what they can and can’t take on the plane with them. 

The truth of the matter is that while there are some rules that apply to air travel no matter which airline you go with, there are some that are specific to each company. 

In this article, we will be looking at whether you can bring hairspray onto a plane and where it should be packed. 

Can You Bring Hairspray On A Plane?

The short answer to this question is, yes, you can.  There are a few caveats to that answer though. 

One of the main things that need to be remembered is that there are size and container restrictions that need to be followed in order to be allowed to take your hairspray with you. 

These restrictions apply to both carry-on luggage and checked luggage.  

As Carry-On Luggage

According to the TSA, you are permitted to bring a container of hairspray with you in your carry-on luggage.  The stipulations that are put in place with carry-on hairspray are that the container must not hold more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml. 

This means that the container itself must be no bigger than 3.4 oz, therefore, you cannot bring a half-used regular-sized hairspray container with you. 

The container must also be able to fit into a sealed 1-quart, clear plastic bag such as a ziplock bag. Any liquids that do not fit in such a bag will not be permitted on the plane no matter the size of the container, and there is a limit of one bag per passenger.  

There is no TSA preference for pump action hairspray containers over aerosol containers. 

To ensure that your hairspray will adhere to the TSA guidelines and fit inside your liquids bag, it is best to purchase a travel-sized hairspray from a drugstore or other beauty outlet.  

As Checked Luggage

Packing hairspray into your checked luggage is also permitted as per TSA regulations.  When placed into checked luggage, toiletry containers should not be larger than 500 ml or 18 oz. 

Furthermore, there should be no more than 70 oz or 2 liters of toiletry products in your suitcase.  

If your hairspray is in an aerosol container, the TSA states that the nozzle or release device should be protected by the cap that it came with or another suitable means. 

This is to protect against accidental release of the aerosol product.  This is a requirement because of the pressure changes that occur in the hold of the plane which can cause aerosol canisters to release mid-flight. 

While this will not cause any safety concerns, it can cause damage to your or other passengers’ items depending on how they are stored.  

According To Airline

When it comes to packing hairspray either in your carry-on luggage or in your checked luggage, your choice of airline doesn’t have an impact.  All US airlines follow the TSA guidance on liquids and aerosols, including hairspray. 

This means that the rules apply no matter who your flight is.  If you are using an international airline from another country, it would be worth checking what their specific rules are regarding aerosols. 

However, it is likely that the rules will be similar or the same due to the international nature of air travel.  

Domestic Vs. International

As mentioned above, it really makes no difference whether you are flying internationally or domestically.  The vast majority of airlines will implement the same liquid regulations at their security terminals. 

All major international airports implement the same 100 ml limit on carry-on liquids and allow a very generous capacity for liquids in checked luggage. 

In cases where your hairspray container exceeds these limits, it will simply be confiscated by the airport’s security agents.  The same applies to zip lock bags that cannot be sealed shut. 

Security will remove an item and confiscate it.  Most security agents will allow you to select the product that is confiscated from the bag rather than making the decision themselves.  

Aerosol Vs. Pump Action

Whether your hairspray is aerosol or pump action actually makes very little difference in whether you can take your hairspray onto the plane.  Both types of products are allowed to be packed in both checked and carry-on luggage according to the TSA guidelines.  

The only difference between the two products is the design of the bottle.  All aerosol bottles are fairly similar and take up very little space.  Most pump-action product bottles are of a similar design that doesn’t take up much space. 

However, some pump-action bottles of hairspray may feature a salon spray bottle design which can take up more space.  This can be an issue when trying to fit products into your carry-on allowance. 

It is best to avoid these types of bottles for carry-on products to save space. 

How To Safely Pack Hairspray

Small, travel-sized containers are unlikely to be unexpectedly discharged in your carry-on bag, so it is not necessary to take extra precautions to protect your belongings. 

However, it may give you peace of mind to do so.  This can be achieved by leaving the hairspray in the clear plastic bag that was required to get through security. 

For hairspray that is packed in your checked luggage, the risk of accidental discharge is heightened because of the air pressure changes that happen in the hold of the plane. 

As mentioned above, you should ensure that your hairspray is packed with its cap on to help avoid accidental discharge.  However, this is not always a fool-proof method and hairspray caps can easily pop off the container. 

To further protect your belongings and prevent accidental discharge there are a few steps that you can take. 

The easiest thing to do is to ensure that your hairspray is packed inside a sealed plastic bag or another liquid-proof container to prevent your clothes from being covered in hairspray. 

Similarly, you could use a small amount of tape to hold the cap in place throughout the flight. 

Final Thoughts

Hairspray is permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.  There are different rules that apply to both methods of traveling with your hair products but they are reasonable and easily adhered to.