According to the Transport Security Administration or the TSA, you can bring 100ml or less of hair spray in your carry-on luggage. (1)
This information might lead you to ask: Are there restrictions on other hair styling devices? Can you take a hair straightener on an airplane?
Read on while I share all you need to know about plane travel with straighteners.
READ MORE: Top Five Hair Straighteners Reviews
Key Takeaways:
- You can bring wired hair straighteners on a plane either in your carry-on luggage or checked baggage.
- Cordless or battery-charged appliances are only allowed in checked luggage.
- Only one butane-powered appliance is permitted in your carry-on.
Can You Bring A Hair Straightener On A Plane?
It is no easy task to look your best on a vacation or business trip, far from the comfort and amenities of your home. This is why many people prefer their own tools instead of the awful hotel hair dryers.
According to the TSA, you can bring hair styling devices such as hair straighteners and curling irons onboard a plane.
Remember that the TSA officer in charge or on duty gets the final say.
In addition to the TSA, you must follow the rules of the Federal Aviation Administration or the FAA on which electrical items you may fly with. (2)
The TSA does not permit packing items containing lithium in checked luggage. This extends to both batteries and the metal itself.
All lithium items and compounds must be added to your carry-on luggage. Flat irons can be added to the checked-in luggage as long as they don’t have lithium content.
Don’t worry because most flat iron plates are made of the following:
- Titanium
- Titanium Ceramic
- Tourmaline Ceramic
- Porcelain Ceramic
- Copper Ceramic
- Volcanic Mineral infusions
- Pearl infusion
You should consider that rules and regulations might differ in foreign countries and on international flights. If you’re traveling abroad, make a note if you can take a flat iron through airport security.
Can I Bring Hair Straighteners in Carry-on Luggage?
You can bring a regular electric hair straightener in your carry-on. You can’t bring cordless curling irons or cordless hair straighteners in your checked luggage.
The reason is that many cordless hair-styling tools are butane-powered or gas-powered.
According to the TSA guidelines, only one butane-based tool is allowed in your carry-on. This is because butane is highly flammable and poses a fire hazard.
The same rule applies to gas. If you use a butane hair straightener, you might reconsider packing it.
You can’t bring any refills or cartridges either, so it’s preferable to pack corded hair straighteners rather than take the risk.
You’re also required to use a cover or pouch for safety purposes.
Can I Bring Hair Straighteners in Checked Luggage?
Yes, but this depends on what kind of hair straightener you own.
If it’s a regular corded straightener, it’s OK to add it to your checked luggage. A butane-powered or gas-fueled straightener is prohibited to add to your checked bags.
How To Safely Pack Hair Straighteners?
Now that we know the TSA allows us to carry hair straighteners when we travel, it’s important to remember that we do need to pack the straightener as safely as possible.
Hair straighteners are expensive personal items. I hate using hotel-provided straighteners, and borrowing them is not something I like to do.
Call me a snob, but I like using my own tools and best travel beauty products because they are personal items I’ve gotten used to. Here’s how I pack them.
You can wrap a towel around your device, especially after it’s been hot and you’re in a hurry. Or, you can purchase a heat-resistant cover or container for it.
How Do I Straighten My Hair Without A Flat Iron?
Most of us prefer getting straight locks with the help of a flat iron, the easiest method.
However, there are other ways to do it in a hair emergency or when you want to avoid heat damage.
Try drying it with cold air with a hair dryer once 3/4 has already air dried. Remember to section the hair, and turn on the cool setting instead of the heat. (3)
Maintain about six inches of distance between your hair and the hair dryer. This method works better when you use a hair care product like a serum or leave-in conditioner.
An even more natural way of doing this is to try products meant to leave your hair smooth and straight.
These would include keratin-based products like shampoos, conditioners, serums, leave-in products, etc.
Lastly, you can try hair rollers if you don’t want dead straight hair while avoiding heating elements. Rollers will give your hair body slight waves.
Section your hair, and comb it thoroughly. Hold your hair tightly, and roll them towards your scalp.
Firmly pin it up, using longer bobby pins to keep it in place. You might want to tie a scarf or turban around your hair to keep it protected once you’re done pinning the hair up.
FAQs
Can I bring hair gel on the plane?
Yes, but there’s a 3-1-1 rule you’ll need to consider for such products. This means you can bring 3 ounces of the gel for 1 passenger in 1 bag.
Can I bring liquid items on the plane?
This depends on the liquid, but it needs to be under 3.4 oz or follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule. Plus, it shouldn’t obstruct x-ray images during security inspections or add to luggage clutter. There are rules regarding inflammable liquids, too.
Can I bring hairspray in my carry-on luggage?
Again, as long as you follow the same rule, hairspray is alright to bring in your carry-on. You will need to place it within an airtight bag, which needs to be resealable and transparent.
Conclusion
Air travel can be daunting with the security procedures. Knowing the rules takes away any anxieties about what hair products you can and can’t bring on board.
Happy hair styling and traveling!
So, did you ever experience taking a hair straightener with you on an airplane? Let us know in the comments section!
References
- 1. What Can I Bring? All | Transportation Security Administration [Internet]. www.tsa.gov. [cited 2022 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all?combine=make%20up&page=0
- 2. Pack Safe – Portable electronic devices, containing batteries [Internet]. Faa.gov. 2022 [cited 2022 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=20
- 3. How to Straighten Hair: 7 Heat-Free Tips for Straight Hair [Internet]. Healthline. 2018 [cited 2022 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-straight-hair#Tips-for-getting-straight-hair-without-using-heat
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