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Liquids, gels, and aerosols are not allowed in carry-on bags larger than 3.4 ounces.
You can now bring medically-necessary liquids and food into larger containers.
Depending on the type of gel or liquid it is, you may be allowed to bring it on board. However, it will have to comply with the 3.4-ounce limit.
TSA official guidelines: Bringing Hair Gel on the plane
However, if the liquid is aerosol, then it’s not subject to the 3.4 ounce limit. Also, it should be noted that the TSA’s definition of gel or liquid differs from that of an airline.
Before boarding an airplane, make sure that you check with the Transportation Security Administration and your airline to ensure that they’re following their regulations.
Regulations For TSA Hair Gel
Although it’s not allowed to bring gel on a plane, the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t have specific rules on how to carry hair gel on a flight.
If you use hair gel to style your hair, then you probably don’t want to leave it at home when you travel.
However, the TSA still has rules that apply to all liquids, aerosols, and gels. These rules require that all of these items be placed in a clear plastic bag and inspected before they can be taken on a plane.
For instance, if you bring gel with you, make sure to place it in a clear plastic bag before going to the airport. Also, make sure to remove the liquid or gel from its container.
When Flying, Is Hair Gel Considered A Liquid?
Since liquids can be used to make explosives, the Transportation Security Administration has procedures in place to prevent them from being carried on planes.
Since gel packs are very common when going through airport security, the Transportation Security Administration has implemented rules to prevent them.
You can use hair gel as a liquid when flying, but it should be placed in a clear, quart-sized bag.
If you have a lot of hairspray in your bag, it’s possible to get around this rule by bringing it in your checked luggage. However, it still requires going through the security process twice.
To minimize the amount of liquid in your bag, pack it in a clear bag with a maximum of 3.4 ounces.
If you have a liquid that has a 3.4-ounce capacity, don’t bring it on board. The TSA will probably confiscate it.
So, How Do I Pack Hair Gel For A Flight?
Unfortunately, there are no carry-on hair gel items that are banned by the Transportation Security Administration. One exception is the Got2Be Glued Styling Gel, which has less than 3 oz of liquid contents.
You can also make a paste or a powder out of methylcellulose. Just add water to make the product.
Once the product is made, it should be placed in a plastic squeeze bottle and secured to a cap. It’s important to remember to leave the hair gel at home to style it.
When it comes to carrying gel products, remember to pack them in a single, quart-sized bag. They should also be placed in a secure, plastic bag.
Pack the appropriate containers for liquids and gels in your bag. It’ll help remove them quickly during the security screening.
Be sure to check the country’s regulations when traveling internationally. For instance, some countries have restrictions when it comes to the size of containers.
A hair gel is commonly used to style hair. It can be thick or thin and comes in various colors. Before going on a plane, it’s also important to know the restrictions on bringing gel items on board.
In addition, carry-on bags are allowed to contain up to 10 gallons of liquids and aerosols. They should be placed in a clear plastic bag for easy inspection.
Some countries allow the use of containers smaller than 3 oz. However, there are exceptions.
In Your Carry-On Luggage
By carrying only one bag, you’ll save yourself a lot of time when it comes to checking and claiming baggage. The 3-1-1 rule from the TSA limits the amount of non-essential items that you can bring in.
- Each non-solid item you bring on the plane must fit into a container that carries no more than 3.4 ounces. The restriction is based on the container’s size, not the amount of product within. So even if you’ve used half of your 6-ounce jar of hair gel, you won’t be able to carry it on board in its original container. Instead, move it to a 3.4-ounce or smaller container. Fill a second or third container if you think you’ll need additional product.
- Each of the little bottles must fit into a 1-quart transparent plastic bag with a zipper closure.
- Even if you’re taking a personal item, you’re only allowed one quart-size bag in your carry-on.
Since many people carry large bags, the Transportation Security Administration limits the sizes of non-solid toiletry items such as hair gel to 17 ounces. This limit applies to gel hair products and other non-solid toiletry items.
You’re also limited to the total amount of liquids and non-solid toiletry items that you can bring in checked luggage.
Need more space for your toiletries and cosmetics? Instead of searching for liquid alternatives, try solid shampoos and conditioners that contain nourishing and moisturizing ingredients. These bars are ideal for keeping your hair soft and moisturized.
Other Miscellaneous Items Allowed on the Plane
| Item | Carry On | Baggage | Source |
| Artificial Skeleton Bones | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Baby Carrier | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Baby Wipes | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Balloons (not inflated) | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Battery powered wheel chairs and mobility devices | No | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Belts, Clothes and Shoes | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Billy Clubs | No | Yes | TSA |
| Binoculars | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Biological specimens, non-infectious, in preservative solutions | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Black Jacks (Self-Defense Weapons) | No | Yes | TSA |
| Blankets | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Bobby Pins | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Body Armor | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Books | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Brass Instruments | Check with Airline | Yes | TSA |
| Brass Knuckles | No | Yes | TSA |
| Bread Machine | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Camera Monopod | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Car Parts | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Chapsticks | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Child Car Seat | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Cologne | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Comic Books | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Concealer | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Conditioner | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Cremated Remains | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes | TSA |
| Cymbals | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Digital Cameras | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Disassembled computer/computer parts/external hard drives | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Drones, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Drum Sticks (instrument drum set) | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Drumsticks | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Dry Ice | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Dry Shampoo (aerosol) | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| E-liquids | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| E-Z Pass Transponders | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Electric Blankets | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Devices | Yes (Special Instructions) | No | TSA |
| Electronic Toothbrush | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRB) | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Eye Liners (liquid) | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Fertilizer | No | No | TSA |
| Film | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Flowers | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Foam Toy Sword | No | Yes | TSA |
| Formaldehyde solution, less than 10 percent | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Foundation | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Geiger Counters | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Glass | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Glass Picture Frame | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Glass Vase (empty) | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Glow Sticks | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Guitar | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Hair Clippers | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Hair Dryers | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Hair Gel | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Hair Spray | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Hair Straightener, flat iron (with cord) | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Hair Texturizer (aerosol) | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Handcuffs | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Harry Potter wand | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Headphones | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Heated Jackets / Sweaters | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Hookahs | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Hoverboards | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Ice | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes | TSA |
| Jewelry | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Laser Hair Remover | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Laser Pointers | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Light Saber | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Lipsticks | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Liquid nitrogen in a dry shipper | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Live Coral | Yes | No | TSA |
| Live Fish | Yes | No | TSA |
| Luggage Protection Covers | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Makeup Remover | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Makeup Wipes | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Mascara | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Metal Detector | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Mirrors | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Multi-tools | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes | TSA |
| Nail Polish | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Nail Polish Remover | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Night Sticks | No | Yes | TSA |
| Night Vision Goggles | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Pen | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Perfume | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Permeation devices for calibrating air quality | No | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Planting seeds | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Plants | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Play-doh | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Powder Makeup | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Power Charger | Yes | No | TSA |
| Power Inverters | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Putty Balls | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Sea Shells | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Segways | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Shampoo | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Shock collars | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Shoe Horn | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Shoe Inserts | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Shoe Tree | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Slingshots | No | Yes | TSA |
| Small Pets | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Snow Globes | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Soap (Bar) | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Soap (Liquid) | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Solar Panels | Check with Airline | Check with Airline | TSA |
| Solid Makeup | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Steel Toe Boots | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Stuffed Animals | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Stun Guns/Shocking Devices | No | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Sunscreen | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Tactical Pen | No | Yes | TSA |
| Tattoo Inks | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Television | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Tobacco | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Tobacco Pipes | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Toothpaste | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Toy Guns and Weapons | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes | TSA |
| Toys (Adult) | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Violins | Yes (Special Instructions) | Yes (Special Instructions) | TSA |
| Wallet Chains | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Weather Barometer or Thermometer (Mercury) | Yes (Special Instructions) | No | TSA |
| Wet Wipes | Yes | Yes | TSA |
| Wine bottle | Yes (Less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml allowed) | Yes | TSA |
| Xbox | Yes | Yes | TSA |
Conclusion
Clear containers or bottles of hairspray, gel, or other beauty products are fine to keep in your carry-on bag since they’re liquids.
Make sure to pack the appropriate amount of shampoo and conditioner in your luggage so that it can be washed out properly.
toiletries such as toothpaste and hair gel, as well as medicines and eye drops, can be taken on airplanes if they are in containers of less than 3 oz.