Michael Turner
Primary recommendation: Place all liquid, gel and aerosol styling items in containers no larger than 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) and consolidate them into a single transparent, resealable 1‑quart (1 L) bag for security screening; items exceeding this volume should be stowed in checked baggage or purchased as sealed duty‑free.
Items treated as liquids/gels include shampoo, conditioner, leave‑in treatments, styling spray (aerosol), mousse, gel, serums and oil-based tints. Solid formats such as shampoo bars or solid pomades are not subject to the 100 ml limit and may be packed without the liquid restriction.
Aerosol styling agents are subject both to the 100 ml rule in cabin baggage and to airline/transport rules for pressurized containers in checked baggage. Review the product label for flammability marks and verify carrier restrictions before placing aerosols in checked stowage, since some airlines limit total net quantities of pressurized items.
Liquids purchased in airport shops after security may exceed 100 ml if issued in a secure tamper‑evident bag (STEB) with purchase receipt; retain the sealed bag and receipt when making international connections, otherwise the exemption may be voided during transfer screening.
Medically necessary liquids and infant feeding items larger than 100 ml are permitted in cabin baggage but must be declared at the checkpoint and are subject to additional screening; carry supporting documentation or prescriptions where applicable.
Packing tips: use travel‑size refill bottles clearly labeled with contents and volumes, tighten caps and add tape or wrap around closures, double‑bag fragile containers, place the resealable quart bag in an outer pocket of the cabin bag for quick removal at screening, and substitute solid-format alternatives where feasible to avoid volume limits.
Regulations vary by departure country and carrier; consult the departing airport security website and the airline’s baggage policy before travel to confirm allowable volumes, aerosol limits and any destination‑specific prohibitions.
Styling supplies in cabin baggage: rules and packing guidance
Keep all liquid, gel, cream and aerosol styling items in containers no larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz), sealed inside one transparent resealable plastic bag (maximum 1 litre/quart); present that bag separately at security; pressurised cans above 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage.
Allowed vs restricted
Allowed under the 100 ml rule: shampoo, conditioner, mousse, gel, pomade jars, travel oils, leave-in serum vials, small aerosol finishing sprays. Solid bars and waxes are exempt from the liquid limit but remain subject to X‑ray inspection. Aerosol deodorants and foam styling agents count toward the same limit; aerosols containing flammable propellants or fuel-based solvents may be prohibited entirely or limited by the airline.
Packing tips
Use leakproof travel bottles with secure caps, wrap threads with tape or plastic, and place the sealed liquid bag inside a padded compartment or dedicated toiletry pouch to protect electronics. Organize small containers in a structured insert or tote to keep them separate from devices – for example, best camera insert for backpack or best camera tote bag travel. Verify carrier and departure airport restrictions before travel and move oversized or pressurised items to checked baggage well before screening.
Which styling items count as liquids, gels, creams, or aerosols?
Store all liquid, gel, cream and aerosol formulations in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or smaller and group them inside one clear resealable 1‑liter (1‑quart) bag for screening.
Liquid – low-viscosity formulations that flow and take the shape of their container. Typical packaging: plastic bottles, pump dispensers, travel vials. Common examples: shampoo, conditioner, leave-in serums, cleansing oils, detangling sprays, heat-protectant sprays (non-aerosol). Notes: measured by total volume; foams that collapse to a liquid are treated as liquids.
Gel – clear or colored semi-fluid formulations that deform under pressure. Typical packaging: tubes, squeeze bottles, jars. Common examples: styling gel, aloe gel, gel-based pomade, setting gels. Notes: high viscosity does not exempt them from liquid classification; count actual container capacity.
Cream – opaque, emollient preparations with a semi-solid consistency. Typical packaging: tubes, small jars, pump bottles. Common examples: curl cream, smoothing cream, leave-in conditioners, anti-frizz creams. Notes: viscous texture but treated the same as liquids/gels for screening purposes.
Aerosol – pressurized dispensers that release product as spray, foam or dry particles. Typical packaging: metal cans with actuator nozzle. Common examples: aerosol hairspray, dry shampoo (aerosol), mousse (aerosol). Notes: check for flammability warnings; volume limits apply and some airlines restrict certain pressurized containers.
Solids, sticks and bars – non-flowing formats generally classified outside liquid/gel/cream rules if truly solid. Typical packaging: solid bars, sticks, tins. Common examples: solid pomade, shampoo bars, styling wax sticks. Notes: if product softens or melts at ambient temperatures, screening staff may treat it as a liquid.
| Category | Typical packaging | Representative items | Key handling note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Bottles, pumps, travel vials | Shampoo, conditioner, oils, serums | Measured by volume; foams that collapse count as liquid |
| Gel | Tubes, jars, squeeze bottles | Styling gel, aloe gel, gel pomades | High viscosity irrelevant to classification |
| Cream | Tubes, jars, pumps | Curl cream, smoothing cream, leave-ins | Counted with liquids for screening limits |
| Aerosol | Pressurized metal cans | Hairspray (aerosol), aerosol dry shampoo, mousse | Check flammability label; some restrictions possible |
| Solid / Stick | Tins, solid bars, twist-up sticks | Pomade tins, shampoo bars, wax sticks | Non-flowing solids usually exempt; melting may change classification |
Additional unrelated guide: best pressure washer nozzle for siding
How to pack shampoo, conditioner, and styling creams to comply with the 3-1-1 rule
Limit each container to 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) or less and place all liquid, gel and cream containers inside a single clear, resealable quart-size (≈7 × 8 inches / 1 liter) plastic bag for screening.
Step-by-step packing
- Use travel-size bottles clearly marked 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz; decant from full-size containers into quality PET or silicone travel bottles when needed.
- Fill containers nearly full to minimize trapped air; reduced headspace lowers leak risk during cabin pressure changes.
- Apply a square of cling film over the opening before screwing the cap back on, or use leak-proof caps designed for travel bottles.
- For pump tops, either remove the pump and fit a screw cap or lock the pump and wrap the nozzle with tape, then place the item inside the resealable bag.
- Expel excess air from the quart bag before sealing; add an absorbent sheet (paper towel or microfiber) inside to contain any accidental spills.
- Store the sealed bag in an outer pocket or at the top of the cabin bag for fast removal and presentation at security checkpoints.
Special cases and smart swaps
- Solid alternatives (shampoo bars, solid conditioner, wax or clay bars) are exempt from the 3.4 fl oz limit and replace several small bottles for longer trips.
- Aerosols must be travel-size (≤100 ml) and comply with airline/security restrictions; verify acceptability before travel if unsure.
- Items purchased after security in tamper-evident bags with receipts are typically allowed even if over 100 ml–keep the receipt visible and the seal intact.
- Combine one small liquid bottle with solid bars or concentrated formulas to reduce number of containers and stay within the single-bag rule.
Aerosol styling sprays: allowance in cabin baggage and applicable size limits
Only aerosol styling sprays of 3.4 fl oz (100 ml) or less are permitted in cabin hand baggage; each container must fit inside a single quart‑size clear resealable bag with other liquids/gels/aerosols for screening.
Containers exceeding 3.4 fl oz belong in checked baggage where pressurized cans remain subject to hazardous‑materials limits. Many carriers accept individual cans up to roughly 16–18 fl oz (≈500 ml) with an aggregate per‑passenger allowance commonly around 2 kg (≈70 fl oz), but airline and national rules vary–confirm with the carrier and the relevant aviation authority before travel.
Label checks and handling rules: look for UN1950 or a flammable‑gas symbol; ensure intact caps and no dents or leaks; damaged cans may be refused at screening. For cabin screening, remove the quart bag from carry‑on for X‑ray as required by the checkpoint; for checked stowage place cans upright and away from sharp objects.
Alternatives and special cases: non‑aerosol pump sprays, travel‑size refillable atomizers clearly marked with volume, or solid styling forms avoid pressurized restrictions. Medically necessary aerosols (prescription inhalers) are exempt from the 3.4 fl oz limit but must be declared at security screening and presented separately with documentation if requested.
Solid shampoo bars, waxes and dry shampoo in cabin baggage
Solid shampoo bars are treated as solids and are not subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule; store in a rigid, ventilated tin or a sealed soap box to prevent residue on clothing and to speed up screening.
Solids versus soft waxes and pomades
Hard waxes or solid pomades in puck or stick form are classified as solids and may be packed in hand baggage without placement in the quart-sized clear bag. Soft, creamy or petroleum-based waxes that deform or smear are classified as gels/creams and must be in containers of ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml and placed inside the clear liquid bag.
When transferring a soft wax into travel containers, use leakproof screw-top jars, label contents, and place the jar inside a resealable plastic bag to contain leaks. For warm-weather itineraries, prefer solid formulations or store soft waxes in checked baggage to avoid melting.
Dry shampoo: aerosol versus powder
Aerosol dry shampoos are treated like other pressurized sprays: each can must be ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml and go into the clear plastic bag; some carriers restrict aerosols further or prohibit them–verify with the airline before departure. Powder or dry formulations (non-aerosol) are not liquids, but powders over 12 oz / 350 ml carried in cabin baggage may trigger additional screening and could be refused; keep powder containers under that threshold or place larger tubs in checked baggage.
Packaging tips: keep aerosols in their original cans when possible, use hard cases for solids and waxes, and place small soft-wax jars inside a sealed plastic bag. For international routes, confirm the destination country’s cabin rules and the carrier’s policy on aerosols and powders prior to travel.
How to handle prescription or medicated scalp treatments at airport security
Keep prescription topical scalp medications in their original pharmacy-labelled containers and present them to security officers for inspection.
U.S. policy: medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols that exceed 3.4 oz (100 mL) are allowed through the checkpoint when declared; these items will be screened separately and may require opening or additional testing. Expect the same procedure for medicated lotions, serums and foams used on the scalp.
Documentation: have a printed prescription or pharmacy label showing passenger name, medication name (generic and brand), dosage/formulation and prescriber contact details. If paperwork is not in English, include a short translated note from the prescriber.
For international departures and airlines: rules vary. Many civil aviation authorities and carriers permit medicinal liquids beyond 100 mL with supporting documentation, but some carriers restrict pressurized aerosol containers. Verify the departure country’s aviation authority and the airline’s hazardous-goods policy before travelling.
Pressurized medicated aerosols and foam dispensers: check IATA/DOT and airline limits for passenger carriage and checked-baggage restrictions; where feasible, request a non-pressurized formulation from the pharmacy or obtain a physician’s letter explaining medical necessity.
Transferring medication into travel-size containers is acceptable only when the new container is pharmacy-labelled or accompanied by the prescription; unlabeled jars or toiletry-style bottles increase the likelihood of delays or confiscation.
If an item is flagged for additional inspection or denied at the checkpoint, request a supervisor and obtain a written explanation. Options after denial include placing the item in checked baggage (if regulations and carrier allow), arranging courier shipment, or sourcing an equivalent at destination with documentation from the prescriber.
What airline and international restrictions apply to flammable or pressurized styling aerosols?
Place flammable or pressurized grooming aerosols in checked baggage only when airline and country rules explicitly allow them; many carriers prohibit certain flammable formulations from either cabin or hold carriage and require adherence to dangerous-goods limits.
Regulatory framework and common limits
Most international air operators follow ICAO Technical Instructions and the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, which classify consumer aerosols under UN1950 (Aerosols). Typical manufacturer/transport constraints: a single aerosol usually must not exceed 0.5 kg net mass (≈500 ml for water-like contents), and total limited-quantity allowance per passenger often has an aggregate cap (frequently around 2 kg net, but this may vary by operator and route). Aerosols that contain flammable solvents or are explicitly labeled “flammable” may be further restricted or forbidden for carriage by air under these rules.
National aviation authorities add further controls. Examples: U.S. Transportation Security Administration applies IATA/ICAO principles and bans aerosols containing volatile fuels; the European Union enforces similar restrictions through EASA and member-state regulations. Dangerous-good placarding, valve protection, and intact original packaging are standard requirements when transport is permitted.
Airline differences and practical actions
Policy varies between carriers and flight types (domestic vs international). Gulf and some Australasian carriers often prohibit most flammable aerosols regardless of quantity; low-cost European airlines may limit total aerosol count per passenger; transatlantic and U.S. carriers commonly allow toiletry aerosols under limited-quantity rules but enforce stricter limits for pressurized/deodorant/fuel-based sprays. Business or cargo-only flights can follow different rules.
Before travel: check the specific airline’s dangerous-goods or baggage webpage and the departure/arrival country aviation authority. Retain original labeling that shows UN number or consumer-aerosol designation, fit protective caps, place cans upright in well-padded sections of checked baggage, and declare items to airline ground staff if required. When in doubt, switch to non-pressurized formulations (travel-sized liquids in approved containers or solid alternatives) or ship hazardous sprays via approved freight services under proper DG procedures.
