Last Updated on October 19, 2022 by SulaBeauty Staff
If hair styling tools such as hair straighteners, hairdryers, curling irons, etc., are a part of your daily styling routine, you’d likely want to carry them when you are flying!
But do airlines permit such products on flights?
Honestly, this question did bother me a few days back. And, to find the answer, I did a bit of research to find out whether I can bring a hair straightener on a plane.
In this article, I’ve covered the details about which hair styling product (including hair straighteners) you can carry on your flight, what safety measures you’ll need to consider, what TSA says about this, and much more.
So, without any further ado, let’s get BEGIN!
As per TSA, Electric curling irons and hair straighteners with cords are not restricted unless they also include batteries or gas/fuel cartridges.
We recommend you to choose any hair straightener with cord from here as recommended by TSA.
Can You Take Hair Straighteners In Hand Luggage?
The short and sweet answer to this question is: yes, you can carry your hair straightener in your hand luggage. In fact, you can even pack it in your checked luggage.
However, you need to take care of a couple of things before packing your straightener in any luggage.
First, avoid packing your straightener right after use, as it would burn your clothes and other stuff with the heated plates. Next, wrap your hair straightener in a towel if you don’t have a heat-protecting case to prevent it from getting damaged while traveling.
Can You Bring a Hairdryer In Carry on Luggage ?
If you hate using low-power hairdryers or any other hairdryer rather than your regular one, you might want to carry your hairdryer while traveling as well.
Fortunately, TSA allows you to carry your hairdryer in the carry on luggage (I guess they know how much women love their hair styling tools!).
Nevertheless, there is still a pain that might bother you, which is the size and weight of hairdryers.
As you know, hair straighteners are not much heavy, and they can fit in almost any corner of our baggage (especially those travel-sized flat irons). But with hairdryers, you’ll need to struggle to adjust the weight and ensure that the dryer sits at a safe position amidst your other stuff.
Can You Bring a Curling Iron on a Plane?
Are you more of a curly-hair-loving girl?
Then you must be wondering that “What about my curling iron? Can I carry my curling iron on a plane?”
Absolutely, Yes! You can pack your curling iron in your hand luggage and checked luggage.
Just make sure to pack it in the right manner (as mentioned for the hair straightener). Wrap it in a towel, tie the cord such that it doesn’t get tangled, do not pack it when it’s hot. And you are good to go!
Can You Bring Hair Curler or Hot Rollers in Your Carry On?
Like flat irons and curling irons, hot rollers (or say electric hair rollers) can be packed in both the hand luggage and checked luggage. Also, TSA hasn’t mentioned any prohibition against any of the brands or types of rollers. So, you can carry them while flying!
Though you will still need to ensure they are not powered by butane gas or lithium batteries otherwise you need a safety cover over the heating element. Besides, avoid packing them while they are hot.
Can You Take a Butane Hair Straightener or a Butane Curling Iron on Airplanes?
While TSA allows most types of hair straighteners and curling irons on planes, Butane or Gas powered hair straighteners and curling irons are prohibited in checked luggage.
You can, however, carry cordless, gas-powered, or butane-powered hair straighteners and curling irons in your hand luggage. But there are a few points to keep in mind.
First, the flat iron or curling iron should cover with it safely with a heating element to prevent accidental activation. Second, only one cartridge is allowed with such devices. So, you will have to put the extra refills and cartridges at home.
Additionally, only one butane or gas-powered tool per passenger is allowed. Hence, if you are carrying a butane-powered hair straightener and curling iron, you need to pack them in separate suitcases.
Will Your Hair Straightener, Hairdryer, and Curling Iron Work When Travelling Internationally?
What is the point in carrying a hair styling device to a foreign country if it’s not going to work there?
Hence, before traveling abroad, it’s crucial to check whether your hair straightener, hairdryer, or curling iron will function in that country. Otherwise, it will be of no use!
And for this, you’ll need to check two factors: the voltage and the plug.
Let’s talk of the voltage first. European countries and most other countries run on a 220-voltage grid while the USA grid is of 110-Voltage. Therefore, you need to use a device that runs on both voltages to save it from frying.
Hairstyling tools usually have a dual voltage feature which makes the device usable worldwide. You can easily check that by reading the information on the cord or back of the device.
Apart from this, you’ll need to check whether the country you are visiting has the same plug adapter as your device’s plug or not. If not, you will have to carry a universal plug adapter with you.
Do You Need a Travel Plug Adapter? Or a Voltage Converter?
You will require a voltage converter if your device is not a dual voltage one. This voltage converter will convert the voltage (110 to 220 or vice versa) to ensure your device doesn’t burn and prevent electrical hazards.
On the other hand, a plug adapter will make sure that your device perfectly fits into the wall socket. The reason behind carrying a plug adapter is that different countries have different sockets. Hence, to use any electrical appliance in a foreign country, you might need a travel adapter.
In addition to that, it’s highly suggested to use electric hair straighteners, curling irons, and hair dryers at a low setting in foreign countries. That will prevent the risk of damage or short-circuit.
Can I Use a Battery-Powered Flat Iron/ HairDryer on an Airplane?
I have come across this question several times, and, strangely, people want to use a straightener or dryer while flying.
Nevertheless, it’s a big NO to using a Battery-powered or any other kind of flat iron or hairdryer on an airplane.
Firstly it can cause fire as it gets quite hot. And secondly, think yourself, why is that even required?
In short, using a flat iron or dryer in a plane cannot only put the plane at risk of fire, but it can get you detained.
So, better avoid using a flat iron or hairdryer or any other styling tool while flying.
What About Other Hair Styling Products?
So, far we have discussed carrying a hair straightener, hairdryer, curling iron, and hair rollers on a plane. But I am sure you might want to carry a bunch of other hair styling tools on your vacation. In this section, I’ll cover a few more products that are allowed on airplanes.
Hair Spray
You can pack hairspray bottles lesser than 100 ml (3.4 oz) in your hand luggage. Simultaneously, each container in the checked baggage should have no more than 530 ml (18 oz), and the combined weight should be no more than 2 l (68 oz).
Also, the TSA states that you should store hair spray with your other toiletries in a transparent, ziplock bag.
Hair Conditioner
While you can carry a hair conditioner in your carry on and checked baggage, you can only pack up to 100 ml (3.4 oz) in your hand luggage.
So, if you plan to carry more than that, you’ll have to pack it in the checked luggage.
Electric Hot-Air Brushes
Like flat iron and dryers, you can pack electric hot-air brushes that have a cord in your hand and checked baggage.
However, for butane or gas-powered cordless hot-air brushes, the same rules are applied (you can only carry it in hand luggage).
Hair Gel
TSA allows you to carry hair gel in checked and carry on luggage. Although, if you are considering carrying it in the hand luggage, you’ll need to follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule, which states that 100 ml (3.4 oz) bottles, 1 quart-sized bag, and 1 bag for each passenger.
Combs and Brushes
Combs and brushes which don’t have sharp ends and are made out of plastic can be carried on the plane in checked and hand luggage. However, combs made from metal are prohibited on planes. So, avoid carrying such combs.
Tip: Don’t Bring Your Most Expensive Hairstyling Tools
Although most of the tools are permitted on planes by the TSA, the security agent still has the right to seize certain tools that may be unsafe for travel. In such times, you may lose your favorite or expensive hair styling tool.
On top of that, while traveling, there are chances of the hairstyling device getting damaged or lost. That will again lead to giving up on your expensive tools.
Therefore, consider buying separate hair styling tools that you can carry while traveling.