A woman shares a PSA that airlines are banning a common hair tool—but only if it powers on in a potentially dangerous way.
In a video with over 2.5 million views, TikToker Holly Duval (@hollyannduval) stands in her kitchen.
“I just heard that airlines are banning gas curling irons,” she says. “I didn’t even know that was a thing. Second, enough people have them where they’re having to ban them?”
In the caption, she writes, “Airlines are now just making up things.”
What is a gas curling iron, and why are they banned?
A gas curling iron is a cordless hair tool that is typically fueled by butane gas. While they became popular in the 1980s and 1990s, per Redditors who used them, they’ve fallen out of favor as new hair tool technology has hit the market. However, eBay and Amazon still sell the gas curling irons.
“They still have those?? My mom had one in the 80’s. They are super dangerous,” one commenter writes on Duval’s video.
“I had one in the late 80s early 90s. I would curl my hair in my first class of the day,” another says.
According to NBC News, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now bans all hair tools fueled by gas cartridges or butane from checked luggage. Travellers can still bring the gas-powered curling irons in their carry-on luggage.
Do travellers still have gas-powered hair tools?
While Duval questions whether anyone still uses a gas curling iron, several commenters say they do.
“My mom has had one since the 90s, she calls it her propane iron and brings it with her everywhere. She has great bangs,” one writes.
“I have one. I’ve had one for 30 years. It’s great when camping,” another says.
“I have one. They’re very convenient for travel and working stylist where outlets may not be around. On set for shoots,” a third adds.
Others point out that the gas curling iron doesn’t have to be common for TSA to take action.
“Just so you know, for something to be banned, it only takes one person to mess up. Probably wasn’t several people if it’s not a common item,” a commenter suggests.
“It only takes one bad experience to cause a ban. Sincerely, someone who has to make regular updates to our handbook bc people are wild,” another jokes.
“It just takes 1 issue for the FAA/airlines to ban something,” a third says.
@hollyannduval Airlines are now just making up things #airlines #blowout #curlingiron #dysonairwrap #fyp ♬ original sound – Holly Duval
The Mary Sue reached out to Duval and the TSA for further comment.
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