NASA astronaut Jessica Meir recently shared insights into maintaining curly hair aboard the International Space Station (ISS), offering practical tips for navigating the unique challenges of microgravity. The five-and-a-half-minute video, posted to X on September 9 by the Expedition 75 crew member, highlights how astronauts adapt personal care routines in an environment where fluids and loose items float freely.
Meir explained that washing hair in orbit relies on no-rinse shampoo, with a focus on the scalp where sweat and salt accumulate. Due to limited access to commercial hair products, she maintains a simplified regimen: squeezing water from a pouch onto her roots, massaging the scalp, and drying her thick, curly hair with a dedicated T-shirt. She advises against using brushes, which can cause frizz, opting instead to style her hair with her hands and fingers between washes.
While humidity is generally controlled on the ISS, Meir noted that she uses leave-in conditioner to manage her texture, observing that her Earth-based 3a curls tend to tighten to a 3c curl pattern in space. Having arrived at the station in February, she expressed anticipation for returning to Earth and experiencing a traditional shower.
The disclosure of these personal care details has resonated beyond technical interest, prompting discussions on representation. The article’s author, a curly-haired individual, reflected on the social pressures faced by people with natural curls, citing personal experiences of bullying during the 1990s when straight-haired styles were dominant. The author emphasized that visibility of diverse hair textures in high-profile roles, such as space exploration, underscores the importance of inclusivity.
Highlighting recent examples of representation, the author pointed to NASA astronaut Christina Koch, who sported curly hair during the Artemis II lunar mission earlier this year. Koch subsequently discussed her mission braids at an event in Canada, further illustrating the growing visibility of curly-haired astronauts.
The author also drew parallels between Meir’s methods and experiences from a 2014 simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, where no-rinse shampoo and bun-style protection were used to preserve curls under water-restricted conditions. The piece concluded by inviting readers to share their own experiences regarding hair care in microgravity or analog environments.
My hair frizzes badly in dry planes, so floating water droplets must be a nightmare. Respect to her routine!
Skeptical about the science here. I doubt humidity control alone changes curl patterns that drastically without more proof.
Wait, do curls actually get tighter in microgravity? That is a wild fact I didn’t expect to learn today.
I always thought they just shaved their heads up there. Never knew no-rinse shampoo was the go-to!
Love seeing curly hair represented in space! So inspiring to have diverse role models there.