Jessica Meir, a NASA astronaut, has shared a glimpse into the unique challenges and methods of hair care while living aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In a video that garnered millions of views on Instagram, Meir detailed how she manages her curly hair in microgravity.
Meir explained that tasks like washing her hair are more complex in space. She demonstrated using weightless drops of water and a no-rinse shampoo, a product specifically developed by NASA for astronauts. This specialized shampoo requires minimal water and is designed to prevent the creation of floating droplets that could interfere with equipment. After applying the shampoo, she dries her hair with a t-shirt and uses a small amount of conditioner, noting that she uses less product in space to avoid buildup.
She highlighted that curly hair presents particular difficulties in space, as it can easily snag on equipment while floating. However, Meir also noted a unique advantage: the lack of gravity means her hair naturally stays out of her face, eliminating the need to tie it back, even during workouts. She described her hair in orbit as resembling a mohawk and appearing thicker because gravity is not pulling the curls down.
Meir confessed that she misses her "space hair" when back on Earth and has tried, unsuccessfully, to replicate its gravity-defying style. She expressed anticipation for a conventional shower upon her return to Earth.
Meir first traveled to the ISS in 2019 as a flight engineer, participating in the first all-female spacewalk. She returned to Earth in April 2020 and subsequently returned to the ISS in February 2026.
The video resonated with viewers, many of whom expressed fascination and appreciation for the insight into astronaut life. Comments ranged from admiration for Meir's confidence as a curly-haired individual in space to lighthearted remarks about how their own hair might react in microgravity.