NASA astronaut Jessica Meir has shared a video detailing how she cares for her curly hair while aboard the International Space Station (ISS), approximately 260 miles above Earth.
In the instructional video, Meir is shown applying water from a sealed bag to her hair, followed by a no-rinse shampoo. She then uses a t-shirt to dry her hair before applying a small amount of conditioner. Meir explained that in microgravity, her hair, which she describes as 3a curls on Earth, behaves more like 3c curls and tends to catch on velcro surfaces. Despite this, she noted that a brush is still not required.
Meir highlighted some advantages of having curly hair in space, including not needing to tie it back during workouts. However, she expressed anticipation for a traditional Earth shower upon her return.
Social media users responded positively to the content. One user, Garrett Jameson, commented that such information would be valuable for young girls with curly hair, empowering them to feel confident. Another user, MG | Fulcrum, remarked on how challenging managing hair might be in space.
NASA developed a specialized no-rinse shampoo for astronauts that minimizes water usage and prevents the formation of free-floating water droplets in the microgravity environment. This formula does not require rinsing with running water, which is crucial for water conservation in space and for preventing potential damage to equipment from loose water droplets.