Updated
Updated · Space.com · Sep 13
Jessica Meir Shares 5.5-Minute ISS Curly Hair Guide From Expedition 75
Updated
Updated · Space.com · Sep 13

Jessica Meir Shares 5.5-Minute ISS Curly Hair Guide From Expedition 75

2 articles · Updated · Space.com · Sep 13

Summary

  • A 5.5-minute video posted Sept. 9 from the International Space Station shows Jessica Meir explaining how she manages curly hair in microgravity during Expedition 75.
  • Meir said orbit hair care relies on no-rinse shampoo, small amounts of water worked into the scalp and roots, a dedicated T-shirt for drying, and fingers instead of brushes to limit frizz.
  • ISS conditions change her routine: humidity is less of a problem, but leave-in conditioner still helps because her Earthly 3a curls become more like 3c in space.
  • The astronaut has been aboard the ISS since February and said she is looking forward to taking a real shower once she returns to Earth.
  • Beyond the practical tips, the video highlights representation in spaceflight by showing everyday personal care for astronauts with curly hair.

Insights

If water is so scarce on the ISS, why do astronauts adapt complex grooming routines instead of just shaving their heads?
Why does microgravity magically transform curl patterns, and what does this mean for the daily lives of future space explorers?
Could the simple act of washing hair in space actually reshape cultural representation and diversity in STEM fields?