How do astronauts wash their hair?

Washing your hair in space is not as simple as it is on Earth. Astronauts must follow strict procedures to ensure safety in a zero-gravity environment.

Washing hair on a spacecraft is done carefully. Photo: NASA .

In the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS), even the simplest tasks like washing your hair become complicated. Without gravity to keep water from falling, astronauts face the risk of droplets floating around, threatening electronics, clogging vents, and compromising sanitation on the station.

In such circumstances, astronauts still have their own way of washing their hair. NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, who has been working on the ISS since March, shared the details of the process in a recently posted video .

“It's not too different from how we wash our hair on Earth, except you can't rely on gravity to make the water flow down," Ayers explains.

Instead, she uses a specialized water bag with a one-way valve. Thanks to this design, the female astronaut can control exactly how much water is used and ensure that water does not fly around in the capsule.

To wet her hair, which in Ayers' case was very long, she pressed the hose directly onto her scalp, then gently squeezed the water into the roots. Another amount of water was distributed to the ends, giving the entire head the moisture it needed to start washing.

Ayers uses bar shampoo, which lathers less and is easier to control in zero gravity. After applying it to her hair, she focuses on rinsing her scalp first, then lets the water spread through the rest of her hair. This process minimizes the amount of water needed, while also avoiding the risk of excess water being released into the environment.

Next, she uses a towel to remove excess water, applies a layer of conditioner, brushes her hair quickly, and lets it dry naturally.

“The water evaporates and goes into the air filtration system. We have to recover the excess water because tomorrow someone might drink it in their coffee,” Ayers said.

It’s a humorous yet practical reminder of the closed-loop recycling system on the ISS, where every drop of water is collected, purified, and reused. Life on the space station requires extreme adaptation to harsh conditions, with even the simplest actions following strict protocols to ensure safety.

Source: https://znews.vn/phi-hanh-gia-goi-dau-nhu-the-nao-post1574442.html