Why female astronauts like Sunita Williams don’t tie their hair in space: Here’s the science behind it

We all saw astronaut Sunita Williams floating effortlessly in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). Her hair, a striking mane of salt-and-pepper curls, moved freely around her head, completely unaffected by gravity. For many, this image might raise an interesting question, how do astronauts manage their hair in space? It turns out haircare is just as essential beyond Earth as it is on the ground.

"Woman with wild hair": Trump’s comment on Sunita Williams

Recently, US President Donald Trump made headlines with his remarks about NASA astronaut Sunita Williams. During a press conference about the astronauts’ prolonged stay in space, Trump humorously noted, “I see the woman with the wild hair, good, solid head of hair she’s got. There’s no kidding, there’s no games with her hair.” While the internet took this as meme-worthy material, it also highlighted something unique, how astronauts, particularly women, manage their hair in space.

Why do women astronauts keep their hair open in space?

In microgravity, hair doesn’t fall naturally as it does on Earth. So, why do many female astronauts leave their hair open instead of tying it up? Here are a few reasons:

• No Need for Hair Ties: With no gravity pulling hair downward, there’s no practical reason to tie it back.
• Easier Washing: Astronauts use no-rinse shampoo and a towel, making it more convenient to let their hair flow naturally.
• Ventilation System Helps Drying: Airflow inside the International Space Station (ISS) helps evaporate moisture, eliminating the need for blow dryers.
• Personal Preference: Some astronauts simply enjoy having their hair open, and since it doesn’t get in their face as it would on Earth, there’s no discomfort.

Karen Nyberg’s space hairwash tutorial

NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg once gave the world a peek into her haircare routine in space. While aboard the ISS in 2013, Nyberg recorded a YouTube video demonstrating how she washed her long hair in zero gravity. She explained, “What I like to do is start by just putting some hot water, squirting it onto my scalp, and I have a mirror so I can kind of watch what I'm doing. Sometimes the water gets away from you and you try and catch as much as you can, and I just work the water up through to the ends of my hair.”

Since they don’t have access to regular showers, astronauts use no-rinse shampoo and towels instead of hair dryers. Interestingly, Nyberg also revealed that the evaporated water from their hair is condensed and turned into drinking water aboard the ISS!

Inputs from TOI