Since 2000, astronauts have lived and worked aboard the International Space Station (ISS), representing countries like the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and across Europe. That’s over 24 years of continuous human presence in orbit — an incredible scientific achievement that has enabled cutting-edge research in physics, biology, medicine, and even climate science.
But behind the science and spacewalks lies a surprising everyday reality:
🌌 How do astronauts cut their hair in zero gravity?
Yes — even 250 miles above Earth, personal grooming doesn’t stop. In fact, maintaining hygiene in space is a lot more complicated than it sounds.
🧠What’s It Really Like Living on the ISS?
Living aboard the ISS means living in microgravity — a condition where objects (and people) are in a state of continuous free fall. This creates the feeling of weightlessness, which affects everything, including:
- How fluids behave
- How muscles and bones change
- How astronauts sleep, eat, and yes — even groom
💇‍♂️ Haircuts in Space: The High-Tech Buzz
Let’s be real: you probably don’t think of barbershops when you think of spaceflight. But astronauts need haircuts just like anyone else, especially during 6-month missions.
Here’s how they do it:
🧰 NASA’s space haircut kit includes:
- A pair of clippers
- A custom vacuum hose to suck up stray hairs
- Sometimes, help from a fellow crew member
Because in zero gravity, loose hair doesn’t fall — it floats, potentially clogging air filters, entering eyes, or worse, contaminating equipment.
🚫 Scissors are rarely used because they’re harder to control in microgravity. Clippers with vacuums are the safe and clean way to go.
💡 Fun fact: Some astronauts even practice giving each other haircuts before heading into space, so they’re ready to trim and assist mid-mission!
🧼 Hygiene in Space: No Showers, No Problem
If haircuts are tricky, imagine staying fresh without a shower for six months.
That’s right — there are no traditional showers on the ISS. Here’s how astronauts stay clean:
- 🧴 Rinse-free wipes replace water-based bathing
- 🧽 No-rinse shampoo is massaged into the hair and towel-dried
- 🦷 Toothbrushing is done with edible toothpaste or spit into a tissue
- đź‘• Clothes are worn multiple times since there’s no laundry in space — they’re eventually disposed of with trash
Despite these challenges, astronauts maintain a surprisingly regular routine, helping them stay physically and mentally healthy.
🌍 Why Does This Matter to Us on Earth?
While it may seem like a quirky story, these hygiene routines offer valuable insights:
✅ Designing for extremes: Technologies developed for the ISS can be adapted for remote or emergency situations on Earth — think disaster zones or rural medicine.
✅ Sustainable living: With no showers and limited resources, the ISS is a model for efficient water and waste management — something we can all learn from.
âś… Future missions to Mars: These everyday routines are preparing humanity for deep space exploration, where independence from Earth will be essential.
🔬 The Bigger Picture: Science, Innovation, and Human Resilience
From growing crystals in zero gravity to studying how space affects the human body, the ISS remains one of the most important laboratories ever built. But behind every experiment is a crew of astronauts living full lives in a highly unnatural environment — and making it work.
Whether it’s giving each other buzz cuts or finding ways to stay clean without water, astronauts are mastering the art of adaptation, and giving us all a glimpse into what life might be like in future space colonies or long-duration missions.
📣 Final Thoughts — Would You Get a Haircut in Space?
Living on the ISS may sound glamorous, but it comes with its own set of surprisingly relatable routines. Haircuts, hygiene, teamwork — they’re all part of what makes this extraordinary place feel just a little bit like home.
đź’¬ What part of life in space surprised you the most? Could you go months without a shower or a fresh haircut?
👉 Share your thoughts in the comments, tag a friend who loves space, and don’t forget to follow for more behind-the-scenes stories from the edge of space!
đź”— Explore more about daily life aboard the ISS on NASA’s website
đź”— Learn how space hygiene tech is shaping future missions
