European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot shared the step-by-step process on June 6 from 250 miles above the Earth aboard the International Space Station. (ESA/NASA via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
An astronaut has given instructions on how to wash your hair in space.
European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot shared the step-by-step process on Wednesday, June 4, from 250 miles above the Earth aboard the International Space Station.
The 43-year-old Frenchwoman demonstrated how special space shampoo, developed by NASA, is applied to hair floating in microgravity.
She also explained how any tiny water droplets left floating around would be recycled into drinking water.
Sophie said: "I grab this little container of water first and apply some water. I massage to make sure there is water everywhere.
"I take the shampoo. It's a non-release shampoo that NASA found for us.
"I massage all of the head and all of the roots. I have one old towel here because I want to minimize the amount of water I use.
"I'll do a final rinse, but this time I'll use another towel which had only water and not soap.
"All the humidity in this will be recycled into drinking water.
The 43-year-old Frenchwoman demonstrated how special space shampoo, developed by NASA, is applied to hair floating in microgravity. (ESA/NASA via SWNS)
"And here we don't have a hair dryer, so just leave them dry on their own. That's it. This is how I wash my hair in space."
NASA developed no-rinse shampoo specifically for astronauts, which requires minimal water and doesn't create floating droplets in microgravity.
The "non-release" formula means it doesn't need rinsing with running water, making it ideal for space where water conservation is critical and free-floating water droplets could damage equipment.
Sophie has been in space since arriving at the International Space Station on February 14.