Space

Why do astronauts' faces look puffy in space?

Faces puff in space because body fluids shift upward without gravity pulling them down. On Earth, gravity helps pull fluid toward the legs. In orbit, fluids spread more evenly through the body, so the face can look swollen and the legs thinner. The body adjusts over time.

Illustration of astronauts' faces look puffy in space for the question "Why do astronauts' faces look puffy in space?"
Public mode