Conan O’Brien explains viral hairstyle change caused by scalp sunburn

Comedian Conan O’Brien has addressed the public reaction to his recent drastic change in hairstyle. During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, O’Brien explained that the slicked-down look was the result of a scalp sunburn sustained during an outdoor event at the Obama Presidential Center.

O’Brien stated that after seeking treatment from a dermatologist for the painful burn, he was prescribed an oil treatment. Due to being in a rush to record an episode of his podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” with guest Molly Shannon, he applied the oil to his hair immediately before recording. He noted that his staff was surprised by his appearance, and he expressed surprise at the level of public attention the transformation received.