A woman from Chicago went to a routine hair appointment. That’s when the stylist explained to her that her dandruff was actually mold caused by air-drying her hair.
Honor Anne Bisagno (@honboncinnabon), who lives in Lincoln Park, shared this shocking experience in a TikTok video that went viral. The video was accompanied by a simple caption: “My hairstylist just told me there’s mold growing on my scalp and that it’s not dandruff.”
Her post quickly caught the attention of internet users, racking up more than 6.1 million views.
While viewers were stunned, some wondered whether the hairstylist’s claims were medically accurate.
Was she “put in her place” because of her hair care routine?
In a follow-up video, Honor explained that she had been seeing the same hairstylist for over six years to get highlights. This time, she had also asked for a haircut.
According to Honor, the appointment turned into a critique of her entire hair care routine.
She claimed that the hairstylist told her she wasn’t taking proper care of her hair and was damaging it in the process. In particular, the hairstylist allegedly claimed that mold was growing on her scalp because she wasn’t drying her hair within the recommended time frame.
The stylist reportedly claimed that Honor’s hair had become tangled due to an absorption disorder.
The criticism reportedly continued when the hairstylist advised Honor to throw away products from a brand she loved. She allegedly claimed that they left metallic residues in her hair and caused it to break at the slightest touch.
This experience sparked a debate among viewers: Had the hairstylist identified real hair care issues, or had she given her client misleading information?
What did a dermatologist say about mold in the hair?
Dr. Carlos, who identifies himself as a dermatologist, joined the discussion and disputed the claim that mold was growing on Honor’s scalp.
“Hello! Mold cannot grow on the human scalp. Yeasts, on the other hand, can,” he wrote, identifying Malassezia as a type of yeast that occurs naturally on the skin but can proliferate under certain conditions, thereby contributing to dandruff.
Healthline and Hairdressers Journal International consulted with renowned trichologists who also distinguish between the viral concept of “hair mold” and actual fungal and yeast-related scalp conditions. While certain fungi can affect the scalp and hair, this does not mean that mold grows simply because a person air-dries their hair.
The dermatologist did, however, acknowledge that sleeping with wet hair could aggravate preexisting scalp problems.
“Most dermatologists recommend not sleeping with wet hair, as this can worsen dandruff,” he explained.
He also refuted the claim about metal residues, stating that anti-dandruff shampoos do not leave metals in the hair. However, some formulas can dry out the hair shaft. He recommended treating the scalp with an anti-dandruff shampoo while using a regular shampoo suited to your hair type to prevent excessive dryness.
According to him, the combination of prolonged moisture and excessive dryness can make hair more prone to breakage.
Can a hairstylist diagnose a scalp problem?
Although hairstylists can recognize visible changes in the hair and scalp, identifying a potential problem is different from diagnosing its cause.
According to the American Institute of Trichology, salon professionals can observe issues such as flaking, redness, and hair breakage, recommend appropriate cosmetic treatments, and refer clients to healthcare professionals if necessary.
However, diagnosing scalp conditions is not part of a hair salon’s usual scope of practice.
A hairstylist may notice symptoms that warrant further examination, but determining whether they are caused by dandruff, a fungal infection, or another condition requires a proper medical evaluation.
@honboncinnabon
Is “hair mold” the latest viral hair care scare?
Honor’s experience comes as social media is paying close attention to “hair mold,” with viral videos raising concerns about letting hair air-dry and going to bed with wet hair.
Glamour UK reported in December 2024 on growing interest in the topic. Online discussions have fueled questions about whether sleeping with wet hair could promote mold growth.
But this alarmist term can be misleading. While certain fungal scalp conditions are very real, they are not comparable to mold growing on a person’s head simply because they let their hair air-dry.
It’s important to maintain a healthy scalp, but these viral warnings should not replace medical advice.
Subplot News contacted Anne Bisagno by email for her comments.
The article “A Chicago Woman Has Dandruff… Then an Expert Tells Her It’s Not Dandruff at All, but Something Much Worse: ‘Can You Get Mold from Letting Your Hair Air-Dry??’” was first published on Subplot News.
A woman in Chicago has dandruff, but an expert explains that it’s not dandruff at all—it’s something much worse: “Mold in the open air?”
