Yes, you heard it correctly. There is a direct correlation between running and dandruff. And I am the proof. I'm sure the other factors could be the fact that it's the middle of winter and the air is extremely dry, taking a hot shower every day, or the fact that Herbal Essence is no longer suitable for my scalp, however the underlying issue here is running. I mean I never had to deal with dandruff before training for this oh so wonderful 100 miler. I've survived extreme heat, extreme cold, extreme wind, extreme rain and yet ever had dandruff. Now I say hi to it every day. Here's my rationale...
It's a Burnett trait to sweat... alot. Much more than the average human being. So, when I run I dehydrate myself and moisturized skin comes from the inside out. See, I sweat out every ounce of liquid I have in my body within the first four miles of my daily run and then have to use my reserves after that -- and the reserves apparently are used to keep my scalp moist. No reserves equals dry scalp. Dry scalp equals dandruff.
Plus, due to my excess sweating, it is pertinent that I take a shower immediately following the completion of my workout. And since it's winter, obviously that shower is going to be hot. Not only do I take a shower, but I have to wash my hair everyday and I already have dry hair. On top of all this, I have to blow dry my hair every time because it's negative thirty degrees out, which does not pair well with wet hair. All in all, not the best combination of ingredients. Dry hair, daily hot showers and blow drying my hair equals dry scalp. Dry scalp equals dandruff.
The worst day for my dandruff is Tuesday. Tuesday equals dry scalp. Dry scalp equals dandruff. No but seriously, Tuesday is the worst day for my dandruff because it's my double day. Meaning, I run twice... for example yesterday I ran seven miles in the morning and five miles in the evening. After my morning run on these days I shower but don't wash my hair. I mean, why would I wash my hair when I am just going to work out again in five or six hours. But since I'm a Burnett my hair is wet from sweat, so it dries and gets all crusty (so appealing, I know) which dries out my scalp. Then I sit with crusty hair and a dry scalp for six hours before hopping back on the treadmill, running for 45 minutes then taking a hot shower where I wash and blow dry my hair, before walking out into the -35 degree dry Minnesota winter air. Double days mean hanging out with sweaty crusty hair which equals dry scalp. Dry scalp equals dandruff.
Bottom line, there is a direct correlation between running and dandruff.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete