Health Benefits of Dry Body Skin Brushing
Our skin is the largest organ of absorption and elimination. Many people exfoliate the skin on their faces regularly, but the truth is that your whole body could do with thorough and regular exfoliation. Skin that is clogged with toxins and dead cells cannot function properly because the toxins are not being eliminated. Since it is estimated that the skin elim inates over one pound of waste per day, skin brushing would be an excellent routine to add to your day. Dry skin brushing on a daily basis can provide numerous benefits, such as improved circulation, stimulating lymph drainage, stimulating hormones, and firming the skin.
• By increasing the circulation to the skin, you are encouraging your body to discharge metabolic waste.
• Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, which also helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
• Dry skin brushing helps your skin to breathe by removing dead skin cells, and opening clogged pores. Detoxification is performed by a number of organs, glands and transportation systems including the skin, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system and mucous membranes. Dry brushing stimulates the organs of detoxification to function more efficiently which has a myriad of benefits for the body:
1) Dry brushing cleans the lymphatic system. Lymph is part of our immune system and is made of white blood cells called lymphocytes and the interstitial fluid that bathe our cells, bringing them nutrients and removing their waste. All detoxification occurs first and foremost through the lymph. Our bodies contain far more lymph than blood, so you can see how important this is.
2) Dry brushing removes dead skin layers. Dry skin brushing helps shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cellular renewal. Dry skin can be a sign of detoxification; therefore it’s good to keep the process going by removing the dead skin daily. If this does not occur regularly, a buildup of dead skin cells and lead to eczema, psoriasis and dandruff, in addition to blocking the skin’s regular excretions like sweat.
3) Dry brushing strengthens the immune system. Dry skin brushing may reduce duration of infection and accelerate the clearing of toxins. It helps support the immune system during treatments for cancer and other chronic illnesses (but always check with your health care provider). By stimulating the lymph vessels to drain toxic mucoid matter into the organs of detoxification, we can purify the entire system. After several days of dry brushing, sometimes you may notice a gelatinous mucoid material in your stools. This is a normal sign that the intestinal tract is renewing itself.
4) Dry brushing stimulates the hormone and oil glands, thus helping all of the body systems perform at peak efficiency. The skin is your body’s largest organ. When improperly maintained, the elimination duties of the skin are forced upon the kidneys. So, give your kidneys a break—keep your skin clean and rejuvenated. Bathe daily and dry brush beforehand to help stimulate blood flow to the surface so toxins can more readily escape.
5) Dry brushing tones the muscles. Dry skin brushing helps muscle tone by stimulating the nerve endings which causes the individual muscle fibers to activate and move. It also helps mobilize fat and helps to even distribution of fat deposits. This is a great technique for those with limited mobility.
6) Dry brushing stimulates circulation. Our skin breathes! However for most people this vital route of detoxification is operating far below its capacity because it is clogged with dead skin cells and the un-removed waste excreted through perspiration. Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes. Increased blood flow begins entering the areas brushed and you will experience an increase in electromagnetic energy that helps you to feel energized and invigorated. By activating the circulation you also help prevent varicose veins.
7) Dry brushing increases skin functions. Dry brushing helps your skin respire by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health. When you brush, the pores of your skin open allowing your skin to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins. Clogged pores are not just a cosmetic concern. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health.
8) Dry brushing helps reduce cellulite. Improving cellulite is one of the main reasons people look into dry brushing. Toxins are often trapped in the subcutaneous later of fat cells just beneath the skin which contributes to cellulite (in addition to other health concerns). Cellulite is unattractive but also very difficult to affect. Dry brushing is a cheap and non-invasive way to improve the appearance of your skin in addition to the many health benefits it provides.
Always dry brush your dry body before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result of the brushing action. The brush should be dry and your skin should be dry. Ideally you want to brush from toes to neck because most of the lymph in your body drains to a central area near your collar bone.
The entire body should be brushed, including your back, but skip the face and scalp. Use long sweeping strokes starting from the bottom of your feet upwards, and from the hands towards the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction to help drain the lymph back towards your heart.
Note: Stroking away from your heart can put extra pressure on the valves within the veins and lymph vessels and over time may lead to ruptured vessels and varicose veins.
• Use light pressure in areas where the skin is thin and harder pressure on places like the soles of the feet. Don’t overdo it, remember this is not tile or grout but a living organ! • Skin brushing should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning. A thorough skin brushing takes about 10 minutes, but any time spent brushing prior to bathing will benefit the body. If you are feeling ill, increasing the treatments to twice a day can be beneficial. • Avoid sensitive areas like bruises and anywhere the skin is broken, such as areas of skin rash, wounds, cuts or infections. Also never brush an area affected by poison oak, poison ivy or sun burn. • For added benefit: Finish up with your regular shower and end with three hot and cold cycles. That means turning on the water as hot as you can take it for several seconds, then as cold as you can handle it, then hot, then cold for three cycles. End with either hot or cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bringing more blood to the outer layers of the epidermis. Or try a bath with Epsom salts or mineral-rich salts which also help encourage detoxification. • After getting out of the shower, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with pure plant oils such as jojoba, avocado, apricot, almond, sesame, coconut or cocoa butter. • Tap your brush over a trashcan to shake off dead skin cells. Each person should have their own dry brush, just like a toothbrush! Keep your brush in a dry area away from steam and potential mildew. If you do wash your brush with soap and warm water, rinse well and make sure it is thoroughly dried in a sunny area before use. • Some people have more sensitive skin so dry brushing may feel uncomfortable at first but your skin will adjust. Other people find it invigorating and love it from day one.
How to Dry Brush (Easy, Fast Instructions)
Begin with your feet and brush vigorously in circular motions. Continue brushing up your legs. Proceed to your hands and arms. Brush your entire back and abdomen area, shoulders and neck. Use circular counter-clockwise strokes on the abdomen. Use light pressure on the breasts and any other sensitive areas. Brush upwards on the back and down from the neck. Better yet, have a friend, spouse or family member brush your back.
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