Dry Skin Brushing
There are many ways that we can help our body detoxify naturally, and one of them is by dry skin brushing. Detoxification is a process our body uses to rid itself of unwanted and sometimes harmful toxins. We can help our body with this process by dry skin brushing. It has been used for beauty and health by many historical civilizations including ancient Egyptians, Indians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Japanese, Scandinavians, Russians, Turks, and Native Americans.
Our skin is considered the largest organ of the body. It provides a barrier against harmful substances, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical toxins. Our skin is made up of nerves, glands, and cell layers that, when healthy, protects us. It also plays a crucial role in supporting optimal detoxification. If our skin is overrun with toxins or dead skin cells, it will not be able to eliminate waste from our bodies efficiently. Dry brushing removes dead cells and can activate waste removal by way of the lymph nodes.
What is dry skin brushing?
Dry skin brushing is exactly what it sounds like, brushing dry skin in a particular pattern with a dry brush.
Benefits:
- Stimulates the lymphatic system. Lymphatic congestion can be a major factor leading to inflammation and disease.
- Exfoliation: dry skin brushing removes dead skin, improving appearance, clearing clogged pores which in turn, allows the skin to breath.
- Improves circulation which encourages elimination of metabolic waste.
- May reduce cellulite because if softens hard fat deposits below the skin while distributing fat deposits more evenly.
- Stress relief, it has been described as meditative and may reduce muscle tension, calm your mind, and relieve stress. It has been compared to a light whole-body massage. Who doesn’t like that?
- Improves digestion and kidney function.
As you can see, dry skin brushing can be quite beneficial to your overall health.
How to dry skin brush.
To properly dry skin brush, you will need a high quality brush made from natural material. A long handle can be helpful for hard-to-reach spots. This brush could be a great option because of the removable handle.
Now that you have a brush, you will want to dry brush before you shower so dead skin cells will be washed away.
- For best results, you want to always brush toward your heart. This is best for circulation and the lymphatic system.
- Start at your feet, work your way up your legs; use circular strokes on your ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and stomach. When brushing your stomach, go clockwise as this works with the intestines by moving residue toward the colon. For the arms and legs use long, sweeping strokes.
- Avoid sensitive, delicate areas such as the face, neck, genital area, or any skin that is sensitive or has open cuts, rashes, etc. This also includes areas with varicose veins.
- The pressure should be firm but not painful; your skin should turn slightly pink NOT red.
How often you dry skin brush will be different for everyone. Some recommendations suggest daily, others weekly, or maybe you have pretty sensitive skin and would only want to do occasionally. We each are individuals, with our own health status to work with. If you would like to learn more about healthy skin, check out these posts: Our Skin and What it Absorbs, Snacks for Health Skin, and Did Your Skin Survive the Summer?.
I would encourage you to give dry skin brushing a try to help your skin detoxify; we are all exposed to many toxins in some form or another. The body has an awesome ability to heal if given the opportunity. Do you dry skin brush? If so, what positive results have you experienced?
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Sources:
- https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/24/dry-skin-brushing.aspx
- https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/dry-skin-brushing-downside/
- http://www.dermalinstitute.com/ir/library/112_article_The_Benefits_of_Dry_Body_Brushing.html