Body brushing is a simple, inexpensive way to keep your body in tip top condition. Skin is the largest organ in the body and our biggest erogenous zone. It eliminates around one pound of waste products every day. Dry brushing it regularly improves circulation, skin quality, and helps prevent the build up of cellulite.
Benefits of Dry Skin Body Brushing
- Improves circulation in the blood and internal organs and opens pores, allowing the body to get rid of waste.
- Removes dead skin cells.
- Improves skin tone, tightness and softness.
- Helps the body clear itself of toxins in the lymph glands.
- Aids digestion.
- Helps to clear up skin irritations such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Helps older skin regenerate faster.
- Is invigorating and will set you up for the day.
Make it a daily routine - first thing in the morning before you shower. That way you can wash away dead skin cells and remoisturise your skin by using a good quality body oil.
Your Body Brushing Kit
You’ll need a natural bristle brush with a long handle for your back. You can also buy smaller brushes designed for the feet and softer ones for the face. Have a soft towel handy and a chair to sit in.
Five Minutes to Beautiful Skin
You don’t need to follow a set routine but it’s important to brush towards the heart to aid circulation and lymph drainage. Rather than seeing it as a chore you need to get over and done with, make it into a sensual ritual by using long, gentle strokes. It really does wake your body up and get things tingling.
Start by brushing along the soles of the feet. Do one leg first before switching to the other. Rub firmly in circles along the sole as the skin is quite thick. Be gentle around the ankle and top of the foot, as the skin is thinner. Slowly move up the calves, front and back of the knees, thighs, hips and buttocks. Regular brushing here will help break down cellulite and prevent the build up of toxins that cause it.
Brush in circular, clockwise movements around the tummy, keeping your stroke light around the breasts and décolletage, as the skin is thinner here. Gently circle the shoulders, neck, arms, armpits and back.
Use a facial brush with softer bristles to massage the face in an upward, outward direction. Scalp massage feels divine, as the scalp is full of nerve endings and this will help clear your mind.
Ideally spend 5-10 minutes doing this before a warm shower to wash away the dead skin cells. Finish with a blast of cold water to rev up your circulation and leave your skin glowing. While your skin is still damp rub in some natural essential oil. Geranium, bergamot and lemon are all invigorating.
You will see a big difference in your skin quality and tone after a few sessions if you keep up a daily brushing routine. It is nurturing for you and will lead to glowing, healthy skin.
References
The Cellulite Solution: A Doctor’s Program for Losing Lumps, Bumps, Dimples and Stretch Marks, Howard Murad, Piatkus, 2006.
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