BENEFITS INCLUDE
- Dry body brushing helps shed dead skin cells and encourages new cell renewal, which results in smoother and brighter skin. It can also help with ingrown hairs.
- Dry Skin brushing assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. By releasing toxins, it encourages the body’s discharge of metabolic wastes so the body is able to run more effectively.
- Dry skin brushing rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin.
- Dry skin brushing helps with muscle tone and gives you a more even distribution of fat deposits.
- Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores.
- Dry skin brushing improves skin tone and reduces cellulite.
- Dry skin brushing helps blood flow, Increasing the circulation to the skin.
- Dry skin brushing helps to break down unwanted toxins for it to be released via the Lymphatic.
- Dry skin brushing aids in digestion and kidney functions.
- Dry skin brushing is one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective things we can do for promoting healthy skin.
IMPORTANCE OF THE SKIN
Think back to your human biology class and answer these questions:
What is the largest organ in the body?
What is one of the most important elimination organs in the body, playing a large role in daily detoxification?
What organ receives a third of all the blood that is circulated in the body?
When the blood is full of toxic materials, what organ will reflect this with problems?
What organ is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to shows signs of imbalance or deficiency?
Answer for all: THE SKIN
Good news – you don’t have to book an expensive spa treatment to reap the benefits of healthy skin; this one can be done at home. All you need is a natural bristle brush (not one made from nylon or synthetic materials). One with a long handle is also a plus, as it means you can reach all the hard to reach areas of the body.
HOW TO SKIN BRUSH
- Take a natural bristle brush
- Always brush on dry skin before bathing (do not wet skin or moisturise skin)
- You should only brush towards the heart. The lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it's important that you brush in the same upward direction
- Make long sweep upwards, (avoid back and forth, scrubbing and circular motions
Lower leg area: Start at your feet, systematically work up towards the top the body. All strokes should be towards the heart. firmly brush up from the feet, ankle and up to the knee, then repeat until you have covered the entire calf and shin several times.
Knee & upper leg area: When you have completed the lower leg, move up to the knee. the next set of stokes should run from the knee to the top of the thigh and over the buttocks. Repeat brushing the area several times.
Arms & neck area: Then brush both arms, from the wrist to the shoulder. The neck and shoulder area should be treated more gently as the flesh there is more delicate. Then work from the top of your arm, up and over the shoulder and gently up your neck to the base of your skull. Repeat brushing the area several times.
Stomach area: when brushing your stomach, use gentle circular strokes in a clockwise direction. This will follow the natural flow in your intestines. Repeat brushing the area several times.
Back area: Using a handle attachment brush the back upwards several times.
Washing: Ensure you shower to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities. you'll also notice a glow and smooth complexion.
Tip: alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation and bringing more blood to the outer layers of the skin.Then follow it up with moisturiser to nourish the skin. (personally, I'm a fan of Shea butter, Jojoba and Coconut oil)
PROCESS
The whole process should take 5-10 minutes. and afterwards you should feel invigorated. Your skin will tingle and you should feel quite warm as you will have stimulated and increased your circulation. after only a few occasions you will notice quite a difference in your skin, it will feel smoother, with softer texture, and the dry patches will have disappeared, just spend a little time each day and you will be pleasantly surprised or give it a try for 30 consecutive days for best results.
WHY ONLY UPWARD STROKES
All stokes should be towards the heart. The heart is a wonderful machine for pumping the blood down and out to all parts of the body, but both blood and lymph need extra help to work against gravity to return through the system. If you brush away from the heart, it may cause faintness or disrupt the normal flow. Each stoke should be long and firm.
HOW OFTEN
Dry skin brushing effectively opens up the pores on your skin. This is something you can and should be doing daily, even twice a day. Your skin should be dry, so the ideal time is in the shower before you turn on the water. Just a reminder, don't get the brush wet.
TYPE OF BRUSH
The bristles should be natural, not synthetic, and preferably vegetable-derived. The bristles themselves should be somewhat stiff, though not too hard. Look for one that has an attachable handle for hard-to-reach area like the back. You can also use a loofah or hand mitt made of natural fibres.
IMPORTANT
Skin should be stimulated and invigorated but not irritated or red after brushing.
Be cautious of softer and sensitive skin around the chest and breasts, and never brush over inflamed, irritated skin, wounds, sores, sun-burnt skin, or skin cancer.