Dry Skin Brushing

By: Rachel Mork

Your skin is your largest organ, stretching over the entire surface of your body.  It is responsible for eliminating waste through sweat every day. Dry skin brushing is considered a valuable part of detoxification efforts, since brushing the skin stimulates so many detoxification processes.

First of all, dry brushing aids in exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and stimulating the growth of new skin cells. It also stimulates the circulation of blood, helping your body detoxify both through the skin and through the kidneys and elimination system. Dry skin brushing advocates claim this technique also stimulates the lymphatic system, removes cellulite, tightens your skin and helps with digestion.

To properly detox your body, purchase a natural bristle dry skin brush. Make sure it will not scratch your skin, since you want to gently stimulate it, not scrape or scratch the surface in any way. You will want to purchase a brush with a long handle so you can reach all areas of your body.

Remove your clothing and gently brush your skin, being careful not to break the skin in any places. Brush softly and carefully, starting with the soles of your feet and then moving up your legs.  Brush your buttocks, back, abdomen and chest, finishing with your hands and arms. Direct your brush strokes towards your heart because this will direct lymph towards your heart with the exception of  brushing your stomach.  On your stomach, use circular counter-clockwise strokes.

Vary the pressure used while brushing according to the thickness and sensitivity of the skin in each area. It is recommended that you dry brush your skin once a day for about fifteen minutes. After brushing, rinse the brush and leave it out to air dry.

After brushing your skin, take a warm shower, finishing off with a cool rinse to close pores and stimulate blood circulation.

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