Dry Skin Brushing

Dry Brushing is a self-care ritual that has been around for ages. This ritual of stimulating the skin by dry brushing has been used in several cultures from Ayurveda to ancient Egyptians, Romans, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Some Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing 

• Cleanses the lymphatic system

• Strengthens the immune system

• Tightens the skin 

• Tones the muscles

• Removes cellulite

• Stiumlates circulation

You will want a SOFT, natural bristle brush and using a light pressure is key. Too much pressure will close your lymphs so this is a time when more is not better.

The illustration below indicates which direction to brush. With the legs, start with the thighs, then go to the lower legs for full sweeps - always up towards the heart. Do the same with the arms. Brush the upper arms first, then full sweeps from the wrists towards the heart. And if you can’t get to the back area, no worries, every little bit helps.

Dry brush your body before you shower or bathe because you will want to wash off the impurities from the skin as a result from the brushing action. After brushing, take a hot shower (about three minutes in duration), followed by a 10-20 second cold rinse. Repeat this procedure three times. If the hot/cold showers are too extreme, a warm shower can be used.

Follow the shower with a good quality, organic oil. The pure oils are much more effective that creams or lotions but do require you wait a few minutes before dressing so as not to stain your clothes.

Once you give body brushing and body oils a try, you will see why it is so worth your time to add this into your self-care routine!