Quickie Wellness: Dry Brushing

The simple act of dry brushing, for just a few minutes a day, provides benefits that run far deeper than your skin…

This post has been repurposed from an FP original, Brigette Muller.

Whatever your beauty regimen, self care is an incredible thing to embrace. Enter dry brushing. If this isn’t a part of your daily routine, consider making it so.

On the outside, dry body brushing unclogs the pores and exfoliates the skin, leaving it looking brighter and feeling beautifully smooth and soft. On the inside, it stimulates the lymphatic system, helping to speed up the process of eliminating metabolic waste from the body. Additionally, it increases blood circulation to the skin, which helps to release toxins from within, as well. Body brushing also helps to soften fatty areas beneath the skin – and that, coupled with the toxin elimination, is actually thought to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. The feeling of the bristles on your skin stimulates your nervous system and feels awesome. Some natural health experts believe that the benefits can go as far as improving digestion, too. My favorite aspect, though? Dry body brushing undoubtedly soothes the mind. The gentle brushing motion can turn into a meditation in itself, helping to free your mind of unwanted stress and rigidity, and leaving you feeling pampered, happy, and excited for whatever the day may bring.

So, how’s it done? First, you need to get yourself a good body brush – go for one with natural bristles, as this will be much gentler on your skin.

Before you bathe, brush your entire body, starting with your feet and working upward with large, upward stroking motions. Make sure both your skin and the brush bristles are dry. Always brush toward your heart, as this encourages lymph flow to the main ducts of the lymphatic system. Avoid brushing your face (unless you have a brush specifically designed to do so), as well as any other sensitive areas. Use more pressure on the feet, legs, arms, and butt; and less pressure on the front and back of the torso. When you’re finished, your skin should have a nice pink glow, but should not look red or feel irritated. You can brush from two minutes to 1/2 hour – or more! Do what feels right for you. Follow each session with a shower or another form of hydrotherapy to rid your skin’s surface of any toxins that have been released.

It’s important that you set aside enough time to fully immerse yourself in this experience, rather than brushing whilst contemplating your next day’s to-do’s. Try your best to be present — put on soothing music, light incense, and do whatever you need to help yourself feel calm and at ease… this may just turn into your favorite part of the day.

+ Do you body brush? Let us know!

 

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Omg, you have no idea how long I’ve been wondering about dry brushing! This post taught me what I needed to clue up on!

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

Claire
7 years ago

Can you do this everyday?

7 years ago

Great article. I learnt to use a regular cotton terry wash cloth DRY and in circular motion all over body.
Starting w/face. It removes dead cells, for sure and blood rushes to skin surface.I will get the brush.

7 years ago

Thanks for the post! I’ve always been curious and now I’m definitely going to be trying out dry brushing now!