Have you ever tried dry skin brushing? If not, you are in for a treat!
This is a Self-Care habits that is super easy to incorporate into a daily routine and extremely beneficial. I actually do it on a daily basis.
The idea behind dry skin brushing is to help the body get rid of toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system. We ALL can use a little help on that department.
“Dry” meaning not in the shower or bath, instead brushing on dry skin.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The skin is the largest organ in the body responsible for one-fourth of the body's detoxification each day. Making it a key player in elimination.
It plays a vital role in ridding the body of toxins and impurities.
Dry skin brushing is one of the best techniques to open up the pores of the skin, and to stimulate and detoxify the lymphatic system.
Fun Fact:
The skin is also known as the "3rd" kidney, with the lungs being known as the second.
HELPS WITH LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymph system does not actually have a pump. The lymph system and every cell in your body needs exercise, muscle contractions and massage, which dry skin brushing provides
Skin brushing helps us move lymph fluid around and aid the detox pathways carry out its important function of eliminating toxins and waste material.
Under normal circumstances, the skin eliminates more than one pound of waste products every day.
If the skin becomes inactive with its pores clogged with millions of dead cells and other debris, toxins will remain in the body. This puts undue stress on the other eliminative organs, mainly the kidneys and liver, making them increase their activity. Eventually, they become overworked.
Skin brushing helps exfoliate and invigorate our skin too. It increases our blood supply to the area bringing nourishment and oxygen. Dry skin brushing will not only help increase circulation and elimination of toxins, but it will also make a huge difference to the quality of your skin, which will look and feel healthier.
Dry skin brushing improves the surface circulation of the skin and keeps the pores of the skin open, encouraging your body to discharge metabolic wastes.
Benefits of dry skin brushing:
* stimulates the lymphatic system
* cleans toxins from the lymphatic system
* helps digestion
* stimulates circulation
* increases cell renewal
* strengthens the immune system
* tightens the skin
* removes dead skin layers and other debris collected in its pores
THE RIGHT KIND OF BRUSH
The brush used could be a long-handled, bath-type brush or a brush that you have a good grip on. It is essential that it contain natural bristles and not synthetic ones. Synthetic bristles will scratch the surface of the skin and are harsh and irritating. The brush should be kept dry and not used for bathing.
Thoroughly wash the brush with soap and water every couple of weeks.
HOW TO DO IT?
The body should be dry, and the brush should pass once over every part of the body except the face. Pay special attention to the areas behind the knees, groins, inner elbows and armpits.
The effects are not the same when done on wet skin since the later stretches the skin.
Brushing should be pleasant and soft, the skin should not become red. If it does, you may be brushing too hard.
There should be no back and forth motion, circular motion, scrubbing, or massaging - one clean sweep does it. Use long gentle, but firm, stokes. Imaging you are guiding circulation towards the abdomen with every stroke.
The direction of the brushing should generally be towards the lower abdomen. To brush the skin, use long gentle, but firm, strokes
* Start at the feet and legs brushing upwards to your groin.
* Then do your hands and go up your arms to the armpits.
* Then brush upwards on your buttocks.
* Brush down the neck, chest and trunk.
* Brush your lower abdomen towards the center.
* Brush across the top of the shoulders and upper back as the best contact with the skin is made that way.
* Do not brush your face.
* Brush the breasts very lightly, avoiding the nipples.
Additional information
If you haven't done skin brushing before, it is wise to start with only one pass over the skin's surface and gradually increase the number of strokes done during each skin brushing session. Too much stimulation can be too hard on the body.
And always use long gentle, but firm, strokes.
Remember that your skin should not turn red, which means the pressure on your strokes is too heavy. The idea is to stimulate and not to irritate the skin.
You may find large amounts of lymph mucoid in their stools a day or two after beginning skin brushing. This is the emptying out of the backlog of mucoid from the lymphatic system and is the effect of detoxifying the lymph system.
WHEN TO DO IT?
Ideally before showering or bathing, at least once a day, and twice, if you know you need extra detox help.
Great before any detoxifying activities that will make you sweat such as infrared sauna, hot baths, exercises.
WHY BEFORE ENEMA?
It is super beneficial to do "dry skin brushing” immediately before doing coffee enemas, aim for up to four passes over each body surface.
This stimulates the adrenal glands, so the lymph mucoid will pass into the colon. As soon as an enema is done, the channels for the flow open up, allowing some lymphatic detoxification to take place as well. Meaning the “crap will be escorted out!”
If beginning or in the hurry (who is not?), one time over the entire body is fine as well.
If you feel that you need some individual attention to deal with this feel free to apply for a complimentary Discovery Call to see how can I help you with your hair concerns.
Namaste!
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Isabela Fortes is a
Board Certified Holistic Health Expert, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner
Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher Level II
Certified Yoga Therapist
She teaches and work with clients in Southern California and Virtually anywhere in the world.
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