Can you imagine a daily routine that only takes five minutes, has amazing wellness benefits, is virtually free, makes your skin glow, and actually feels good? Dry brushing has been around for a long time, but this often easy-to-perform natural skin care routine is hardly practiced today.
Dry brushing helps unclog pores and excrete toxins that are trapped under the skin. Did you know that our skin is considered an organ? And as such, it is the largest organ in the human body. Since a third of the body’s toxins are excreted through the skin, this very large organ requires daily attention. The skin is also responsible for producing antibacterial substances to protect you from infections, and when exposed to sunlight, it helps your body produce much-needed vitamin D.
What is dry brushing?
It seems that dry brushing has been used for centuries by Scandinavians and Russians. Over 30 years ago, a Finnish doctor named Paavo Airola prescribed this technique to his patients to detoxify, exfoliate and stimulate the skin. It is part of Ayurvedic medicine and works by exfoliating the skin. Followers of this practice rub a brush over their skin in a particular way, and the brush is usually coarse with natural fibers. Natural fibers help get rid of dead skin and improve the skin’s ability to detoxify.
Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing
1. Exfoliates dead skin
During the teens and twenties, dry brushing is not really necessary because the skin renews itself automatically. However, as you age, it helps to exfoliate once or twice a week to help renew skin and slough off dead cells for fresher-looking, healthier skin. It is important to do this gently so as not to tear the skin. You don’t want to break down the protective layer of skin or irritate sensitive skin, which could get infected. Exfoliating too much can also dehydrate the skin, which is the last thing you want to do.
2. Stimulates the lymphatic system
The skin participates in the detoxification of the body, so it is important to keep it healthy so that it can do its job. However, if your skin contains too many toxins or dead cells, it may not be able to remove waste from your body as efficiently as needed. Dry brushing your skin can help your lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing toxins from the body and ultimately preventing you from getting sick. When inflammation builds up in the body, it can be difficult for the body to fight it. If the skin is healthy, it can help release these toxins so the body doesn’t have to work so hard to get rid of them.
3. Cellulite reduction
Everyone hates cellulite, yet it seems so hard to get rid of. Cellulite is the appearance of cottage cheese skin that is seen primarily on the legs, buttocks, stomach, and back of the arms. It is often caused by fluid retention, lack of circulation, weak collagen structure and increased body fat, in addition to hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, genetics, poor diet and toxicity. Cellulite is more common in teenage and adult women, but men can also suffer from it. Although there are many treatment claims, dry brushing can help stimulate cells and break down toxins under the skin, which can act as a natural remedy for cellulite and even reduce the appearance of stretch marks. .
4. Unclog pores
Over time, your pores can become clogged with dead skin cells, pollutants, and cosmetics. This forces the liver and kidneys to work very hard to get rid of impurities. Dry brushing your skin unclogs your skin’s pores and helps it absorb more nutrients, which promotes healthy skin and allows those toxins to release a little easier.
5. Stress Relief
Another benefit of dry brushing is that it is similar to massage in reducing stress, which is great for your health by eliminating anxiety. One study showed that whole-body massage was effective in reducing anxiety and stabilizing vital signs in patients with acute coronary disorders. Dry brushing is similar to massage in that it helps you relax, but it’s much cheaper since you can do it yourself. Much like a manual massage, dry brushing can provide natural stress relief. When you are less stressed, your body heals much faster from any disease-causing inflammation. Stress causes hormonal changes that can increase inflammation and trigger other problems. If you are stressed for a long time, it can be dangerous and increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, weight gain or obesity, mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, digestive disorders and even cancer .
It is therefore crucial to find ways to help eliminate stress. Dry brushing is an easy way to achieve this.
How to dry brush
Dry brushing is done in a few steps. With a little practice, you can enjoy this wonderful benefit and your skin will thank you. Not only will you feel better, but your skin will regain its youthful appearance.
Here’s how to dry brush:
Buy a natural bristle brush with a long handle so you can reach all areas of your body. Avoid synthetic brushes.
Remove any clothing and get into a tub or shower to catch any dry, sagging skin.
Do not wet the skin. Brush your skin dry while it’s dry.
Starting at the bottom of your feet, make long sweeping motions toward your core. If you move away from your heart, you risk putting extra pressure on the valves of the veins and lymphatic vessels, which can cause ruptured vessels and varicose veins.
Brush each area several times, overlapping them to make sure you don’t miss one. Pay attention to the most sensitive areas, such as the breasts. You may want to avoid the nipple area. It may be more sensitive the first few times, but your skin will become less sensitive with regular dry brushing.
Once you’ve brushed your entire body, get in the shower and bathe as you normally would.
After showering, pat your skin dry and apply a natural oil like rosehip, olive, or coconut oil all over your body.
Precautions to take
1. Sensitive skin
At first, test a small area to make sure you’re not overly sensitive to the activity. Then, drybrush the whole body once a week. Once you feel comfortable with the process and confirm that it is not causing you any irritation, you can dry brush your entire body several times a week. More than that can cause dehydration. Also, by removing the outer layer, you take away the much-needed protection your skin provides, so it’s best not to dry brush too frequently.
2. Be gentle
It is important to be gentle when dry brushing. You don’t want to break the skin and cause further inflammation. Also, make sure your brush has soft bristles. It should be pleasant to the touch.
3. Brush towards the heart
Brush towards the heart to avoid putting pressure on the valves of the veins and lymphatic vessels.
4. Relax
It is important to reduce stress. Relax, don’t be in a hurry and enjoy this moment for yourself.
5. Clean your brush
Clean your brush with soap and water at least once a week and let it air dry to prevent mildew from building up on your brush.
