Dry Brushing Helps Detox
We detox our bodies through several systems including the skin. The skin is actually the largest organ of the body and we eliminate waste through the pores of the skin. Each day we eliminate about a pound of waste through our skin. When the pores of the skin are clogged we absorb those toxins back into the skin. Exercise facilitates the elimination of toxins in many ways, including the action of sweating.
The skin also receives about a third of the blood circulated throughout the body. When the blood is full of toxins it may show up in the skin. The skin is the last organ to receive nutrients, yet it may be the first and most obvious to show deficiencies or imbalances.
We also release toxins through the lymphatic system. Dry Brushing is a great way to help the skin release toxins and stimulate the lymphatic system. Benefits of Dry Brushing include:
Increases circulation and possibly reduces cellulite. Cellulite is toxic and is stored in the fat cells, dry brushing helps to breakdown the toxins
Sheds dead skin cells and stimulates the growth of new ones
Stimulates acupressure points
Improves skin texture, making it softer
Helps control in-grown hairs
Stimulates the nerve endings therefore rejuvenating the nervous system
Improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, this encourages the discharge of metabolic waste
Improves muscle tone and encourages more evenly distributed fat deposits
Helps to eliminate clogged pores and absorb nutrients
It is best to dry brush in the morning and follow it with a shower. However if that does not fit into your schedule do it when it is convenient, but following dry brushing you should shower to wash off the loosened dead skin cells and toxins.
Dry brushing is simple, cheap, and does not take much time; 5 minutes!
Use a natural bristle brush or loofah
Start with DRY skin (i.e. dry brushing!) Wash them about once a week and let dry well to prevent mildew or mold
Start with feet and work your way up with gentle, circular motions
Work the circular movements up towards the heart (lymphatic fluid flows toward the heart)
The back may be brushed from the neck down (a brush with a long handle aids in this)
Do not “SCRUB” just gently apply enough pressure to feel invigorated, and be careful around sensitive areas! Do not brush over inflamed, irritated, sunburned or sore or cancer areas.
Shower after brushing. Alternating temperatures from hot to cold will continue to stimulate in invigorate skin increasing blood flow.
Follow with a healthy moisturizer or oil, coconut oil is natural and great for the skin (remember ideally we don’t put anything on our skin we wouldn’t put in our mouth!)
