Dry Skin Brushing

I’ve known about dry brushing for years but just started doing it on a regular basis. This is an easy, inexpensive way to exfoliate the skin on your body with lots of health benefits. Forget the jars of expensive body scrubs or even making your own with salt or sugar and oils. The only thing you need for this technique is your dry body and a natural bristle brush. The brush I use has a short handle which I purchased for under $10.

How to dry brush:

Stand naked in the shower. The water is off and your body is dry.
Starting with the bottom of the feet, brush in a small circular motion with only the slightest bit of pressure so it feels good, but doesn’t hurt. Tops of the feet are next, then move up the legs one at a time, thighs, hips, butt always moving upward toward the heart. Move to the fingers, palms and tops of the hands brushing up the arms, under the arms, the chest. Be careful around the breasts and of course avoid the nipples. Starting at the waistline, do your small circles on the abdomen and stomach then move up the back, to the shoulders, back of the neck and even your scalp if you want to.

Don’t get hung up about the right or wrong way to dry brush.  Another way and a bit quicker is to use long, sweeping upward strokes instead of the circular motion.  Either way, the process should take no more than 5 minutes and is best done at least twice a week but can be done every day.

When finished brushing, turn on the shower and rinse away all those dead skin cells. I use very little soap following my dry brush routine.

Benefits:

• exfoliates dead skin cells leaving the body feeling smooth, soft and glowing
• stimulates and increases circulation
• helps the body flush out toxins through the skin
• stimulates the lymphatic function for improved health
• may help with cellulite

Give it a try.   Your body will thank you just in time for summer.

To your health and beauty!

-Sheila