Body Brushing 101

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Posted by hanlie | Posted in Health and Fertility | Posted on 07-02-2008

You can’t go to the spa every day. But you can give yourself a skin brush every morning – and it’s one of the best ways to take care of your skin. Some authorities say it can help get rid of cellulite.
Skin brushing – also called dry body brushing – is a simple technique that stimulates blood and lymph flow, exfoliates the skin and encourages new cell growth.This is a particularly useful tool during detoxing as the skin is one of the major organs of elimination.  When I brush myself some mornings it looks as if I’m sanding myself!  There’s a lot of fine “dust” coming off me!
Experts say skin brushing helps control cellulite by bringing nutrients and oxygen to the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). Although there are no blood vessels in the epidermis, the dermis is rich with blood vessels, and the epidermis receives nutrients and oxygen supply from the dermis.

All you need for skin brushing is a body brush with natural bristles.  It’s good to get a new one that’s never been used in the bath or shower.  They are not expensive.  I have one with a detachable handle that works very well.

Do not brush in the shower, but rather before you shower.  Brushing with water will dry out your skin, while dry brushing will soften your skin.

To brush your skin, start at you feet and sweep up the legs in long, light brisk movements. All skin brushing movements should be towards the heart, to encourage the return of blood and encourage lymphatic flow.

Pay particular attention to the cellulite-prone areas like your thighs. Brush your abdomen with a circular motion. It should take about three to five minutes, depending on how many strokes you give each spot.

Don’t be too rough. Overbrushing causes the skin to turn red and become irritated

Do it first thing in the morning when the increased blood flow will help wake you up, or before you take a shower.  Of course, the body’s elimination cycle is during the night, so this is when you will have the most dead skin cells and toxic waste on your skin.

Immediately after brushing I have my shower.  Once I’m clean, I turn the water on cold for about a minute, then back to piping hot for another minute or so and then cold again.  You can continue this for as many as seven repetitions if you have the time.  Always end on cold.

Hot and cold water therapy brings about better circulation, because the hot water stimulates blood flow to the surface of the body, while the cold water stimulates blood flow to the core of the body, thus bringing fresh blood to the organs and glands and all parts of the body! In other words, oxygen and nutrients in and toxins and pathogens out!

When you step out of the shower, you will feel warm and tingly all over your body.  You will be ready to conquer the world!  Really, the feeling is almost euphoric. 

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Comments (21)

rupasivanarayana said on 07-02-2008

Very informative…great read…will surely try this….am going to shop for a body brush this weekend….
Cammy said on 07-02-2008

Thanks for this post. I’ll have to give it a try!
Kelly said on 07-02-2008

Thanks Hanlie, I’m going to get one this weekend. Anything to make my skin soft.
Tigerlilly said on 07-02-2008

Fantastic! I was wondering what all the ‘skin brushing’ was. I’ll have to try and find a brush!

Hope your feeling great and ready for a new day!!
Chanda(aka Bea) said on 07-02-2008

I am so going to find a body brush today and give it a try. It sounds wonderful!
diana the scale junkie said on 07-02-2008

I bought a brush a few years ago when I first heard of this, I think I’ll pull it out and try to make this part of my new routine. My question, when I shower its at night after our evening walk and often I’m sweaty and my skin might be a bit damp from this, should I make sure I’m totally dry before I brush or can I brush when I’m a bit sweaty?
susie said on 08-02-2008

No scrub or lotions or potions? Just you and the brush?
You must feel so clean and pure..with the healthy eating, brushing and working out!!! Do you do your face?(maybe i missed that detail)
Twix said on 08-02-2008

Wow! I had no idea. I have never heard of this concept till now. Going to have to give it a try. Thank you for posting such informative, indepth info! :D

Grumpy Chair said on 08-02-2008

I bought a big skin brush to do this – I have an old Marilu Henner book and she does it every morning.

Thanks for the great information. Can’t wait to get my brush out and brush tomorrow morning.
swizzlepop said on 10-02-2008

I used to do this but somehow stopped. The brush is still in the bathroom hanging on a door knob. I think I need to start again, it does feel great. I also do the hot cold alternation but not as often as you do. I usually shower warm/hot and then do a final rinse with cold before getting out. It’s also great for your hair so be sure to include your head in the mix.
Thanks for the reminder on brushing! :)

thinkingwoman said on 12-02-2008

Thanks for the rundown on exactly how to do this! I have the brush and tried it a time or two but never got into the habit. I think I’ll dig it out and start doing it again.

Have a great week!

Valerie
Sally Parrott Ashbrook said on 12-02-2008

I think I may try this out! Thanks for suggesting it.
fals said on 16-02-2008

Hi,

found your information very helpful, I have liked your website and this page to mine, as I feel my clients will find this information very helpful.

Thanks alot.

Fals
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