5 Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

Have you heard of dry brushing?

This ancient technique is becoming popular in health circles and is recommended by naturopaths, massage therapists, and other holistic practitioners.

It is a very simple act of brushing your skin with a natural fiber brush. Usually the brush is made from a course but all natural fiber like tampico, which is an agave plant, and a handle of beechwood. Here is the one I use.

How to do it: 

1. Just before you get in the shower or bath, grab your handy dandy brush!
2. Starting at your feet, gently brush your dry skin upwards. I start at the ankle and work up to the knee, and then around the thigh brushing up towards my hips, giving good attention to my butt(you'll find out why later on). 
3. Continue to brush up your stomach towards your chest. Always brushing towards your heart.
4. Then brush from your wrists up to your shoulders. 
5. And then your shoulders and neck area down towards your heart. 
6. Skip your face! The brush is too rough. 

The amount of pressure should not be painful or actually scratching your skin. You want it gentle but not too much so. You will learn a good balance.

Why should you be brushing your body with a dry rough bristle brush? 

5 Health Benefits of Dry Brushing

1. Get rid of that dead skin! Dry brushing will help remove that layer of dead skin before you get in the shower and help you have a closer shave, but also will help clear out pores. Removing that dry skin also helps the appearances, no more dullness! 
2. Get your lymphatic system working! Did you know you have miles and miles of lymphatic tubes running throughout your body? Dry brushing will help to stimulate your lymph glandes to get pumping and dump those toxins out of your body. You lymphs could use a little support! 
3. REDUCE CELLULITE! yes you read that right! I am no scientist so here is a quote from Self Magazine on how it works: "Because dry brushing helps eliminate toxins, many pros claim it can smooth those unsightly lumps and bumps for good. Annet King, director of global education for Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute, says the procedure helps remove “stagnant toxins” that break down connective tissue, leading to cellulite."
4. Improve your digestion! Our skin is pretty amazing and this simple act of dry brushing will actually go deep enough to move the toxins out of your body faster, which will help to strengthen your kidney function and give you better digestion too. 
5. Wake You up! Tired? Just woke up? This is an amazing way to get your day going the right way! Not only will you feel great knowing you are detoxing you skin, you have glowing skin, and the act of actually dry brushing will stimulate all those nerve endings and wake you up! Then you can get in the shower, wash off that dead skin and toxins and have a fabulous day! 

Here is a great image from Smart Living Network that helps you see which direction to brush. 

If you have any questions you can comment below or on Facebook. I would love to hear your feedback, try it out and let me know your experience is like! 

~Kayla