Dry Skin Brushing: Firm Your Skin, & Make it Naturally Glow!

 Who doesn't enjoy beautiful healthy skin? Dry skin brushing is an easy method of cleansing that can be added to your everyday routine. It feels truly refreshing, and is a great way to replenish new skin cells and stimulate the lymphatic system. Enjoy it often and watch your skin glow, shine, and transform like magic before your eyes! Read some of the benefits of skin brushing below, and follow the steps to achieve more radiant skin :) 

I love skin brushing in the mornings, before the gym, or before a shower!

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing: 

• Stimulates Blood and Lymph Flow: The lymphatic system is an important part of our cleansing and immune system. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to  cleanse and restore all of our cells. In order for it to function properly though, the fluid needs to be returned to the blood vessels to dump the waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart. If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough, we end up with swollen & sore muscles

• Removes Dead Skin Cells: Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging our systems. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells

• Stimulates the Hormone and Oil Glands: With daily brushing and bathing, the skin can produce the oil needed to stay healthy. Sweating is an important part of detoxification, but when our systems are clogged, we may experience foul body odor and extra work can be put onto the bladder, kidneys, and liver. With regular exercise and cleansing of the skin, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells

• Reduces Cellulite: It requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite

• Strengthens the Immune System: Dry skin brushing can reduce the length of infections and illness by moving the toxins more quickly through the system and stimulating the lymph to move waste matter out

• Stimulates the Nervous System, Tones the Muscles, & Tightens the Skin: By stimulating nerve endings in the skin, this technique will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibers, resulting in toner muscles. The increased blood flow to skin, and removing of dead cells, stimulates the creation of new skin cells which tightens and regenerates overall skin health

• Nurtures our Bodies: One of the most important benefits of skin brushing is the pleasure of nurturing the body. Learning to love our bodies is essential for being able to lose weight, and to heal any diseases. Spend 5-10 minutes per day giving the body the attention it craves and deserves. It works hard to support us, so it is definitely worth our efforts

Where to Find & How to Use a Dry Skin Brush:

You can find skin brushes at most health stores, or even online. A lot of brushes will be a bit rough at first, but once you work with them for a while they will soften. Try to avoid brushing your face (unless if you use a dedicated brush with softer bristles for that purpose). Follow these steps for beautiful skin!

1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the mornings
2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes
3. Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate on those areas a bit longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like the breasts, and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet (as you begin, you will be able to feel out the more sensitive areas on your body)
5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart
6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound
7. Finish by taking a shower 
8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive, jojoba, or cacoa butter.

This post is written by Michael 

Adapted from:

Skin Brushing 

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