Skin Brushing and Its Benefits

And my first introduction to skin brushing was about 20 years ago,  in a book entitled, 'Dr. Jensen’s Guide to Better Bowel Care '.  He explained that,

Dry brushing has been used for centuries by Scandinavians and Russians. More than 30 years ago, a Finnish doctor by the name of Paavo Airola prescribed skin brushing technique for his patients to detoxify, exfoliate and stimulate the skin.

What You Need to Know!

No soap can wash the skin as clean as the new skin that you have under the old. Our bodies make a new top layer of skin every 24 hours. Skin brushing removes the old top layer and lets this clean new layer come to the surface. The skin is one of the five main elimination channels of the body, throwing off about two pounds of toxic material each day in the form of perspiration. The skin has been called the third kidney because of it’s ability to rid the body of toxic waste material. Do not hinder the skin by using oils, creams or other noxious glop that serves only to clog it in the name of beauty. Instead, see what regular skin brushing can do for you.

Skin brushing is accomplished using a natural-bristle brush with a long handle to reach those hard-to-get-at-places. The whole body (except the face) should be brushed one half hour after rising and prior to the morning bath or shower.  You may wish to skin brush again before retiring for the night. Note the powder that comes off your skin as you brush. These are crystals of uric acid and other dried waste products that came out with the perspiration.

Always brush the skin when it is dry, and never expose the brush to water. Although the bristles may seem a bit stiff at first, this is because the brush is new and your skin is not yet used to the brushing. If you find the brush is too stiff, you may, just once, hold the bristles in hot water for no longer than one minute and no deeper than one-half inch. This will soften the bristles a little. However, it will not be long before you desire a stiffer brush! Your skin will love you for brushing it regularly, and you will love the way your skin feels and looks too."

• Dry skin brushing helps to shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture and cell renewal.

• Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes, which greatly aids the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the body rids itself of toxins, it is able to run more efficiently in all areas.

• Dry skin brushing also helps to tighten the skin because it increases the flow of blood. Increasing the circulation to the skin can also help lessen the appearance of cellulite.

• Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymph canals to drain toxic mucoid matter into the colon, thereby purifying the entire system. This enables the lymph to perform its house-cleaning duties by keeping the blood and other vital tissues detoxified. After several days of dry brushing, you may notice the gelatinous mucoid material in your stools.

• Dry skin brushing helps with muscle tone and more even distribution of fat deposits.

• Dry skin brushing also rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin.

• Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. Healthy, breathing skin contributes to overall body health.

• If you sit at your computer screen all day long will particularly take pleasure in the benefits of skin brushing. People who have inactive lifestyles or jobs usually experience stiff and sore necks and shoulders that reach even into their arms and down their spines and into their lower backs. Increased blood flow begins entering the areas brushed and you will experience an increase in electromagnetic energy that permits you to feel energized and invigorated.

• For women and some men concerns about cellulite, rather than liposuction surgery, try the natural approach with “dry skin brushing” techniques coupled with a nutritional balancing science program.
  

The Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing effectively opens up the pores on your skin. This is something you can be doing daily, even twice a day. Your skin should be dry, so the ideal time is in the shower before you turn on the water. Make sure you don't get the brush wet.

It is also great before going in the sauna.  It will help you sweat more easily and release more toxins.

You should only brush towards the heart. Making long sweeps, avoid back and forth, scrubbing and circular motions. Start at your feet, moving up the legs on both sides, then work from the arms toward your chest. On your stomach, direct the brush counterclockwise. And, don't brush too hard: Skin should be stimulated and invigorated but not irritated or red. 

The bristles should be natural, not synthetic, and preferably vegetable-derived. The bristles themselves should be somewhat stiff, though not too hard. Look for one that has an attachable handle for hard-to-reach spots, if necessary. You can purchase these brushes in health food stores or online.

Always clean your brush, at least once a week or more with a natural soap, such as Dr. Bronner's soap. 

You'll notice a glowy, smooth complexion. I love it because it's one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective things I can do for promoting healthy skin.

Below is an image showing you how to skin brush.

In the last 8 or 9 months I started the practice again and it feels great.  I highly recommend it to all my readers!

References:  HuffingtonPost

Josephine Certified Nutritionist. She earned and completed her certification in holistic nutrition and in Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and she is now practicing Hair Mineral Analysis and Nutritional Balancing Science to people all over the globe from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

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