Skin is our body’s largest organ for toxin elimination, and dry brushing is an invaluable wellness trick that helps with many health issues, especially detox. What’s more, it can be done easily and enjoyably, costing nothing. Dry brushing also puts the body into a state of calm and healing, allowing an increase in the efficacy of the therapeutic ingredients of skin care treatments and creams. Here’s why and how to brush your way to beautiful.
SWITCH ON THE BODY’S HEALING
Our autonomic nervous system is rarely top of mind as we go about our daily activities, but the balance of this system provides our baseline of health and wellness. The ANS is made up of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which prepares the body for intense physical activity (the fight-or-flight response), and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which has the exact opposite effect, relaxing the body.
The PNS naturally switches off the active threat response and allows our bodies to regenerate and heal. Dry brushing stimulates the PNS response — the healing response — actively putting serious points in our “healthy” column.
BENEFITS OF DRY BRUSHING
Dry brushing helps to detox skin, boost circulation, exfoliate dead skin cells, stimulate lymph, improve digestion, improve the appearance of cellulite and remove waste.
DRY BRUSH 101
Here are the four steps in your DIY Drybrush Detox:
- Make sure to choose a firm-bristled, natural brush — never plastic, which can create micro-tears in the skin and open it up for potential infection.
- Brush your skin in a circular pattern, with firm (but not painful) pressure. Start at the feet and move in long, sweeping motions toward the heart.
- Brush for as long or as little as desired, usually two to 20 minutes. Your skin should be warmly pink after a session, demonstrating the stimulated blood flow, bringing nutrients to the surface and removing dead skin and toxins.
- Once you’ve brushed your entire body, jump in the shower and rinse off those toxins; don’t reabsorb them.Let the healing begin!
THE GOOD ADDICTION
Give dry brushing a try and you will probably get hooked. Just find a high-quality brush for under $20. What do you have to lose? The payoff is huge.Rebekah Kelley is the creator and founder of Virtue Skinfood, a wholistic luxury skin care line. For details, visit virtueskinfood.com or the Emerald Door Green Beauty Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland.
