Benefits of Dry Brushing

Benefits of Dry Brushing

I just came home from a week at the beach for spring break.  Playing on the beach every day, it’s hard to avoid getting some sun even when I put sunscreen on before I went out on the sand.  There was one day that I forgot to put sunscreen on my back and got burnt.  And now my back is peeling.  So to remove all that dead skin, I’ve been during dry brushing.  One of the techniques and habits I really try to get into during the summer months is dry brushing.  I should do it during the winter months.  My body could really benefit from it, but it’s easier to remember since the body is more exposed during the warmer months.  I have briefly talked about the benefits of dry brushing before, but I thought should give more information about it because I have seen how much it helps my skin when I do it consistently.  My back has a nice tan, and the the peeling almost gone from the dry brushing I’ve been doing.

Removing dead skin layers is just one of the benefits of dry brushing.  It makes your skin softer.  Sometimes I get little bumps on my arms, which I notice when don’t drink a lot of water or moisturize.  If I’m brushing my skin everyday, it helps those bumps to go away.  Dry brushing helps to unclog pores and excrete toxins that become trapped in the skin like pimples.  Do you get random body pimples? Dry brushing can help clear the oil, dirt and residue from pores.  Think of dry brushing as a natural way to exfoliate the skin.

Here are some other benefits of dry brushing:

1. Stimulates your lymphatic system.  Many of the lymph vessels run just below your skin and dry brushing helps to stimulate the normal lymph flow within the body.
2. Help to rid cellulite.  Cellulite is toxin accumulated in your body’s fat cells and dry brushing helps to break down the toxins.
3. Increases blood flow and natural hormones.  Every time I dry brush, it gives me a little burst of energy, which is a great way to start off your morning.

Make sure to buy a natural bristle brush with a handle so you can reach your entire back and easily brush the bottom of your feet.  Make sure you don’t get a synthetic brush or a brush that it too firm.  If you want a brush for your face, make sure to get one that is specially for the face because the bristles will be a little more delicate like this natural bristle brush for face.  If you can also purchase natural bristle brushes from your local natural food store.

How to Dry Brush

You can check my previous post about dry brushing, which has a great flow chart of brushing the body, along with other additional benefits of dry brushing.

1.  The best time to dry brush is in the morning before your take a shower.  When your body is dry, of course!  You don’t wet the brush, and you don’t wet the body.  Keep the brush dry and also store in a dry location.
2. I always dry brush right before I jump in the shower.  So, while your shower is warming up, get naked and begin brushing at the feet and brush toward the heart.
3. Always brush toward the heart, not away.  Same with brushing up your arms.  Brush up your stomach toward your heart.  But then brush down your neck and upper chest toward your heart.  Brush several times in one place and overlap as you go.
4. After brushing your entire body (don’t forget the bottom of your feet), then jump in the shower.  Sometimes if I have the time I will do cold water therapy, which also stimulates blood circulation.
5. After your shower, pat your skin dry and apply coconut oil.  Your skin will be so happy!

Have you tried dry brushing?  Have you seen any benefits of dry brushing?