Dry Skin Brushing

Dry Skin Brushing

Your skin is your largest elimination organ. It can release a pound of waste each day and will be the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity.

The skin is often called the 3rd kidney because it eliminates a quarter of the toxins from the body (the lungs are the 2nd kidney). If your skin cannot efficiently release toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odor, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution (including dirt and skin care products) can build up and clog your pores. Clogged pores inhibit your skin from effectively releasing toxins.

If toxins are unable to escape through the skin they will either be stored in fat cells, contributing to cellulite and other fatty deposits, or they will be re-circulated back into the blood stream, overworking the kidneys, liver and other detox organs. Dry skin brushing can have a huge overall impact on your whole body health. 

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

Everyone knows that exfoliating the skin is great for good looking skin. But did you know it’s also an essential tool for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion? Here is a list of some of the benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system is an important part of your cleansing and immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its 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 tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system.
• Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. 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 your system is clogged, you may experience foul body odor and extra work is put onto the bladder, kidneys and liver. With regular exercise and cleansing the skin, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells. However, with increased detoxing on your whole body cleanse, you may find it gets worse before it gets better.
• Reduces cellulite. 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.

Selecting a Dry Skin Brush

Choose a brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap for using the brush without the handle. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will acclimate to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning.

How to Use Your Dry Skin Brush

1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
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 their a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
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 and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cacoa butter.

Gary Rumel, Corrective Therapist
Fitworks Corrective Therapy
www.fitworksutah.com