Brush up! 3 reasons to try dry brushing

Why try dry brushing?

Our skin is our largest organ and shields us from exposure to the outside world, all while shuttling toxins out through our pores. And although there’s no definitive research that says we must dry brush, the practice has long been thought to improve the condition of our skin as well as our immune and lymphatic systems. So can we improve our health with a brush? Read on for a few reasons why you might want to give dry brushing a try.

Healthy Massage

To begin, dry brushing can provide a healthy massage. The practice is energizing and gets the blood flowing. It’s an excellent way to boost circulation, which is essential for healthy skin.

If your skin is sensitive, choose a brush with very soft bristles. Brush gently to avoid damage, and treat it as a few moments of soothing self care.

Detoxification

The skin removes a large amount of waste through sweat, and up to 1/3 of your body’s toxins can be excreted through the skin. Dry brushing helps to remove the top layers of dead skin cells along with the toxins that have been deposited onto those top layers.

Additionally, dry brushing stimulates lymph, the fluid responsible for carrying toxins through the lymph nodes and out of our bodies. Since the lymph travels the opposite direction of blood flow, brushing gently upwards (towards the heart) helps stimulate and assist the lymph system to do its job.

Renew and repair

To be healthy, skin needs to be exfoliated as well as moisturized. Dry brushing removes old layers of skin, and removing accumulated layers of dead skin cells allows new skin to grow. Exfoliating reveals new skin cells and opens pores, enabling the skin to repair damaged tissue. And although there are conflicting views, some people have seen positive results treating cellulite and loose skin with consistent dry brushing.

Keep in mind

If you’re dry brushing for lymphatic drainage, use circular, upward motions as mentioned and brush towards the heart. Be gentle and don’t use a harsh brush or do it hard enough to break the skin. Definitely don’t brush over wounds or burns. Finally, if you have a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, check with your health professional and don’t do anything that can aggravate your condition.

Give dry brushing a try

I hope you’ll try dry brushing. This energizing practice is an inexpensive and effective way to care for your skin and health, and a simple way to be your best, at every age!

This post is presented as informational entertainment and not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or disease. Always consult your medical professional before adding new regimens or anything new to your diet.

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