Skin Brushing for Healthy Skin

Dry skin brushing is not only healthy for your skin, but for your entire body.  The skin is a vital organ of detoxification and has been called the "third kidney" for its important role in water regulation.  Every square inch contains hundreds of pores that help excrete toxins from the skin. 

It is a commonly recommended therapy in Naturopathic medicine due to its numerous health benefits:

• Stimulates lymphatic drainage making it a great way to detoxify your body on a regular basis. 
• Enhances blood circulation by increasing venous flow.
• Tonifies muscles and nerves of the skin having an overall relaxation effect on the body.
• Improves body temperature regulation.
• Exfoliates the skin, removing excess dead skin cells creating a healthy glow.
• Improves skin tone by stimulating collagen and elastin. 
• Great for reducing cellulite!
• Improves overall energy and vitality.

The best time to brush is either before your shower ending in it in a series of alternating hot or cold water, espom salt bath, or before you go to bed.  Use a natural fiber brush, brushing in the direction the body's lymphatic drainage.  It is important to "open" up areas of lymphatic drainage before brushing lymph into these regions.  Also, always brush the area that drains first to clear the way for the lymph below.  For example, brush the area under your armpit before brushing your chest or arms.  Brush your arms from your elbow to shoulder before wrist to elbow.  As a rule of thumb, start on the left side of the body.  Each area should be brushed 7 times.

Areas that should be avoided:

• Active cancer
• Varicose Veins
• Arthritis
• Open wounds, skin lesions, eruptions, or burns
• Sunburned skin
• Enlarged or hardened lymph nodes

To learn more visit: Vital Chi Skin Brushing

Special thanks to Dr. Thom and Dr. Beck for teaching me the importance of dry skin brushing!

Comments

[Skindulgence]

Valuable information! Looking forward to seeing your notes posted.

[Alexis]

Thanks for taking the time to write about this, it's very helpful information!

[Tobi Fistcher]

Hmm, so it's kind of like exercise for the skin, for health and youth. Anyway, this seems like a pretty handy thing to do... does it apply to all skin types? Sensitive skin can be tricky to treat, after all.