Dry skin brushing may be the single most important therapy you add to your detox program. Your skin is your largest elimination organ. It releases a pound of waste each day and will be the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity.
The skin eliminates a quarter of the toxins from the body. Dead skin cells 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 organs.
Exfoliating the skin is great for creating radiant and vibrant looking skin. It is also essential for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion. Here is a list of the many 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. 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.
- Reduces cellulite. This requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results, but you are worth it. 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 toned 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.
- Nurtures your body. Maybe one of the most important benefits of this practice is purely the pleasure Spend this time, 5-15 minutes per day, giving your body the attention deserves.
- Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
- Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
- Dry and massage your favorite body lotion or oil from the Super Salve Company.
