Our skin is an external reflection of what’s happening internally in our bodies, of both the good and the bad.
For certain individuals consuming fried food or dairy may result in acne, while others can have skin redness and flushing with alcoholic beverages. In our practice, we see a correlation between liver struggles and frequent skin outbreaks in the forms of eczema and acne. It stands to reason that we need to take care of our internal health in order to look healthy on the outside. This is one area where dry brushing can help.
The skin is one of the major organs of elimination in the body. By keeping the skin free from dry, dead skin cells, efficiency of the skin to remove wastes from the body is enhanced. Skin brushing has been practiced in many cultures over many years as part of a daily hygiene routine.
Dry brushing to many can feel like you’re not doing much. Some view it as skin exfoliation, but it’s so much more than that! One board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, says the technique can be used for improving circulation of blood and lymph in the body while also promoting an increase in collagen, aiding in smoother and plumper skin. She also uses the technique to help skin products work better because, “You’re taking away another barrier of dead skin cells, so any product you’re going to use is going to penetrate and work better”.
Your lymphatic system is a channel of the immune system responsible for movement and elimination of toxins, allergens, pathogens and cellular waste. Dry brushing works by stimulating this system. When stimulating blood flow to desired areas of the body in specific directions, you can increase more nutrients, antioxidants, oxygen, and cell turnover to the skin for healthier skin.
By using a dry brush, you can eliminate pore congestion and surface imperfections, resulting in a more uniform texture of your skin. Dr. Nussbaum explains that dry brushing reduces surface imperfections by removing dead skin cells to promote the growth of new skin cells, resulting in a more uniform texture overall. It also removes debris and impurities that have become lodged in the pores as a result of the accumulation of epidermal cells.
Benefits of Skin Brushing
- Assists skin exfoliation and removal of waste: Removal of dead skin cells opens skin pores, allowing for efficient removal of waste products.
- Decreases the quantity of bacteria on the skin surface: Bacteria are normally present on the skin surface. Layers of dead skin provide a habitat for them to flourish, resulting in a toxic load of bacterial debris that the body needs to handle.
- Enhanced lymphatic drainage: The lymph system removes waste fluids and is an important component in the circulatory system. Skin brushing invigorates the lymphatic drainage and its effectiveness in eliminating waste.
- Enhances and supports venous system: By helping the veins move blood from the extremities back to the heart.
- Improves the movement of nutrients and oxygen into the skin: By enhancing the lymphatic and venous drainage, skin brushing improves the movement of nutrients and oxygenated blood into the skin.
- Improves skin tone, especially in aging skin: By removing dead skin cells, stimulating the surface oil and sweat glands and enhancing circulation, the tone and suppleness of aging skin is enhanced.
How to Dry Brush
Applying a dry brush to clean skin is advised for optimal outcomes. It’s important that both the skin and brush are dry, so if brushing after bathing, be sure to allow time for skin to be completely dried. Gently brush your skin in a circular, upward motion for thirty seconds using a wooden brush with soft bristles. Light motions are best to prevent skin irritation. When finished, your skin will tingle, but do not brush so hard that your skin is bright red and irritated.
After finishing the dry brushing pattern, use your regular moisturizer, serum, oil, or lotion, and watch as your skin reveals all of its amazing advantages. We recommend the Kari Gran Bath and Body Oil as a great non-toxic, organic choice to instantly nourish, calm, and moisturize skin. As any body exfoliation tool can hold bacteria and dead skin cells, it’s important to clean the brush with warm water and non-toxic soap after dry brushing.
It’s important to remember to start slow, especially for those with sensitive skin. Start with a once weekly practice for less than a minute, and work up to every other day. It’s not recommended to brush more than 5 minutes. It’s also recommended to avoid the face, areas of active rashes, open wounds, or areas with known skin malignancies.
Don’t be surprised if you have some changes in the way you feel, and even smell, when you start integrating this practice into your routine. Often patients report more sweating and more digestive movement when they get started! This is a reflection of more detoxification pathways starting in the body.
Step-by-Step Directions:
There are a few traditional methods from different cultures, but one rule remains, use gentle but firm strokes always in the same direction- towards the HEART for the upper body and towards the THIGH CREASE for lower body.
Method 1, bottom to top:
- Brush from your toes towards the center of your body, as this is the direction of venous and lymph flow toward your heart.
- Brush lightly up your stomach and lower back making sure to include your buttocks
- Brush both your arms from your fingers to your shoulders in short strokes toward the center of your body
- Lightly brush your shoulders and upper back toward the center of your body
- Lightly brush the back of your neck downwards
Method 2, top to bottom:
- Brush from the bottom of your head down your neck
- Brush along the top of your chest towards the center of your body
- Brush along your hands and brush up your arm towards your arm pits
- Brush around the breasts (starting under the arm pit and wrap towards the middle of your body and up to the center)
- Brush from your belly button up towards your heart
- Brush bellow the belly button down towards the crease of your thighs
- Brush up your back and buttocks
- Brush around your upper thighs towards the crease of your thighs
- Brush from your feet up both legs towards the crease of your thighs
An experienced medical aesthetics provider can guide skin treatment options. Our licensed physician offers comprehensive aesthetics consultations and free discovery calls. Learn more about Natural Medical Aesthetics and the aesthetic services that we offer in Meridian / Boise!
