Recently, I got together with a group of wellness experts. We were discussing the benefits of dry brushing and, I wanted to share what I learned with you.
Dry brushing is really quite simple, and the benefits are amazing. To put it simply, when your skin is dry, you brush your skin with a dry brush; pretty simple right?
Why I like dry brushing:
Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system which in turn helps move the lymph fluid. So it makes perfect sense to do it while I’m detoxing.
Beastly benefits:
- Increases circulation.
- Tightens and gives the skin a healthy glow.
- Exfoliates and removes dead skin.
- Assists the body in eliminating toxins by stimulating the lymphatic system.
Here’s what you’ll need:
You’ll need to purchase a natural bristle brush. You can check out the one that I am currently using here.
If you prefer, you can also use a smaller hand held brush or a loofah, it’s really up to you.
For a relatively cheap price you can find these items online or at your local health food store.
I really like the long handle on this brush.
Here’s how to do it:
Just like any other modality such as massage or acupuncture, there are a variety of ways to dry brushing, but it’s best to keep it simple. The whole goal is to get the lymphatic fluid moving. To do this, make long sweeping strokes, moving the brush gently towards your heart.
Depending on your circumstances, this will dictate where you will want to start. I personally like to start with my upper body because that is most affected area. It’s best to do this in the buff, so that your clothing does not get in the way. I do it in the morning before I hop in the shower. The shower will remove any dead skin after you have finished dry brushing.
I start at my neck, working my way down to my shoulders, back, chest and continue to move the brush down towards my heart. This is when the longer handle comes in handy. Next, I go to my wrists and up my arms again towards my heart.
Beastly tip:
Raise your arms up and gently sweep the brush under your arms and your arm pit area. This may sound silly, but it is a hot spot for the lymphatic system.
Some people like to start feet first, if this sounds like you, start at your ankles and work your way upward, hitting both the inner and outer thighs. Don’t forget the front and backs of your legs too. Again, gently work your way up towards your heart.
Using a long sweeping motion, I make sure to gently move the brush towards my heart.
Brush maintenance
I clean my brush once a week using my silver gel; I apply it liberally to the brush, let it soak in, and let it air dry. You can also use a gentle body wash and warm water. Just make sure to rinse the brush thoroughly and let it air dry.
I use silver gel for everything; I put it on my skin and I even use it to disinfect the lids on my water bottles; to learn more about silver click here.
For me personally, the bottom line is, it’s a cheap natural way to get the gunk moving through my lymphatic system and it makes it great for detoxing!
Take several minutes in the morning and give it a try. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.