Revitalize Your Skin for Spring with Dry Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing is an easy way to help keep skin smooth, soft, and healthy. Dry skin brushing stimulates the sweat and oil glands, which decrease production with age, and helps stimulate collagen in the skin. Dry skin brushing also exfoliates the layers of dead cells, improving skin’s appearance (our skin's ability to shed the outermost layer of cells decreases with age), and can help break up areas of cellulite.

To use the dry skin brushing technique, use a natural bristled brush, preferably a long-handled bath brush. Note that it must be of natural bristles because nylon can tear the skin and disturb the electro-magnetic balance of the skin. Never wet your brush; dry skin is important as water acts as a lubricant and the beneficial affects of the friction are lost.

Using small circles, move your brush all over the bare body. As you move through each area, it may assist lymphatic flow to begin in the lymph node for that area, then work from the outer extremities towards that lymph node. Begin at the feet and work towards the heart to stimulate venous circulation. Do not brush the face or any tender or inflamed areas, but do brush the soles of the feet.

The brush may feel rough to begin with, so use gentle pressure until you become used to the sensation. Increase the pressure as needed. Dry skin brush at least once a day for best results.

It can also be helpful to follow dry skin brushing with a salt scrub (use ½-cup of sea salt or Epsom salt, add sufficient olive oil (you can also use sweet almond oil) to made a paste. Add a few drops of essential oil if you want). Rub all over the body, avoiding the eyes, mucous membranes, and any broken skin. Then rinse off in the shower.