Dry Skin Brushing
- What exactly is dry skin brushing?
- Why do I need to do that since I scrub in the shower?
- Doesn’t it hurt?
- How can I add one more health practice to my day?
What is it?
Dry skin brushing is an easy, fast, no-cost way to keep your skin soft and youthful and enhance your inner glow! It assists the whole body in detoxification, and the light touch stimulates lymphatic flow for immune system health. You can do it on your way to bed at night in a minute or less!
The Functions of the Skin
Your skin, aside from being one of your organs of detoxification, is also the second largest organ in your body. Oftentimes, it appears to be the first to show degeneration or imbalances and the last to heal.
It weighs almost twice as much as the liver or brain and it receives one third of the circulation of the blood. Its functions include:
- Works as a protective shield to the body structure
- Helps to regulate body temperature
- Works as a respiratory organ like the lungs
- Absorbs essential nutrients
- Aids in elimination of toxic wastes from the body
Detoxification through the Skin
The skin is called the third kidney. It works in conjunction with the kidneys in water regulation. Interestingly, perspiration and urine are chemically very similar, both containing substantial amounts of uric acid, an important waste product of metabolism.
A primary function of the skin occurs through the activities of its pores. Every square inch of the skin contains hundreds of these pores; all of which are made up of tiny muscles that must be exercised to rid toxins from the body.
Health through Skin Brushing
Daily dry skin brushing can help keep your skin healthy, vibrant and efficient. It can:
- remove dead skin cells
- cleanse the pores
- stimulate the hormone and oil-producing glands in the skin
- help keep the skin soft, supple and youthful
- help improve circulation (thereby aiding the entire body)
- help improve muscle tone
- have an important influence on the nervous system through stimulation of nerve endings
- assist the body in removal of toxins
- therefore, generally help improve health and vitality
How is it different from using a brush in the shower?
Dry skin brushing, when done before bed, has the power to amplify the body’s natural rhythm of detoxification during sleep at night. The gentle strokes towards your heart bring back lymphatic fluids from the extremities to central circulation, and therefore bring back toxins to the liver and kidneys so they can be processed for elimination.
During a hot shower, the blood vessels underneath the skin are dilated, and the pores are opened and the surface of the skin is washed clean. Lymphatic flow is stagnated by the heat, and washing usually is not in a direction to stimulate any lymphatic flow.
PROCEDURE:
Use a natural sponge, vegetable sponge, loofah sponge, or soft natural bristle brush.- Ideally, dry brush every evening before bed.
The second best time would be before your shower. - Brush for 45 – 60 seconds, covering the entire body.
- Start brushing from the soles of your feet, and work your way up your legs, your front, and your lower back. Use short overlapping strokes, always heading towards your heart.
- Then start again at the tips of your fingers, the palms of your hands and progress up the arms, to the chest and upper back, always moving progressively towards the heart.
- You may include your scalp and neck, but avoid the face and other sensitive areas.
- Voila! In 60 seconds you are glowing and done!
- Cleanse the brush every few days to a week with soap and warm water.
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“Naturopathic Physician Dr. Cheryl Kasdorf is a doctor who listens and has answers with a natural approach that works. She is known as the go-to person to get back your get-up-and-go when it is gone, gone, gone. Get her FREE gift “Dr. Kasdorf’s Health Secrets for Feeling & Looking Great” at drcherylkasdorf.com
