Improve your skin health

Why should you start skin brushing?

We've all heard that our skin "breathes." In fact it takes in everything we put on our skin everyday, from our lotions and perfumes to the air, dust and pollution we come into contact with in our day-to-day lives. Our skin is really like a mirror. It's a direct reflection of what's going on inside of our bodies and it shows us signs of our overall health. This is why taking care of our skin, the largest and more important eliminative organ in the body, is so critical to our overall health.

"Skin brushing will improve your skin's job of getting rid of internal garbage (over a pound of waste products are excreted through the skin every day)" Dr. Gillian McKeith. You can help with the elimination process by regularly body brushing. The gentle friction that is applied while dry brushing speeds up the rate at which toxins are expelled from the body, because it motivates blood cells and lymph tissue, two key physiological detoxification avenues. In short, skin brushing will not only renew and regenerate your epidermis, but it will also improve your circulatory system by encouraging your body's own discharge of metabolic waste from what you accumulate through the toxins we come into contact with. It will help bring blood to the skin's surface, unblock any blockages you may have, and it's excellent for stimulating the nervous system.

Skin brushing method:

To skin brush effectively, you need to buy a small, firm natural bristle brush (don't buy anything synthetic). I don't recommend loofahs or plastic sponge balls you see at the drug store or supermarket. These kinds of brushes will literally push toxins and dead skin cells back into your body.

You should know that skin brushing is not something you do in your bath or shower, but something you do when you're dry. Therefore, brushing is best undertaken just before you get into the bath or shower. Start by smoothly brushing the soles of your feet, working your way up your legs, then up the arms and down the back. All strokes should be long and brisk. Always brush upwards towards the chest or heart and avoid sensitive spots such as moles, warts, or broken veins. Never brush your face!

I recommend starting brushing once a week to get your lymph moving.

Benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Reduce the appearance of cellulite
• Cleanse the lymphatic system
• Strengthen the immune system
• Stimulates the hormone and oil-producing glands
• Tightens skin
• Stimulates circulation
• Improves the function of the nervous system
• Helps digestion
• Invigorates skin