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Body Brushing - Why you should get brushing!

20 July, 2014 - 09:18pm by - First Lady | 32 Comments

image: stock

Article by BR Natalie

If you've not heard of 'body brushing', then you are missing out on a simple, yet effective way to bring a multitude of benefits to your skin, body and mind.  I chatted with our resident Beauty Therapist Zoe to find out what you're missing out on!

What is body brushing?

It's exactly what it sounds like.  Using a dry, natural brush with stiff bristles, you brush your dry skin.  A body brushing session can last between 2 to 20 minutes, and should be incorporated in to your daily routine.  Now if you're thinking you don't have time to add another step in your day - keep reading, you're about to be convinced to find the time!

Why should I start body brushing?

The benefits of body brushing are huge. 

  1. It stimulates your lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating cellular waste and toxins from the body. There are hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules in the body, that remove waste from your tissues and transport it to your blood for elimination.  If your lymphatic system is sluggish, waste and toxins build up - and it can make you feel unenergised and droopy (technical term).  Stimulating your lymphatic system by body brushing in the right direction helps move lymph fluid into the lymph nodes so waste and toxins can be released.
  2. It increases your circulation.  Body brushing encourages the elimination of metabolic waste.
  3. It exfoliates your skin.  Body brushing removes the top layer of dry and dead skin, which makes your skin look healthy, feel smooth and unblocks pores as well as helping to remove and prevent ingrown hairs.  Body brushing will help your moisturiser become more effective at hydrating your skin.
  4. It reduces cellulite.  It's thought that by brushing your skin it can help soften and distribute hard fatty deposits under the skin, reducing the appearance of those dreaded dimples.  Combine this with the removal of toxins by stimulating your lymphatic system and you are packing a power punch against unwanted orange peel.
  5. It improves Keratosis Pilaris.  If you suffer from the often red, bumpy rash on the back of your arms, you're not alone.  40-50% of adults have Keratosis Pilaris.  Body brushing can help unplug the pores.
  6. It's a stress buster.  For many people who have fallen in love with body brushing, it's because it relieves tension in the muscles and helps calm your mind.  It's kind of like the effects of a massage, and who doesn't love the after-massage feeling?
  7. It feels good.  Seriously, even a quick session of body brushing can leave you feeling invigorated and energised.  No more cold showers to awaken your mind! 
  8. It's inexpensive.  Once you've invested in a brush, there's no further outlay.  Given the exfoliation, cleansing and smoothing benefits, body brushing eliminates the need for a range of products, saving you money. Or giving you more money to spend on makeup.  However you want to look at it.
  9. It enhances what products you do use.  Your pores will be open after a session, so any skincare or shower products you use will penetrate more deeply than usual.

Ok, I'm keen to give it a go. What do I need?

A body brush.  That is all.

Body brushes are reasonably inexpensive and when you consider them as an investment, they're worth their weight in gold.  For around $20 you can pick up a decent body brush from your local pharmacy or health store, that will last you years.

You'll probably want to choose a brush with a long handle so you can reach your back, but if you're quite flexible, round brushes that fit in the palm of your hand can be extremely effective and easy to control.

Whatever style of brush you choose, it's the bristles that are important to get right.  The bristles should be firm, short and tightly packed.  They should be made of natural fibres (like cactus), nylon or synthetic bristles are not the way to go. 

So how do I brush my body?

For body brushing to be effective you need to follow these simple directions;

  1. For optimum results aim to body brush daily or even twice a day if you like.  Bear in mind it really is invigorating, so it can be really beneficial as part of your morning routine.  If you're going to do it at night, avoid doing it too close to bedtime!
  2. Body brush on dry skin before you shower or bathe.  You'll want to wash away the dead skin cells and released toxins.  Your pores will be open after a session, so any skincare or shower products you use will penetrate more deeply than usual.
  3. Always brush towards your heart.  You want to follow the direction of your circulation and lymphatic system.  The only exception to this is your back - brush from the neck down.
  4. Use firm pressure, but don't scrub yourself raw!  It's perfectly normal for skin to be pink once you've finished, but it shouldn't be red or sore.
  5. Avoid brushing sensitive areas such as your face, varicose veins or abrasions.  On thinner skin, such as your decolletage and breasts, be more gentle.
  6. Brush your body in sections, moving upwards on both sides.  Start at the sole of each foot using circular, upwards motions.  Move to your ankles, lower legs and thighs using longer, smoother strokes.  When you get to your mid section and core use sweeping curved motions, again in the direction of your heart. Go back to long, upward strokes for your arms, and long downward strokes for your back.
  7. Aim to brush for at least two minutes, but you can continue for upwards of twenty minutes.
  8. After your shower, apply your favourite moisturiser as usual and be prepared for it to be even more amazing!

How do I know it's working?

You should feel different from the first session, but if you like experiments (and aren't adverse to smells) you can give this a go!  After body brushing wipe your body with a dry flannel and place it in a zip lock plastic bag.  After a few days give it a whiff.  That's the smell of the toxins that were released.  We know, it's gross!

So there you have it - our guide to body brushing.  Have we convinced you to give it a go? Or maybe you're already a body brusher?  Tell us your experiences below! 

Why You Should Start Dry Body Brushing Today
Fast, effective, numerous health benefits – what’s not to love about dry body brushing in the morning?
You may be thinking, Why do I need to add something else to my already busy morning routine? Let me assure you, the extra five minutes this takes is well worth the investment.
Think back to your human biology class (minus the traumatizing exam) and answer these questions: What is the largest organ in the body? What is one of the most important elimination organs in the body, playing a large role in daily detoxification? What organ receives a third of all the blood that is circulated in the body? When the blood is full of toxic materials, what organ will reflect this with problems? What organ is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to shows signs of imbalance or deficiency? 
Answer for all: the skin
The benefits of dry skin brushing include:
  • Listen up ladies: Increasing the circulation to the skin could possibly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is toxic material accumulated in your body’s fat cells. So, rather than take drastic measures like liposuction, how about utilizing the dry skin brushing techniques to help break down unwanted toxins?
  • Dry body brushing helps shed dead skin cells (and encourages new cell renewal), which results in smoother and brighter skin. It can also help with any pesky ingrown hairs.
  • It assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. By releasing toxins, it encourages the body’s discharge of metabolic wastes so the body is able to run more effectively.
  • Dry skin brushing rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin (and it feels pretty great, too!).
  • It helps with muscle tone and gives you a more even distribution of fat deposits.
  • Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. 
  • And, in my experience, dry body brushing first thing in the morning can actually set up a perfect day! By doing something solely for yourself first thing in the morning, you can develop a beautiful follow-through effect, starting with a healthy breakfast – why ruin all the good work you just did?
Can you try dry body brushing at home?
Good news – you don’t have to book a pricey spa treatment to reap the benefits; this one can be done in your very own bathroom. All you need to do is purchase a natural bristle brush (not one made from nylon or synthetic materials). One with a long handle is also a plus, as it means you can reach all areas of the body. 
The directions are pretty simple:
  • Start on dry skin before bathing. 
  • Work in gentle circular, upward motions, then longer, smoother strokes. 
  • Always begin at the ankles in upwards movements towards the heart - the lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it's important that you brush in the same direction.
  • Your back is the only exception to the preceding rule; brush from the neck down to the lower back.  
  • After you've finished with the ankles, move up to the lower legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms. Be cautious of softer and sensitive skin around the chest and breasts, and never brush over inflamed skin, sores, sun-burnt skin, or skin cancer.
  • Ensure you shower to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities. 
  • Tip: alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation, bring more blood to the outer layers of the skin.  
  • Then follow it up with a slick moisturizer to nourish the skin (personally, I'm a fan of coconut oil)
Give it a go for 30 consecutive days and your body will love you for it!

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Comments

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12th April, 2020

On my shopping list after lockdown

21st October, 2016

I never knew how beneficial brushing my body could be - now to find a body brush!

14th October, 2016

I had never actually heard of dry body brushing. I grew up with there being a brush to use in the bathroom and loved using it on my back in the shower. But now that I've read this I'm really keen to give it a try!

7th August, 2014

I had a body brush a few years back but had no idea what to do with it... I tried it a couple of times how I thought it was to be used ... um Fail! and didn't enjoy it so away it went... knowledge is a powerful thing!

28th July, 2014

I'm defiantly going to give this a go, I already have a brush but use it in the shower with exfoliant on it and am pretty slack and forget half the time.. I'm going to challenge myself to do this every day and work it in to my routine

27th July, 2014

I never really heard of the term body brushing but I have heard of exfoliating dry skin using a brush. I also never knew it had so many benefits! I sometimes exfoliate my face using a gentle brush on dry skin, but I've never thought of brushing my whole body. I'll have to give this a go and get one of those brushes. My only concern is it being too harsh on my skin, but I guess you get used to the feeling.

26th July, 2014

Very excited to give this a go! Thanks for the tips xx

26th July, 2014

I've heard of this but have always been worried about scrubbing my skin and causing it to be sensitive. This article really helps though and I think I'll invest in a body brush!

26th July, 2014

I've never tried body brushing but it really sounds amazing and benficial.

26th July, 2014

I've never been a body brusher to me I thought it was another gimmick idea for cellulite and the idea of brushing my backside and thighs raw with a stiff expensive brush in an attempt to remove the orange peel effect didn't appeal to me. And if it really was that simple I would have thought that there would be less women battling cellulite since it's such an easy peasy fix. I am still kinda scared of the idea so will have to find out what these cactus hair brushes feel like. Rubbing a cactus all over my body doesn't sound like it'll make me feel good. I use a shower puff in the shower so I'm also worried that my skin might be highly sensitized to my basic shower products. But someday I will probably pluck up the courage to give this a shot.

24th July, 2014

Great timing coming across this article I was noticing some dry skin areas on my legs this morning so off to town tomorrow to get a brush. Thanks BR :)

22nd July, 2014

I'm so getting a brush tomorrow, oh I'll give this a go for sure.

22nd July, 2014

Wow I'm definitely goin to give this a shot!! May be just what I need to boost my energy and body thanks BR

22nd July, 2014

OMG I need to get in on this asap!!

22nd July, 2014

I haven't tried this myself but have had in when get a fake tan and it makes my skin feel absolutely amazing - not sure why I haven't tried it myself now that I think of it

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