Dry Brushing
This practice has been gaining popularity lately and with good reason. I’ve even noticed “dry brushing” as an offering on the menu at spas in hotels I stayed at recently. Dry Brushing has many potential benefits from smoother skin to helping with lymphatic drainage.
Benefits of Dry Brushing
1. Lymphatic Support:
The lymphatic system is a major part of the body’s immune system. It is made up of organs and lymph nodes, ducts and vessels that transport lymph throughout the body. Many of these lymph vessels run just below the skin and proponents of dry brushing claim that brushing the skin regularly helps stimulate the normal lymph flow within the body and help the body detoxify itself naturally.
2. Exfoliation
This benefit is often noticed the first time a person dry brushes. The process of running a firm, natural bristled brush over the skin helps loosen and remove dead skin cells, naturally exfoliating skin. I noticed much softer skin in the first few days and weeks after I started dry brushing and my skin has stayed soft. Dry brushing is one of the simplest and most natural ways to exfoliate skin. Makes your skin very soft.
3. Clean Pores (& Smaller Pores!)
The added benefit of exfoliating the skin, is clearing oil, dirt and residue from the pores. Using a specialized smaller gentler dry brush for the face, your face softer and the pores are much less noticeable.
4. Cellulite Help
Though the evidence is anecdotal, many accounts of people who claimed that regular dry brushing greatly helped their cellulite. There isn’t much research to back the cellulite claims, but dry brushing feels great and makes skin softer, so there isn’t really any downside to trying it!
5. Natural Energy Boost
Dry brushing always gives clients a natural energy boost. For this reason, don't recommend dry brushing at night but it is great in the morning. One theory is that because it increases circulation, it also increases energy. Either way, dry brushing should be part of a morning routine.
Selecting a Dry Brush
A firm, natural bristle brush with a handle, which allows you to reach the entire back and easily brush the bottoms of the feet and the backs of the legs.
Heaven Scent offers several different sizes of brushes and a selection of different bristles.
How to Dry Brush: The Method
Dry brushing can be done daily, preferably in the morning before showering. Start with a gentle brush and soft pressure. Work up to a firmer brush and more firm pressure over time.
Here’s How to Dry Brush the Skin:
- Starting at the feet, brush the bottoms of the feet and up the legs in long, smooth strokes. Typically brush each section of skin 10 times. For lymph flow, always brush toward the heart/chest area where the lymph system drains. As a good rule of thumb, always brush toward the center of the body.
- Repeat the same process with the arms, starting with the palms of the hands and brushing up the arm toward the heart. Again, brush each section of skin 10 times.
- On the stomach and armpits, brush in a circular clockwise motion.
- Then repeat the process on the abdomen and back and the face with a more delicate brush.
Note: Don’t brush too hard! A soft and smooth stroke often works best. The skin will be slightly pink after brushing, but it should never be red or sting. If it hurts at all, use less pressure! Brush before showering and use a natural lotion or coconut oil after showering.
Replace the brush every 6-12 months as the bristles will eventually wear out. I also recommend washing the brush every few weeks to remove dead skin cells.
But, Does Dry Brushing Actually Work?
The evidence is divided and several sources point out the obvious fact- there have not been any specific scientific studies about dry brushing. Much of the evidence, especially relating to the cellulite benefit, is anecdotal and much more research would be needed before dermatologists would consider it a legitimate medical treatment.
Here’s the thing: It isn’t meant to be a medical treatment and shouldn’t be considered one.
Even dermatologists agree that gently brushing the skin does have exfoliating benefits and may stimulate the body in a way similar to massage, which certainly does have well-documented benefits
Skin brushing is very invigorating, and it can’t hurt, so it has become part of my daily routine.
Especially during pregnancy, it has been found that dry brushing seemed to help keep from getting stretch marks and also seemed to help tighten skin after pregnancy.
Heaven Scent does dry skin brushing before body wraps or before massages if requested. Cost $25.00
Dry Skin Brushes Available in our Retail Store:
TYPES:
Jute fiber (Softest)
Jute is one of nature’s strongest and most affordable vegetable fibers. In India and Bangladesh (where we source ours from) some 4 million farmers earn their living and support 20 million dependents from jute cultivation, while hundreds of thousands more work in the jute manufacturing sector. The most popular natural fiber after cotton, it is widely produced and used to make an array of items including rope, carpets and wrapping fabrics.
Sisal fiber (Medium)
Extracted from the Agave sisalana plant, sisal can be grown throughout the year - even on marginal land and in semi-arid areas - and does not require fertilizers or pesticides. This makes it ideal for countries like Kenya (where we import ours from), where agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Sisal fibers are strong and durable, do not absorb moisture easily and are resistant to damage by salt water.
Coconut fiber (Course)
Coir or Coco is the material found between the inner shell and outer shell of a coconut. The fiber is relatively waterproof and one of the few vegetable fibers naturally resistant to fungus and mites, making it ideal for use in the kitchen and bathroom. The coconuts we use are grown by small-scale Sri Lankan farmers, who employ local mills to extract the fiber, which strengthens their economy.
Invest in dry brushing and start reaping the revitalizing benefits!
Cost $16.99 to $19.99
