Discover the benefits of an exfoliation on your legs and arms. How to do it and how often. Eliminate dead skin cells and activate circulation keeping cellulite at bay.
Now, we're not talking about brushing your hair or teeth - the benefits of both are well known and we hope you're already doing them regularly. What we are talking about today is body brushing, also known as dry brushing.
Dry brushing has been around for a long time. In Aryurveda India, dry brushing is known as "Gharsana", meanwhile, in China, body brushing is traditionally done by using a loofah instead of a brush. Dry brushing has also been used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Turks, Japanese and Scandinavians.
WHY IS EXFOLIATING IMPORTANT?
Dry Brushing has many benefits, the most obvious of which is exfoliation. It is ideal for removing dead and dry skin cells, and revealing healthy and glowing skin. It will make your skin feel softer and smoother and is a great way to prevent ingrown hairs. This is especially important as the body ages, as the skin becomes less efficient at shedding dead cells with age. Brushing also leaves your skin primed for hydration, which means creams, lotions and oils will be better absorbed and therefore more effective.
You may already be using a body scrub to exfoliate, but many exfoliating products contain micro-beads that are very bad for the environment. Using a body brush is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly way to exfoliate as you don't need to keep buying or making new scrubs.
One effect you'll notice almost immediately is how stimulating dry brushing can be. This is why we recommend doing it in the morning, rather than at night, after brushing you will feel energetic and awake and you may not be able to sleep.
While experts remain divided on this benefit, it's likely that dry brushing can stimulate the lymphatic system, which, as you probably already know, is great for reducing the appearance of cellulite. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins from the body, which are one of the main causes of cellulite.
HOW SHOULD I BE BRUSHING?
Make sure you have a brush with natural bristles. The Glo910 Body Brush is a great option with natural bristles, and makes body brushing much quicker and more effective than doing it by hand.
We recommend that you brush first thing in the morning, giving you a boost of energy for the day. Make sure your body is dry before you brush, and shower afterwards to remove dead skin cells. We suggest moisturizing after brushing and showering, as your skin will really appreciate the extra boost of hydration.
How often you brush is entirely up to you:
Some people like to do it every day, while others find that two or three times a week is enough for them.
To brush you should move up towards your heart, as this will help with circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system. A good way to start is to work your way up from your ankles, through your legs, arms, chest, back, and stomach. Use long strokes on most areas and clockwise strokes on your stomach and chest. Some people find that their chest is too sensitive to brush, so make sure to be extra gentle on this area.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
Avoid going over an area too many times as this could damage or irritate your skin and make sure you don't brush too firmly; You want to remove dead cells, not new ones! Make sure to avoid brushing damaged or irritated skin, as it will only make things worse. This includes burns, sores, scrapes, cuts, and sunburns, and never brush infected areas. If brushing is painful, reduce brushing pressure, buy a softer brush, or avoid brushing that area. Dry brushing should vitalize, not irritate.
