Dry skin brushing

[kimberlily]

I've heard of some LHCers doing this, and wondered what it is all about. Why do you do it? How do you do it? Is it beneficial for certain skin conditions?

[Stephanie]

Dry skin brushing is absolutely amazing! It increases circulation, helps clear toxins from your lymph nodes, exfoliates and brings about beautiful glow... Cripes - now why aren't I doing it?! :lol: I'm lazy. I want to just hop in the shower in the morning and go, go, go. That's really not much of an excuse, though, because it doesn't take very long once you get used to the bristles and have your own technique down. My skin never feels anywhere near as smooth, nor does it look anywhere as good as it does when I'm dry brushing. Scrubs, wet exfoliation, creams, none of them compare on my skin.

I begin at the bottoms of my feet and work my way up and around, always using strokes towards my heart, getting into all of the crevices I can (around and in between toes, etc.), and concentrating on any areas that are either in need of a bit more dry skin removal or just feel like they need it from the inside (my thought being that increased circulation aides healing). I work all the way around my body, up to my heart and then start again, but at my palms and fingertips. I gently go over my jawline and neck (the bristles on my brush are too rough for my face) and stop at my heart. I have a brush with a detachable handle that I use to get my back. Afterwards, I jump into the shower and go from there. Any lotions, creams or oils that you put on afterwards feel especially nice, though I'm sure it negates any detoxing effects that the drybrushing would have brought about otherwise.

Detoxing and increased circulation, in general, will be good for skin conditions. Drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fruit, veggies, and fiber will also help any internal effects along.

Dulci is the one who turned me onto it and she's an absolute wealth of information and resources. Perhaps she'll see this and post some more information for you. :grinhappy:

ETA: Here's a link (http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm) that describes the process a bit more.

[brunette]

Quite apart from helping to exfoliate before you get in the bath or shower, it stimulates the lymphatic system which carries the toxins out of your body so that they can be excreted. This is especially useful when you are either doing a fast or cleanse or just feel quite sluggish and want a boost.

There are lymph glands mainly concentrated in the joints of the body: armpits, groin, knee joints, etc and the circulation of lymph (clear liquid which contains white blood cells, this is carried around body before joining the venous bloodstream again).

People who regularly dry skin brush often report amazing improvements in health.
Here's what to do: Use a brush with relatively stiff bristles (mine is cactus based but reasonably soft) or even a loofah or scrub mitt, stand or sit and starting at the feet brush toward the heart in long strokes. So first do feet toward the ankle, then top of foot toward knee, gradually working up the leg. Do the same with the torso but on the abdomen use a circular motion. Don't forget the arms, and the sides of the torso toward the armpit! After brushing you really ought to bath or shower, but by now you should be tingling all over!

Hope you get on well with this method!

[brunette]

Oo Stephanie we were posting at the same time! :D

[shiningstar]

i have tried this but find it really uncomfortable even with a proper body brush. i can juat about bare it on the lower legs and elbows but no matter how soft i do it it hurts.
would it get better with perserverance?

[Stephanie]

Jinx, Brunette! ;)

Shiningstar, it does get better. My very first time dry brushing took me a good 45 minutes because I had to work into it I have a thing for self-torture - canyatell? :lol:). The next time was a little better and it just got better after that. Tonight, after I posted, I went to dry brush and shower and even though I haven't done it for a while, I was still able to use long, firm strokes. I really enjoy it, now. What kind of brush do you have? You could try using it a few times in the shower (which should feel gentler and soften the bristles some, as well) and then try it dry after a few goes.

[Teacherbear]

I've read that you *can* use a dry wash towel/rag if you are really sensistive.

I haven't dry-brushed in a long time. I think I'll do that today.

[Dulci]

Here is a huge article (http://racingsmarter.com/health/natural/skin_brushing.htm) on dry skin brushing. I brush my skin while the bathtub is filling up, then add epsom salts and/or apple cider vinegar (http://racingsmarter.com/health/natural/epsomsaltbath.htm) and hop in. :happy: Highly recommended.

[Carolyn]

You guys are making me wish I'd brought my skin brush with me. Maybe my BBB hair brush could be substituted for a time or two. I need to go get some ACV for the bath. I feel SOOOOOO GOOD after a nice skin brushing an detoxing bath.

[SpiralingWaves]

I originally started dry brushing because of my KP. But I have since found out its benefits in stimulating the lymphatic system and reducing cellulite so I will continue with it. Plus it makes my skin feel so tingly afterward.:happy:

When I first started doing this, I brushed (with a natural bristle brush) very gently. Then after a few times doing this, I was able to use more pressure.

[kimberlily]

Hmm, sounds right up my alley. I have KP too, and I'm using coconut oil on it in hopes that I'll have the same results as some other people I came across on a KP board. I'm also using Eucerin on top of that, since it has lactic acid AND urea in it, both of which are supposed to help KP.

Can I use my BBB to dry brush? I never use it on my hair because I don't seem to need it to distribute the oil. It just kind of does it on its own, so my poor brush just sits on a shelf, feeling neglected :lol:

[SpiralingWaves]

I suppose you could, though it may take longer to do the dry brushing because of its small size. Worth a shot!

I forgot about using urea & latic acid ... unfortunately latic acid did nothing for my KP and I've never tried urea. I hope it works for you Kimberlily. It's a pain trying to find something to get rid of those bumbs!:purplex:

[naj]

Thanks kimberlily for starting this thread. Thanks to all who have made dr brushing so comprehensive. Im on it...

[wonderlywroughte]

I love the way my skin feels after dry brushing. I keep forgetting to do it though! But oh, the tingle!! It feels so good!! :whoohoo:

[TheFragile]

Does it leave you feeling sick? I know after a lymphatic drainage massage you get sick for a couple of days cause all of those toxins are released. Or is it to mild to do that?

[SpiralingWaves]

I've had a lymphatic drainage massage and it didn't leave me sick, but I did feel extremely tired afterward. I was so tired that I *had* to lay down, there was no fighting it. :sleep: I've never felt like that after dry brushing. Yes, I think it would be to mild. Actually, I feel invigorated afterward.:whoohoo:

[unaspenser]

I love dry brushing! How often do you guys do it? I do it pretty irregularly (maybe once a month) using my boar's bristle body brush. It just makes your skin GLOW! Does ACV increase the detox effects, or is it just to help perk up the skin? What other ways do you enhance detox?

(can you tell I'm on the tail end of a bad flu and feeling positively limp?)

[faerie]

I don't want to bother with too much in the morning, I guess this should work just as great in the evening? Of course the effects in the long run would be the same, I just don't want to sit on the side of my bed feeling great but unable to fall asleep :happy:

[Ama]

I'll have to try this. Like kimberlily, I have a BBB that I never use. I've had it for years and it just sits there. This gives me something to use it for!

[Dulci]

Go ahead and use your BBBrushes y'all, they will work great!

I love dry brushing! How often do you guys do it? I do it pretty irregularly (maybe once a month) using my boar's bristle body brush. It just makes your skin GLOW!

I'll admit I let it slip in the winter, it is just too cold to drybrush! :shiver: I just want to strip and hop right in the tub.

But for the past couple of days I've been drybrushing several times a day. See, Doctor #1 told me I had arthritis in my left shoulder, but last week Doctor #2 told me he thought it was tendonitis/rotator cuff and to treat it like an injury. In the link to the big article I gave upthread, it talks about Crossover stimulation, By working the good side first, in part or in a full range of skin brushing, the body produces a 20% improved stimulation to the opposite or involved side of your body. and then Overflow Over Flow is the process of skin brushing above and below the involved site of complaint. Skin brushing in the "Pain Free Zone", also known as the "Green Zone" produces a neurological normalizing overflow effect into the "Pain Zone" or problem area, also known as the "Red Zone". This normalizing neurological over-flowing stimulation effect immediately improves the condition without actually working in the red zone. The skin brushing action also improves the restricted range of motion to the injured area, if any is present. So, by skin brushing above and below the involved site we send normalizing neurological stimulations into the problem area as well as improving the range of motion. The activation of the body's over-flow process improves the involved site by a 30% value.


Well, I'm sure that was more than you wanted to know. I just wanted to say that dry skin brushing is Good, and you probably cannot overdo it. :soppy:



Does ACV increase the detox effects, or is it just to help perk up the skin? What other ways do you enhance detox?

(can you tell I'm on the tail end of a bad flu and feeling positively limp?)


Poor you, the flu sucks! The other link I gave above says ACV used alone in the bath will help you sleep better, recharge, heal faster, etc. If you combine it with epsoms salts, they work together very effectively. If you want more detox info, there is a huge thread over at LHC once it comes back up.

faerie - brushing in the evening is fine, give it a try.

[Stephanie]

Holy carp! That's some good info there. I may have to kick it up to twice or three times a day.

[SpiralingWaves]

I have been trying to dry brush every other day. I hope to do this everyday, however, this may be wishful thinking.:gurn:

[naj]

Im actualy on it. I'v been doing it since 2 days, before bed. No idea if this timing is wrong. But i feel most comfy only at this time. I'v been using the accupressure kinda brush and its good. Sin feels really soft afterward. Still to see its effects.
My main ain for this is to detox the skin and help with my mild(but progressing) cellulitis.Ofcourse cellulitis is only on certain regions:secret: , but no harm with full body brushing. Anyone else on it with me????
Naj

[Deeds]

Count me in! :happy:

After reading all the information here I am inspired! :whoohoo:

So this evening before my shower I will body brush.

I will try it as often as I can... see how it works.

[Ivytwine]

Woo! I just picked up a back scrubber brush from walmart the other day to use on my back. I've been using the 2% salicylic acid Neutrogena body wash for acne and also a psoriasis shampoo with 3% salicylic acid, but I still continue to get these big painful (I believe cystic) zits! I think I need to switch to a benzoyl peroxide body wash.

Anyway, I've gone off the main topic here. Back to the original point. :)

I haven't done dry-scrubbing in years. Now that I have this nifty back scrubber, I ought to start doing it again! From what I've read so far a daily dry brush might be a good idea, so I'll start with that. Maybe it'll help with my bacne also, since I'll be helping to detox my skin. :)

[naj]

Third day today and so far so good.
Yesterday i did a good skin brushing and then a wonderful shower with dove. And did a veniger last rinse. Then slathered some good moisturizing lotion. WOW!! Amazing. My skin is much firmer. Is that the word? It is really firmer. Especially on my thighs, skin is taut.
Before i went to bed, i could feel my skin so much healthier and softer.
This is amazing.
But i have a question:
Is it compulsary for take a shower after dry skin brushing? LOng time back, i never knew this and just brushed daily (for a week?). I dont really remember how it felt but it made my skin uber soft even without the lotions.
Any thoughts about it?
I would prefer to shower on alternate days but dry brush everyday. How do you think i should go about?
TIA
Naj

[saracuda]

I've never heard of this before. Thanks, guys!

[Josephine]

This is all very interesting! :) What is the difference (for your skin) between dry and wet brushing?

[kimberlily]

Well, I dry brushed just on my arms where I have the KP, and WOW. My arms feel so good today. I found it very stimulating and tingly :)

[naj]

Dry brushing is good for firming skin too. I am having good results with 3 days itself. Especially on my bottom. You can read the thread baby's bottom if you want.
Naj

[golden_gal]

Ooh...this sounds good.... I gotta get myself a brush!

[Rini]

Where do I get a good brush for this??? Any good brands? Online sellers?

[Snowymoon]

I love dry skin brushing. :soppy: I just have to remember to do it. :ooh: I have used a BBB when vacationing, and it worked just fine. I have a bigger natural brush at home. I wash the brush with mild shampoo once per month after dry brushing with it for the day. I generally dry brush right before my shower or bath. I also think nothing compares to it, except maybe homemade seasalt oil body scrubs, but dry brushing is quick and easy. Makes my skin glow and really smooth. :grinhappy:

Oh, and I think a dry towel would work well. I buff my skin with a dry towel after self-tanning, and it leaves my skin feeling as if I had dry brushed. I am sure this would work okay.

[naj]

I have done dry skin brushing with a dry natural sponge(of course then it should be called Dry skin sponging). I had the same results as with a brush-smooth silky skin, but there is less pressure as the sponge is not stiff enough.HTH:grinhappy:
Naj

[Dana]

I've been dry-brushing on and of for about 2 weeks. I haven't noticed much difference in my skin's appearance, but I've never been one to agonize over things (too depressing!). Maybe my husband would have noticed??

Anyway, I love dry-brushing just for the feeling of it. It feels like scratching an itch - very satisfying, although sometimes uncomfortable. I use my BBB. I do quick brushings since I'm usually late in the mornings.

Thanks for the article links - I'll have to read those later!


Rini - thanks for the eyecandy sig ;) Brightens my day!!

[quiet1]

I have done dry skin brushing with a dry natural sponge(of course then it should be called Dry skin sponging). I had the same results as with a brush-smooth silky skin, but there is less pressure as the sponge is not stiff enough.HTH:grinhappy:
Naj

Oooh. I'll have to dig out the natural silk sea sponge my MIL gave me and try this. (I'm a bit nervous about having a go with a brush because I have psoriasis and my skin can be VERY sensitive and prone to bleeding easily.)

[saracuda]

I tried it with just my regular hairbrush before a shower. It felt good, like a good scratching, and I felt really energized afterwards. I don't think I saw any real changes in my skin, though. I'd do it again just because it feels nice!

[naj]

I've been on it for almost 5 days now. Dry brushed and followed up with a sugar scrub for the body today. Skin is like silk and firm...wonderful. Im happy. It actually energizes me to enjoy my shower when im feeling all bored to go for it!!

[kimberlily]

I'm liking the dry brushing too. I've only done it 3 times so far, but I'm already seeing a difference in the skin on my arms where I have the KP.

[Delenn]

I love dry brushing! :kiss:
I love dry brushing! :kiss:
I love dry brushing! :kiss:

I've adopted quite a few new ways of doing things since joining LHC (and now TBB), and some I could tell right away that they would be a winner but WOW! This one really reached out and grabbed me. After two dry brushings all I can say is that I absolutely love it!!! :soppy:

One of these days I'm going to try the ACV+Epsom Salt soak that Dulci recommends. :whoohoo:

[kimberlily]

Hmm, I'll have to search for that. My skin lurves ACV...

[SpiralingWaves]

I'm liking the dry brushing too. I've only done it 3 times so far, but I'm already seeing a difference in the skin on my arms where I have the KP.

I hope you continue to see improvement!:whoohoo:

[Stephanie]

I'm off to DB right now. I LOVE IT. Maybe I'll soak in a bit of ACV since I'm out of epsom salt... Sounds like a plan to me.

[naj]

Felings o guilty. I got so preoccupied with life these two weeks, i did not DB even once. Im so careless about myself. **Shrug**
I should start DBing again. My skin had improved two folds!!
Naj

[Ocean Waves]

New DB addict here! I tried dry skin brushing for the first time the other day - Wonderful!!
My boyfriend asked - "What crazy thing are you up to now?"
Well, after I ran the brush up his arm I wasn't so crazy anymore.... :lafhard: