Skin Brushing
by Elizabeth Dietz, Nutrition Counselor
Your skin can release up to a pound of waste a day through its semi-permeable membrane. It is not uncommon for the skin to be called the “third kidney” because it plays such a vital role in removing toxins from the body.
The skin is often the place where we see imbalances that exist in the body coming to the surface. Helping your skin stay clean, clear and functioning is vitally important to your health.
Keeping the lymphatic system running smoothly is key to your skins health. There are many things that you can do to keep it running well, such as exercise, a clean diet, and drinking lots of water. Another amazing way to stimulate the lymphatic system and help encourage detoxification through the skin is dry skin brushing.
Health Benefits:
◾Lymphatic drainage – Brushing your skin upwards towards your heart encourages the flow of lymph fluid. The better and more efficiently you are moving your lymph fluid, the better it is for fighting off pathogens, and keeping your blood and cells clean.
◾Boosts immunity – Because you are encouraging your body to move lymph fluid through the lymph nodes more efficiently, you will be facilitating a more efficient removal of wastes and toxins. The faster lymph fluid is passed through the lymph system and back into the blood to be filtered, the better your immune system will work.
◾Cleanses the skin – Removes dead skin cells. This clears the way for your body to more efficiently remove wastes and toxins through sweating.
◾Clears Cellulite – Yes it does! Cellulite is a collection of stored toxins that got stuck and cause the skin to pucker. With diligent skin brushing, you will help to move these trapped toxins in your cells, and thus removing cellulite. Yay!!!
5 Steps to Skin Brushing
1. Dry skin brushes have soft bristles, similar to a soft toothbrush. Make sure that your skin is dry.
2. Always brush in an upward motion, starting at your feet, and working your way all the way up to your chest, where your heart is. The main drainage points for your lymphatic system are right near your collar bones. So this is where you want to direct the flow.
3. Brush in smooth, long strokes, or in circular motions. If you have areas of concentrated cellulite, you can stay and focus on this area. Skin brushing can help to bring fresh circulation to areas of stored toxins (such as cellulite) and help to break them up.
4. Use very gentle strokes on delicate skin like the skin on your face, breasts and upper chest.
5. Remember to brush all surfaces of your skin on your body, including the bottoms of your feet, your whole back and your armpits, all towards your heart.
For best results, skin brush every day.
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