Did I read somewhere that someone does this?

Do you have any good websites that I can read about it?

I've heard more and more about it lately, and how it is good for stimulating the lymph system and generally detoxing the body/skin.

Thanks for any info

Hi TB!

I haven't read anything on the net, but a few years ago I read some stuff in a health food store explaining dry-skin brushing. I do it sometimes, it is pretty relaxing, and probably helps exfoliate your skin, if nothing else. (Well, I know it exfoliates, because I am very light skinned and a bit dry, so when I brush the brushing loosens up dry surface skin, leaving me looking REALLY pale.)

Here are a few tips I remember.

1. You need to use a natural bristle bath brush that you NEVER use to wash with in water. Who knows why, but they claim that the brush you use for this should NEVER get wet. :rolleyes:

2. You use the brush right before showering, while you are still totally dry. Beginning at the hands or feet, you brush all your skin in an in-towards-the-center-of-the-torso direction, not brushing in an outward direction at all.

3. Your brush all your body, working your brush strokes from every direction inwards to the heart. (Sounds nutty, but what the heck?)

Hmmm, that's pretty much it. Then you shower as usual. I don't do it regularly, but if I feel extra dry or am just in the mood, I try it. It's a little scratchy feeling, but is overall pleasant to do. Give it a try! I can't see any harm in it, and it at least exfoliates, albeit a little roughly.

Good luck!

Deborah

hi TBear,

I do this regularly... almost every day except for the days that I'm too lazy. I noticed a pretty dramatic change in my skin tone, my skin is much more glowly.

also, whenever I stop, I notice a little bit of cellulite-y stuff on the backs of my legs (eeep! I'm only 21!) starts to show up. it disappeard after 3 or 4 days of dry brushing. plus it's an amazing feelling.... it increases your circulation so it makes you feel slightly revved up but relaxed at the same time. try it for at least a week before making up your mind.

oh - and I've read that some people at first get little pimples on their body as it tries to get rid of toxins, and that it goes away pretty quickly. this never happened to me but I guess it's something to be aware of.
HTH!

I body brush, although I mainly focus on the so-called 'problem areas' of the butt, thighs, hips and back of arms, since doing your whole body takes ages!

I have a long-handled beech brush with white BB (it's basically a giant hair brush), and I brush from the extremity of each limb in towards the body. It leaves my skin glowing, with an even texture, smooth to the touch and firm. The results are only temporary, if you stop the dull, uneven skin comes back, but you don't have to do it every day, 3 times a week is enough to maintain, although at first you might want to go for every day just to speed up your progress.
I always shower at the gym, so I can't do it before my showers, so I do it in the evening, and apply a stimulating, moisturing and detoxing massage oil afterwards.

It might leave your skin a little pink (which is good!) but not scratched, and at first it might feel a little uncomfortable until you get used to it, but persist and it will start to feel great :) And if you really get into it, it's a good workout too, a vigorous brushing can leave you quite breathless LOL!

Hey TBear, I bought myself a dry-skin brush when we were shopping in Dallas. :P I waited until it was warm enough for me to use it, but I like it so far.

Gabi has mentioned practicing this also.

Here are some websites I found:

http://www.hps-online.com/skin_brushing.htm

http://www.parksville.net/wellness/1298/drybrush.htm

http://www.agelessfoundation.com/youthing-tips/skincare/dry_brush_for_healthy_skin.html

I thought I heard the dulcette tones of Dulci :DD

Yessss, I do dry brush and it's true the more you do it the more your skin can handle in terms of duration, vigor and stiffness of brush :rockerdude: we LIKE those qualities in a brush ;)

I use Yucca bristles - a lot a health food stores have these and I have several so I can wash. Best to dry them in the sun www.yerba.com it's the tampico skin brush ... g

I've been body brushing for 3 years -every day and I can't imagine not doing it. The natural brush seems too soft to me now - even though I started with it. So I pought a japanese scrubber :
http://www.suzannes.com/bodandskinca10.html

I brush before my shower and I basically stopped using soaps - except for some places...
One more thing. There is a book out there, written about body brushing -I don't remember the title, but saw it at Barnes and Noble - the author says that after brushing, you need to put the oil all over your body.
Well, I tried it also 3 years ago and got hooked up. I have never use any lotion or cream since then - only oils, mixed with EO.

This is the best thing that happened to my skin and the worst thing that happened to my wrinkles ;)

Can you use a loofah? Isn't that what they are mostly used for?

The reason I ask is because that is what I use. I only do the some areas like KT.

here's a link from my bookmark.

http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/self/684

am sure i had one more - brushing for removing cellulite. lemme go looking for it again.

Thank you, EVERYONE! So much good information!! :)

Now I have some specific questions . . . I've read you should brush toward the bowels and heart . . . but

What about the back? brush around to the front? (around the ribcage)

What about the buttocks? brush up toward the low back?

What about breast? brush toward nipple (avoiding nipple) or away from nipple (avoiding nipple)?

I am brushing more for it's overall health benefits, including improving lymph drainage . . . reducing cellulite is just an added bonus.


Also, I've read to keep the brush totally dry. But is that ALWAYS? Because won't it start smelling? If what you are brushing off the skin is dried uric acid, it WILL eventually smell.

I understand the need for the brush to be dry when you are USING it (as well as dry skin), but can't I and/or shouldn't I wash it periodically?

<scratching head> Hmmmmm anything else?!

Oh, I've brushed at least 4 times. One day I did it in the morning and evening (I take 2 showers a day, but don't always use a lot of soap - so I LOVE that after dry brushing, I can basically run water over my body, and maybe slide my hand over certain places and I'll be clean and smell free (ok, mostly! ;) )

I like how it feels, it CAN be quite a work out, though! :) I make sure I close the shower curtain, and brush in the shower - so the "dust" doesn't get out into the bathroom as much (as it would if I brushed with it open, or while out of the shower) WHEW! long sentence! hahahaha

Thanks again, ya'll! I think we have people here at LHC who know something about EVERYTHING . . . :) you just gotta ask! :) This is a GREAT community! :) (gooshy moment! )

Hugs
Tbear

What about the back? brush around to the front? (around the ribcage)

What I do, I just use that long handed brush and move it up and down - there is really not much you can do when you do it yourself :-)


What about the buttocks? brush up toward the low back?
Go in circular motion.


What about breast? brush toward nipple (avoiding nipple) or away from nipple (avoiding nipple)?
I never brush breasts- only around them



Also, I've read to keep the brush totally dry. But is that ALWAYS? Because won't it start smelling?
Of course you wash the brush often. THe point is, when you use it, it has to be dry

Also, do circular motions on all joints.

HTH

z

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Also, I've read to keep the brush totally dry. But is that ALWAYS? Because won't it start smelling?
Of course you wash the brush often. THe point is, when you use it, it has to be dry

HTH

z


LOL, that's what I THOUGHT! hahahahahaahaha ;) Thanks soooooooo much Zoya :)

Also, I've read to keep the brush totally dry. But is that ALWAYS? Because won't it start smelling? If what you are brushing off the skin is dried uric acid, it WILL eventually smell.

I understand the need for the brush to be dry when you are USING it (as well as dry skin), but can't I and/or shouldn't I wash it periodically?

clean and smell free (ok, mostly! ;) )

I like how it feels, it CAN be quite a work out, though! :) I make sure I close the shower curtain, and brush in the shower - so the "dust" doesn't get out into the bathroom as much (as it would if I brushed with it open, or while out of the shower) WHEW! long sentence! hahahaha

Thanks again, ya'll! I think we have people here at LHC who know something about EVERYTHING . . . :) you just gotta ask! :) This is a GREAT community! :) (gooshy moment! )

Hugs
Tbear

Yesss indeedy TBrzy - that was one of my first :?: :?: :?: - they say to brush pits, feet and groin and you don't want me to wash the brush :shock: :!: - Sorry, I'm washin' it :rolleyes:

And I agree on the dust mite contribution - there is a lotta stuff coming off ... have fun ...g

The reason for the brushing direction is to mimic the movement of your circulatory system.... blood goes out your heart on the left side - some goes up to your head - the rest goes down, then back up your left arm.... then down the left side of your body... down the outer left leg - up the inner side.... through the groin.... down the inner right leg... up the outer... up the right side of your body.... down the right arm, then up and back to the heart!

The toxins and water are stimulated to empty into the blood system which moves it to "elimination" areas. Whenever I wash, do a body scrub or brush I follow this pattern.

HTH and glad you brought this up TBear... I'm going to get back to doing this.

Funny this came up. I have been doing this weekend detox. You also do a body brushing, and it has instructions...it is pages 1-4


http://www.ivillage.co.uk/health/hlive/style/articles/0,,181167_534728,00.html


however all the ladies here gave all that advise...smartie pants they are ;)
heehee

whoa, cool link lisa! That 3-day detox program looks very doable. Very thorough instructions for the dry-skin brushing too, much better than the links I found.

whoa, cool link lisa! That 3-day detox program looks very doable. Very thorough instructions for the dry-skin brushing too, much better than the links I found.

Oh yeah, its the first truly uncomplicated one ive come across! I was going to try the Ann Gittlemans detox plan, but it was just too much for me. My sisters doing it, but she has way more willpower than I do in this area. I dont want to have to buy a ton of stuff to start something, and this ones great. Mostly stuff I already have & a weekend I can spare for myself ;)