Awhile back a client recommended I look into skin brushing. The first thing I thought was, “That’s all I need, another process in my life!” I heard great things about skin brushing but didn’t think it necessary to add to my already busy schedule. Then another client recommended it – I began to take the hint. My rule of thumb is if more than one person recommends something it’s worth checking out. So I jumped online to order reasonable brush to try this long-held procedure (dating back to the athletes in Greece).
I’ve been skin brushing DAILY for 44 days now and yup – definitely hooked! I skin brush every morning before showering (yes, you skin brush on dry skin) and from day one have found it an immediately invigorating experience. It’s as if every part of my body truly wakes up for the day and is ready to take on anything. It seems like something just for the ladies but is extremely effective for men as well.
What Exactly Is Skin Brushing?
Skin brushing is the daily jump-start to your lymphatic system! Remember from the Massage Biology 101 entry that this system is our body-guard. It does the following to keep us going in our lives:
- Strengthens the immune system overall
- Increases the number of natural killer cells and their activity
- Relieves stress
- Waste removal for our circulatory system
- Eliminates toxins
- Improves blood circulation and removes sweat (great for athletes)
- Diminishes spider veins over time
What’s this mean and why am I writing about it? We can get over the bad stuff quicker and with more energy: colds, viruses, flu, Candida, cancers, etc. This is a fantastic self-care routine to aid regular massage. As massage flushes the lymphatic system as well, daily skin brushing will keep the body clean going into the appointment, which means even more effective massage sessions with quicker benefits!
Skin brushing is so easy it’s a bit embarrassing I haven’t been doing this and promoting it from the beginning of my massage career. It fits easily into the daily routine and only takes 5-10 minutes before a shower to do.
Ok, But Why Skin Brushing?
Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies. We overlook it as a rule but it’s actually responsible for 15% of our toxin elimination. Skin brushing removes the top layer of our skin, the dead cells, to encourage new cells to grow. By unclogging pores, toxins are eliminated with more efficiency. What else does skin brushing do for us:
- Improves lymph drainage
- Releases toxins
- Encourages new cell renewal
- Promotes tighter skin
- Boosts circulation
- Exfoliates
- Reduces cellulite
Choosing A Brush
The type of brush used does make a big difference, and it doesn’t have to be pricey. Natural bristles are a must as synthetic bristles scratch and contain toxic chemicals, which defeats the purpose of skin brushing. The bristles should be fairly stiff as firmer bristles with have a greater effect on your circulation. I purchased the Yerba Prima Tampico Skin Brush off Amazon. Buy-in is only $10 and it does a great job. It has a removable handle which makes for easier access around the body. There are more expensive ones for serious “brushers” and one day I may graduate up to the big leagues. But for now, this one treats me well.
How To Do It
There is a very specific routine for skin brushing. To help boost the lymphatic system a rigid order and natural flow need to occur. For the beginning routine I use feel free to email me and I’ll send it your way. Remember, every bit helps in getting us all feeling good in our skin again.
See you on the table!