Do Your Skin A Favor!

Christine Baade, lmt, chhc.
Nov 1, 2018
2 min read

Updated: May 6, 2022

The skin is the largest organ in the body with the job of protecting the body from trauma and outside dangers, regulating temperature, and sensing pain. Like with any other organ, it is good practice to pay attention and nurture its health. One way to do this is to start a daily routine of dry brushing your skin in the morning before taking a bath or shower.

Dry brushing, appropriately enough, is exactly what it sounds like - the brushing of the skin with a dry brush. The process removes dry, dead skin cells, leaving the skin fresh and new.

You may be thinking that adding another step to your already busy routine is too much, but besides the baby-soft skin, the benefits of dry brushing go beyond just your skin.

Here are some of the incredible benefits:

Lymphatic System The lymphatic system is comprised of a series of nodes throughout the body that are connected to one another by lymph vessels which run like a river of health which touches every other system in the body.. The nodes contain immune cells that help fight infection within the body or keep harmful substances out. Dry brushing can help to stimulate the lymphatic system to help the body detoxify.

Exfoliation Dry brushing with a natural bristle-brush helps to remove dead skin cells for softer, more vibrant skin.

Natural Energy Boost Dry brushing is said to increase circulation, which in turn leads to a nice post-brush energy boost. Maybe not at night, though!

Also, when done properly, dry brushing feels great!

When shopping for a dry brush you want to look for a brush with natural fibers. Maybe ask in the beauty section at your favorite store if you are having a hard time locating one. Or you can always find one online by searching: ‘natural dry brush for skin’

Once you have yours, try this method to get the softest, smoothest skin:

Start at the inguinal nodes and brush in a light, circular, upward motion. Next, continue brushing upward from the knee to the hip and then from ankle to knee and repeat knee to hip. Covering each section up your leg with 10 light, smooth strokes. To activate that lymphatic system, it is recommended that all strokes along the body be guided toward the lymph nodes of the hips, under arms and heart.
Repeat this process with the arms by starting at the hands and moving up toward the shoulders, brushing each section 10 times.
For the torso and underarms, brush in a circular clockwise motion.
For the face, a more delicate, face specific brush is required as the body brush will be too harsh.

Note: Brushing too hard can cause the skin to turn red or sting. Your strokes should be smooth and soft. It is uncomfortable, you are doing it too hard.

Learn more about Manual Lymphatic Drainage and schedule your next appointment online today!

Relax & Live Well

Magnolia Massage & Wellness

Christine Baade, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist, Health Coach, Yoga Teacher and Founder of Magnolia Massage & Wellness

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