I HAVEN’T written about skin brushing in years but it is amazing, like fashion, how things come around again.
Dry skin brushing may be the single most important thing you can do for your body every day. Your skin is your largest organ and one of its really important roles is to help excrete toxins from your system. According to experts, it releases a pound of waste each day and is the third most important waste disposal we have after your kidneys and bowel.
Because of this role it is often the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity. If your skin cannot efficiently release toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odour, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution from a range of things including dirt and even skin-care products, can build up and clog your pores, which can prevent your skin from effectively releasing toxins.
We have two systems of transportation within our bodies: blood and lymph. The lymphatic system is an important part of our cleansing and immune system.
White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart.
If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. The lymphatic system relies on the pumping of our muscles. Other activities that stimulate lymph movement include massage and skin brushing, which can be a useful practise in ill health too as movements may be restricted.
Sweating is an important part of detoxification but when your system is clogged, you may experience body odour and extra work is put on to the bladder, kidneys and liver. With regular exercise and skin brushing, a change of diet and increased water consumption, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells.
Skin brushing helps to minimise cellulite but it requires daily brushing for several months to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite.
Dry skin brushing can reduce the length of infections and illness by moving the toxins more quickly through the system and stimulating the lymph to move waste matter out. It can also stimulate the nervous system, tone the muscles and tightens the skin.
Stimulating nerve endings in the skin will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibres. Increasing blood flow to skin and removing dead cells stimulates the creation of new skin cells which tighten and regenerates overall skin health.
Maybe one of the most important benefits of this practice is purely the pleasure of nurturing your body. Learning to love your body is essential for weight loss and the healing of any bodily 'dis-ease'. Spend this time, five to 10 minutes per day, giving your body the attention it craves and deserves.
:: Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
:: Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
:: Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate there a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
:: Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
:: When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
:: Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound.
:: Finish by taking a shower and, if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cocoa butter.
:: Choose a brush that has natural-fibre bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap. The bristles may feel too firm at first but your skin will acclimatise to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning.
:: Roisin Armstrong is a kinesiologist, acupuncturist and EFT practitioner. For appointments in Portglenone call 028 2582 1333, for Holywood and Belfast call 0777 0862 637.
r.armstrong@irishnews.com
