What Is a Dry Body Brush?
By Patricia Deneen, eHow Contributor
A dry body brush has bristles usually made of natural or synthetic fibers. The term also refers to a popular technique called body brushing used in spas and at home that is believed to enhance health and beauty.
Theories/Speculation
Because the skin is the largest elimination organ of the body, dry body brushing is believed to stimulate the detoxification process. It is also speculated that it helps in detoxifying the lymphatic system, which is important in immune function.
Benefits
Dry body brushing has many benefits, including preventing dry skin by removing dead layers of skin, improving circulation and skin tone, removing cellulite, and strengthening the immune system and digestive function. It also stimulates nerve endings, which increases muscle tone and improves nervous system function.
Combination Therapy
Joint swelling can be reduced, especially if dry brushing is used in conjunction with massage therapy. In spas, dry brushing often precedes other body treatments such as clay wraps, salt scrubs, and aromatherapy massage because it speeds up the penetration time of the ingredients into the skin.
Tools
A long-handled, soft, natural bristle brush used for cleaning the back is good for this technique. Spa technicians generally use smaller brushes because they are able to brush hard-to-reach areas that clients are unable to on their own. A loofah can be substituted if desired.
Techniques
The general technique is to start either at the head or feet with circular brush strokes toward the heart, especially in the lymphatic areas under the underarms. The parts of the body with thicker skin can take heavier strokes while lighter strokes should be done over areas with thinner skin such as the breasts and face.
The technique can be invigorating, which makes it good to do in the morning or whenever a boost in energy is desired. It is best to do body brushing before bathing so that sloughed skin can be washed away in the shower afterward. Moisturizing lotion or massage oil containing detoxifying and skin-softening essential oils can be used after the shower to complete the treatment. It may take upward of 30 days of daily body brushing to reap the many benefits.
Considerations
As with any method that increases circulation, care should be taken by those who have blood pressure or circulatory problems. Broken skin, such as from cuts and rashes, should be avoided because dry brushing can aggravate these areas and cause inflammation or spreading over the body of contagious rashes such as poison ivy.
Read more: What Is a Dry Body Brush? | eHow.com
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