Our active skin

Just as your eyes are the mirror to your soul, the skin is a reflection of your health. And, although skin appears to passively cover our bodies, it’s actually working hard for us, transforming every minute of every day. In fact, we lose and replace from 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells every minute.

As skin cells die, some will slough off through natural means, such as bathing or brushing against clothing. Other dead skin cells, however, remain on the surface of our skin, causing a dry, flaky layer to accumulate and clog our pores.

Benefits of body brushing

Here’s how body brushing helps our skin. It:

• Clears the skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria from the surface and pores of the skin. This leads to clearer skin, since acne occurs when dead skin mixes with bacteria and sebum.

• Increases blood flow. The massaging action of body brushing stimulates blood flow, bringing nutrients and oxygen to the surface of the skin. According to dermatologist, Howard Murad, M.D., author of The Cellulite Solution, this is why body brushing keeps cellulite at bay. Plus, that massaging action can help relieve tension and stress.

• Boosts other products’ benefits. Dead skin cells can prevent products from penetrating the skin. When this layer of dead skin is removed with body brushing, formulas are able to sink into skin. For instance, moisturizers can then do their job of helping skin retain moisture. Skin ends up looking smoother and softer.

Picking out the brush

Body brushing requires only one inexpensive tool: a brush. Here are a few points to consider when choosing a good body brush:

• Natural bristles. After all, these bristles will touch your skin every day.
• Long handle. This gets at those hard-to-reach spots, like the middle of your back.
• Removable handle. This lets you easily maneuver the brush along your arms and belly.
• Price. You can buy a good body brush for about $5 to $20.

Step-by-step brushing

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. The technique of body brushing is often referred to as dry brushing. This is because the treatment should be done while your skin is dry, immediately before bathing.
2. Start at your toes, brushing the soles of your feet first. You can apply firmer pressure since the skin here tends to be tougher.
3. Moving toward your heart, brush in long smooth strokes, brushing the tops of your feet, calves, shins, knees and thighs.
4. Brush the buttocks, thighs and hips in circular motions.
5. Next brush your back, reaching all areas of your skin using a long-handled brush.
6. Brush your belly and chest in circular motions, avoiding the delicate skin of your nipples and décolletage.
7. To brush your hands and arms, start from your fingertips and brush in long strokes toward your heart, brushing palms and tops of your hands, forearms, elbows, upper arms and shoulders.
8. Do not brush your neck or face, since the skin is sensitive and requires a gentler exfoliation technique.
9. After brushing, take a shower or bath to wash off dead skin cells loosened through the process.
10. Apply your moisturizing lotion after body brushing. Your skin can better absorb the product now.

Important considerations

Keep the following in mind during body brushing:

• Brush from feet to the chest area and toward the heart.

• Use gentler strokes on more sensitive areas of the skin.

• Do not brush the delicate skin on your neck, face, nipples or inner thighs.

• Avoid brushing areas with rashes, cuts, scabs or any other irritation or damage.

Fortunately, body brushing is an inexpensive way to exfoliate your skin and offers a bounty of benefits. By brushing for only a few minutes each day, skin can look smoother, softer and more radiant. Body brushing helps reflect a healthier you.

See also:

Caring for Your Body

How to Relieve Tight Skin