Dry Brushing

I have discovered dry brushing through my friend and former teacher Dr. Ferdie Gallego, a well-known Holistic Physician, when we discussed about colonics and cleansing in his clinic in Cubao, Quezon City, PH. He demonstrate how to do it using dry brush or loofah ( a dried vegetable fiber ), he said it is a good practice from time to time to dry brushing the skin until it perspire and releases toxins. In one event, a Spa and Beauty therapist friend Jen LV, performed to me a dry brushing before some luxurious spa treatments and it was more effective and refreshing, so get a good brush and start doing it now. -RCB

From underground health reporter:

A 5-Minute Technique That Regenerates Your Cells and Boosts Your Immune System 

Did You Know... 

...that you can boost your lymphatic system ... improve your circulation ...regenerate your cells ... eliminate cellulite ... and give your skin a radiant and glowing appearance easily ... by using the dry brushing technique?

Dry Brushing Offers Powerful Detoxification 

The skin is the body's largest organ of elimination. Your skin is able to eliminate as much as one-fourth of the total toxins that your body filters out--up to 2 pounds of waste each day! But in order for your skin to do its job, it needs to be kept healthy and uncongested. That's why health experts recommend a very simple technique called dry brushing. It involves the use of a soft natural bristle brush to gently remove dead skin cells.

Dr. Gloria Gilbère, a renowned natural health practitioner, explains the value of dry brushing this way: "[With] today's sedentary life-style, general lack of exercise, and use of antiperspirants ... toxins and metabolic waste products become trapped in the body instead of being released with sweat." Dry brushing stimulates the sweat glands and exfoliates the skin.

Benefits of Dry Brushing:

Faster elimination of toxins 

Improved blood flow and circulation 

Reduced cellulite 

Accelerated lymphatic flow 

Exfoliation of the skin 

Cell regeneration 

Stimulates sebaceous glands 

Boosts immune system 

Opens pores and cleanses skin 

The "Second Circulatory System"

One of the most important benefits of dry brushing is the stimulation of the lymphatic system, sometimes called the "second circulatory system." The lymphatic system cleans up the waste created by virtually all the other systems of the body. The human body has twice as much lymph fluid than it has blood. But unlike the circulatory system, which has the heart to keep the blood flowing, the lymphatic system does not have a 'pump' to push the lymph fluids around the body. It relies on our breathing and movement in order to perform its function of protecting the body by removing dead cells, blood proteins and any other toxins ... and excreting them from the body.

If the movement of the lymph were to stop entirely for 24 hours, one would die as a result of the trapped toxins and proteins surrounding our cells.

Dry brushing your skin will stimulate and improve the lymphatic system. Since the flow of lymph easily becomes sluggish—especially if you don't do rebounding exercises, or do deep breathing (the 2 activities that keep lymph circulating properly), dry brushing can enhance the flow of lymph through your body.

Increased lymph flow benefits your health in many ways, because it ...

Rejuvenates the white blood cells
Stimulates the liver, pancreas, and thyroid
Improves digestion
Cleanses the kidneys and joints
Increases immunity
Helps the body fight diseases

Dry brushing also improves blood circulation itself, and helps to release toxins from the skin—keeping them from circulating throughout your body.

Eliminates Cellulite—and Improves the Appearance and Texture of Your Skin, Not only does dry brushing detoxify your body ... it also dramatically improves the feel and look of your skin. It does this by first, removing dead skin cells, thereby allowing the skin to breath and absorb nutrients. Second, it increases blood flow and flushes out toxins, which helps prevent and eliminate cellulite(which is caused by stored toxins). Dry brushing will lead to smoother, healthier-looking skin—especially on your hips and thighs.

How to Do the Dry Brushing Technique 

Health experts recommend a brush with natural bristles made from boar hair or plant fiber (or even a loofah). Synthetic bristles can cause irritation—and should be avoided.

The actual brushing process is quite simple, and should take no more than 5 minutes. Experts have many specific patterns and recommendations, but in general, they advise the following method:

Start at your feet and brush gently in small circular motions from toes to heel. 

Continue up each leg, and as you reach your waist, turn your strokes slightly inward towards your groin (where lymph nodes are located). 

To brush your arms, start at the finger tips and brush all the way up to your shoulders and armpits. 

Next, brush your back from lower to upper. 

Brush your stomach (downward strokes from navel toward hips and upward strokes from navel toward chest, avoiding breasts). 

Rinse off, and take a shower for the best possible results. 

Dry brushing will be most effective if done at least twice weekly. However, more frequent dry brushing will bring faster results. The direction of the strokes is important because it targets and stimulates the lymphatic system more effectively than brushing at random. If you want to dry brush your face, experts recommend a softer brush or a dry wash cloth. Brushing should be even gentler on the soft, sensitive facial skin.