Skin Brushing

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Soap, shampoo, conditioner, wash cloth, towel, and you’re just about ready to turn on the water and hop into the shower. Before you do, though, get out that skin brush and give yourself a once-over, because it only takes a minute to detox for the day.

Your lymphatic system lies just under the skin surface and is abundant in the area between your neck and upper legs. The lymph takes up toxic waste and puts it into your liver for elimination. When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick. Incorporating a habit of daily skin brushing assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, encouraging blood to come to your skin’s surface, and giving your lymphatic system a jump start.

Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. Since breast cancer begins in the breast tissue and/or the lymph glands, detoxing through skin brushing helps toxins flush through the lymph and out of your body. You can improve lymphatic drainage through dry skin brushing regularly. The benefits go beyond skin deep, offering whole-body benefits to your health.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, this is a reminder that one thing everyone can do for breast health is to take a minute in the morning to skin brush.

Here's how to give your skin a good dry brushing:

•  Start at the bottom of your feet with small, quick light circles.

•  Run the brush up your legs always moving toward your heart. Make long strokes from ankle to knee and up to the hip. (This will help reduce cellulite.)

•  In your buttocks and pelvic area, take smaller strokes toward the heart, then lengthen them as you move up on your abdomen and back.

•  Make small gentle circles over the entire breast area.

•  Make some small circles on the palm of your hand, then take 4 or 5 long strokes up each arm. concentrating on your upper inner arm (where skin can get droopy).

•  Take a few long strokes under your arms and the sides of your breasts.

•  Take about 9 strokes around your neck, moving from your chin toward your heart.

•  Finally, do the best you can to get your upper back with your brush and handle.

Done!

Remember light even strokes will get the job done - if your brush makes a mark then your stroke is too hard. Also, always use a natural-bristle brush, not synthetic, and one that is just a little stiff. The more experience you get, the quicker your skin brushing will go, and when you step into the shower, your circulation feels bubbly at the skin surface.

In one minute you’ve detoxed your skin, removed dead skin cells, revved up your circulation, and increased the power of your lymph dramatically. After a few weeks, you may even notice tighter, brighter skin.

Have fun with it, and stay healthy!