Dry Skin? Dry Brush!
Itchy arms, flaky legs? The heat’s on inside your home and office, and the resulting dry, flaky skin can really be a drag. This is one of my favorite solutions to prevent it, and keep that beautiful outer layer of yours as soft as you want it to be.
Dry Body Brushing is a centuries old method of stimulating the skin with a natural bristle brush, removing dry, dead, old skin cells with it. It has the added benefits of stimulating your lymphatic system, diminishing cellulite, keeping your immunity strong and making you more resistant to colds and flu.
You will need a natural bristle brush that can be found at the supermarket, health food store or pharmacy. They generally have a long handle, and look like a back brush; my favorite one has a shorter handle that makes it easier to navigate.
There are connoisseurs of dry brushing who will tell you to begin at the bottom, always work towards the heart, and use small circles to remove the dead skin. I say, do what works for you. Most of us will naturally brush up our arms and up our legs; go ahead and use small circles if it feels good. The key point is to do it every day, twice if you can.
Avoid any tender, thin skin areas, like the inner thigh if it’s uncomfortable, and dry brush prior to showering if possible, so that the shower removes all the dead skin cells.
The first time might feel funny, a little scratchy and you may wonder if this is for you. Use gentle strokes, and keep at it. By the third day you’ll find you may not need body lotion on your legs, and your skin will begin to feel silky in a young, summery kind of way.
Stick with it through the Winter, and enter Spring next year as a new you!
