DOSSIER

We always hear about detoxing, which usually comes in the form of juice cleanses and sweating in a sauna, but there is no need for such extreme temperatures and restrictions to detox. Skin is our largest organ, so when you pull out the toxins from your skin, it helps to detox your entire body. One way to do this is by dry brushing. The thing I like best about dry brushing is that it doesn’t involve putting another product on your skin, instead it exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores and reduces cellulite (which are just toxins trapped in your fat cells). Dry brushing also stimulates the lymphatic system which helps remove toxins from your body.

Here are the simple steps for dry brushing:

1- Pick up a non-synthetic dry brush, I use this one. It helps to get one with a detachable long handle so you can use it without the handle on your front side and with the handle in your hard to reach areas.

2- Take your clothes off and stand in the shower. I usually turn the shower on but stand out of the water so my body remains dry but the bathroom is steamy and warm. While dry brushing, dead skin cells will flake off your body, so standing in the shower is best for easy clean up.

3- Start brushing at your feet in long strokes towards your heart. Always brush towards your heart because this is where the main lymphatic system drains. Be sure to brush every area of your body multiple times, take care when brushing delicate areas, like your breasts. Your skin will slowly build up a tolerance to brushing, but at first it can hurt a little.

4- After you have brushed your entire body, get in the shower. Alternate between very hot and very cold temperatures throughout your shower. This constricts and releases your blood vessels and opens and closes your pores which all aid in the detoxification process. Bonus: Rinsing your hair with cold water right before you get out of the shower closes the hair follicles and reduces frizz.

5- When you get out of the shower, slather your body in coconut, avocado, rose hip or jojoba oil. I prefer to put oil on while I am still wet, it locks in moisture and makes for easy application of the oil.

 It is recommended to dry brush twice a day for best results, but in my mind, dry brushing anytime is better than not dry brushing at all. Logical? Probably not, but that’s my school of thought on dry brushing. I dry brush every time I shower, which is usually every other day and the skin on my body is extra soft, has better circulation which results in more pigmentation. I also feel more rejuvenated after my shower.