Cellulite? Puffy ankles? Fluid retention? Tired and achy legs? Dry brushing is an easy solution for many little – and not so little – health complaints. Dry brushing
- removes dead skin cells
- reduces fluid retention
- may reduce cellulite
- boosts circulation
- helps detoxification
- stimulates the lymphatic system
and it only takes a few minutes of your time.
Cellulite (Photo: MikeMunoz39, Wikimedia Commons)
Body Brushing and the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is one of the body systems responsible for the removal of toxins. Poor lymph flow can contribute to many health complaints including fluid retention and cellulite, and even poor immunity. Dry brushing is an easy and affordable home treatment for cellulite – all you need is a brush.
Will dry brushing really help to reduce cellulite? The only way to find out is to try, and to do it daily over several months. It is sometimes recommended to brush in the morning; if you don’t have time in the morning brush whenever you can, before shower or bath. You need to brush daily (or at least several times a week if you cannot manage every day), and you need to stick to the routine for several months to see results. Don’t expect cellulite or fluid retention to disappear overnight and don’t give up if miracles don’t happen in a couple of weeks!
How to Dry Brush to Get Rid of Cellulite
Always brush towards the heart/collarbone area. Major lymph nodes are located in this region. Always brush along the direction of the lymph flow. Some people prefer to brush in circles, but moving towards the heart; some people prefer long sweeping strokes. Whatever you do, brush from the extremities towards the heart.
Start from the feet and brush your feet, ankles, lower legs, thighs and buttocks. You can brush your abdomen gently, using clockwise circular moves. Brush from the hands upwards along the arms. There is no need to brush your face. Avoid brushing areas that are very sensitive, sunburned, have open wounds, skin rashes or other skin conditions.
While it can take time to notice any visible changes in your skin tone (or the amount of cellulite), if you brush your legs daily you may soon notice they feel less tired. If you have a tendency for puffy ankles, you may also start to notice less puffiness after brushing for a while. For even better results, use a homemade aromatherapy anti-cellulite massage oil after brushing and shower. Amazon has a selection of affordable brushes, such as this one*. (*affiliate link)
Photo: MikeMunoz39 (Wikimedia Commons)
Is there a certain kind of brush that you recommend for dry brushing?
I just found your blog, lovely!
I like natural brushes – one of my favorite in my practice was a soft boar bristle brush.
I recommend a soft natural brush!