Skin Brushing for Better Health
Dry skin brushing is a natural method of daily hygiene that has many benefits and has been around for a very long time. The skin is a major organ of the body that functions as protection and as a means of elimination.
What daily skin brush will do
- Removes dried, dead cells which block the pores of the skin, allowing the skin to breathe easier and increasing its ability to protect and eliminate the waste products of metabolism.
- Increases circulation of the blood and lymph vessels that lie close to the surface just under the skin. The blood, fluid, and its contents are returned to the heart for redistribution and/or elimination.
- Increases the nutrients to the skin. By clearing out stagnant materials, there is increase oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange, and other nutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes etc., are also brought to the area.
- Removal of waste products of cellular metabolism through the blood vessels and through sweating.
- Decreases the work load on the rest of the body in regard to circulation and elimination.
- Warms the skin
PROCEDURE 
Skin brushing should be done with a natural bristle body brush or a nylon bristle brush before the bath or the shower, but can replace the bath if no water is available.
It is suggested the brushing be done toward the heart; start with the lower limbs, arms, back, then the front of the body, using a moderate pressure with short strokes upward and inward. See diagram. If you have a soft complexion brush, the face can be done as well using more circular motions.
Strokes should bring a slight pink color to the skin or a slight tingling sensation to the skin – never bruising, scraping, bleeding or pain.
One time through for each body area is sufficient.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- delicate skin
- easily damaged skin
- never on or over an open wound
- known malignancies of the skin or lymph system
Contact us if you have any questions about skin brushing or other hydrotherapy techniques. Dr. Keri Brown offers a seminar on learning hydrotherapy for yourself or your clinic staff.