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If you are above 50 years and feel like your skin is aging up tremendously, perhaps it’s time you considered dry brushing it. From cellulite improvement to general circulation to lymphatic drainage, women everywhere are adopting dry bushing.
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Contents
How and Why to Take Up Dry Brushing
Notably, this practice has been in existence for a long time but in recent years, it has gained a lot of publicity due to its effectiveness. Currently, you will mostly find dry brushing services included in the menu of spas and massage parlors.
If you are new to dry brushing concept, it is the brushing of your skin using a dry brush which is mostly done before taking a shower. For maximum benefits, you should brush your skin towards the heart starting from the hands, feet and then towards the chest.
Below are the reasons you should consider dry brushing your aging skin.
Helps Remove Waste
When you hit 50 years, your waste removal system will not be as effective as it was during your teenage years. As such, there can be stubborn toxins which might be lingering inside your system posing health risks.
However, by dry brushing your skin, you will get the lymphatic system moving, which will consequently help the body to metabolize.
Markedly, the major cause of inflammation is lymph congestion. Massaging the lymph nodes using a dry brush help shed toxins and excess water.
Improves Blood Flow
Dry brushing your skin improve blood flow, which boosts the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to your body cells. Also, metabolic waste will be removed at a faster rate, thus helping your body remain clean.
As a woman who has already hit 50 years, you will have gone through many things in life including childbirth and hence poor blood circulation can lead to swelling and pain in muscles that were affected during earlier events of your life.
Improves Cellulite
As a woman who is over 50 years, you will most likely have fat deposits below your skin which is a predisposing factor to many lifestyle diseases. However, by dry brushing the skin, these fats will be softened which consequently minimizes the appearance of cellulite.
Furthermore, if you have some lumpy spots which you don’t feel comfortable with, dry brushing the skin will work wonders.
Exfoliates Skin
This routine is perfect if you are looking to exfoliate your skin. Through dry brushing, you will be removing dead skin which helps unclog the pores
Wakes Nervous System
By dry brushing your aging skin, the nerve endings in the skin will be stimulated which helps wake up the nervous system. This is particularly important if you are feeling tired and sluggish and want to regain your energy.
Improves Skin Tone
After hitting 50 years, your skin tone will start fading which will most likely make you uncomfortable. However, by stimulating the nervous system, you will additionally be stimulating the muscle fibers. This will lead to the building of muscle tone hence counteracting the sagging skin.
Eases Anxiety
By dry brushing your skin, you will have stress-relieving and soothing experience which helps ease tension in the body. Notably, when doing the procedure, you have an opportunity of connecting with your sensations, feelings, and self-image of your body.
How to Dry Brush
It’s important to follow some basic principles when beginning your dry brush routine.
Pick a Brush
When selecting the brush, you should go for one that is firm and has a long handle. Pick a Dry Brush with natural bristles instead of synthetic ones. This allows you to reach all the parts of your body including the back. The brush doesn’t have to be expensive but considering that it is your health we are talking about, the price should not be an issue.
Start with Dry skin
The best time to dry brush your skin is before taking a shower and not the other way round. This way, you are assured that the skin is completely dry hence you can make a complete body exfoliation without the risk of removing your skin’s natural oils.
After the procedure, you can proceed to take a shower to help rinse the impurities and dry skin cells.
Brush in the Morning
After waking up, you might feel sluggish especially if you didn’t have enough sleep. In case you have a long day ahead of you, skin brushing in the morning will energize you.
By dry brushing the skin, your blood will flow smoothly, and the nervous system will be on point hence you will be ready to face the day. However, there is no wrong time to dry brush the skin so it all depends on your shower routine.
Follow the Lymph
You will notice that the lymph flows towards the heart hence it is essential to brush in the same direction. You should start with your feet going up towards the chest. You should at least conduct the procedure three times for each area to ensure maximum benefits.
In case there are sections you can reach, you can always have your children or grandchildren help you out.
Use Gentle Pressure
You have the liberty of using any level of pressure you feel comfortable with. However, you should avoid dry brushing too hard since you can end up injuring the skin.
As such, it is advisable to use medium pressure which is comparable to light sweeping of the skin as opposed to hard scrubbing. After the procedure, your skin can be slightly pink but if it becomes red or inflamed, chances are that you used excess pressure.
Markedly, dry brushing is not meant to be painful but rather, it feels good and enjoyable. In case your skin is sunburned or inflamed, you should avoid brushing it.
Add Essential Oils
Before dry brushing your sagging or aging skin, you should add cellulite-fighting oils to the brush. This will assist your body release fluid and also tone the skin.
If you are looking to repair a sagging skin, cypress, grapefruit, and rosemary are good picks. To bring down puffiness, you should use geranium, juniper berry, or fennel.
You can add these oils by pouring between three and five drops on your palm and then gliding the brush bristles across the palm. This will saturate them with essential oils.
Take your Time
In most scenarios, you might be tempted to hurriedly carry out the procedure in case you have other pressing things to do.
However, this will not give you the desired effect hence you should force yourself to slow down.
You should at least make dry brushing a meditative practice which will help you focus on every part of the body. By closing your eyes and checking in with your body, you will have the most incredible experience.
Cover Inner Thighs and Armpits
Considering that the inner thighs and armpits are major lymphatic drainage spots, dry brushing them will be very helpful since most of the body toxins will be released. Also, blood circulation will improve in those areas especially if you have a habit of crossing your ankles.
Expect an Itchy or Tingly Feeling Afterwards
If you feel discomfort after completing the procedure, you most probably applied too much pressure. To resolve this, you can consider using less pressure during your next brushing session.
However, if you feel as if you are shedding too much dead skin leading to improved blood circulation, you should continue with the same amount of pressure.
To avoid itchy feeling, you should use a little coconut oil to moisturize and nourish the skin after taking a shower.
Don’t Dry Brush after Showering
Notably, like any other task, it is easy to forget to brush your skin only to remember after taking the shower. You might be tempted to do it but that is not an advisable option.
After taking the shower, your skin will be wet and chances of scrapping off its natural oils are very high. Also, you will not have a chance of rinsing off the impurities and dead skin unless you take another shower.
The good thing would be to leave your brush outside the shower room to help you remember what you are supposed to do before hopping into the shower room. Alternatively, you can have a sticky note on your bathroom’s door which is a very helpful reminder.
Wash the Brush
After every session, you should clean your brush using warm water and soap and then let it dry. This way, you are assured that your skin will not get any infections due to poor hygiene.
Support the Procedure with other Detox Practices
Even though dry brushing will make your skin look healthy and young, you need to exercise, get enough sleep, drink a lot of water, and eat well in order to experience these benefits.
In conclusion
If you are a woman above 50 years of age, you will most have a sagging skin fill of wrinkles and stretch marks.
To rectify that scenario and help you regain your confidence, you need to dry brush your skin which will improve blood circulation and muscle tone.
By following the above procedure, you will comfortably carry out the procedure at your house and consequently enjoy the aforementioned benefits.
