This week I started a plan to get my pre-pregnancy body back. It includes safe detoxes of all sorts. One of them is dry brushing! This is a wonderful ritual and a must before you come for your airbrush tan. The quality of your exfoliation determines the quality of your tan! Give it a try and let us know what results you get with it.

How Does it Work?

Dry brushing stimulates the body’s circulation and lymphatic systems. Many naturopathic doctors use dry brushing to help with bloating because massaging the lymph nodes helps the body shed excess water and toxins. One of the immediate effects of dry brushing is smoother skin, but it can also help improve digestion, kidney function, and more.

Dry Brush Basics

You can pick up a dry brush at most health food stores. Make sure to get a brush made with natural, not synthetic, bristles that is fairly stiff. The best time to dry brush is first thing in the morning, before you shower, but you can also do it before bed.

Technique: How to Dry Brush

Begin at the ankles and brush upward using light but firm strokes. You always want to brush toward the heart because that is the way the lymph flows naturally. After you finish your legs, brush your stomach, arms, and shoulders. Your skin may be a little pink afterward, but it shouldn’t hurt—if it does, you need to lay off the pressure! Avoid sensitive areas such as open cuts, abrasions and any patches of eczema or psoriasis.

Hot Tip

After dry brushing, drink a glass of hot water and lemon to help jumpstart your digestive system. Even if your next move is toward the doughnut tray, at least you’ll have started the day off on the right foot.