Body Brushing – Exfoliate, Tone and Shine.

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Body Brushing – Exfoliate, Tone and Shine.

Hello again everyone -  Sophie here with another blog full of tips and advice for you. In this series of blogs I am going to looking in some detail at our range of natural brushes and loofahs and show how your skin can hugely benefit from using them.

I’ll give you some lovely cleansing recipe suggestions for using with the brushes and loofahs too.

You may not have heard of body brushing before and it may sound a little strange, but just as brushing is crucial in keeping our hair and teeth in good order, body brushing is important for healthy, smooth skin and has many other benefits besides. Read on to find out more…

Body brushing is not only something that is popular in salons and spas but is also an ancient therapeutic practice. A lot of historical texts and legends talk of massaging skin with various instruments including sand, sticks and rocks. 

So, we’ve known for centuries how important it is to remove dead skin cells through exfoliation. It can help tone the skin, slow down the ageing process, increase circulation, help improve the appearance of cellulite and help ease muscle tension.

Body brushing is typically done using a natural bristle brush or loofah. A long handle and a detachable head is best as this will allow you to get to even those hard to reach areas easily.

Amphora’s Bristle Back Brush is absolutely perfect for body brushing. It has a long handle and removable head with a strap so it’s really easy to use.

Another great brush option is the Sisal Brush (sometimes referred to as a Japanese-Style Sisal brush) made from fibres from the sisal plant. They will typically have a long, wooden handle with string at one end for hanging and the brush at the other.

Or you could always try Sisal Straps. These are great for the back as they are designed with a long, flat brush with two rope handles either end which allows it to be scrubbed across the body in a see-sawing motion.

To help you get the most out of dry body brushings here’s a few easy to follow hints and tips:

The first and most important thing with body brushing is that your skin needs to be dry. So, the perfect time to brush is before you hop into the shower. Brushing shouldn’t really take longer than a few minutes.  

In long sweeping or circular strokes, massage the brush over your skin making sure you are always going towards your heart, so from your feet upwards, and from your neck and arms downwards.

This is important as it helps the lymphatic drainage system to expel toxins. This is a significant step in detoxification of the body and also feels really nice. It’s a great stress-relieving activity too.

For the first few times you use a body brush be sure to be nice and gentle. You can start to add a little more pressure over time.

As you continue to brush your skin you may find that, after overlapping your brush strokes a few times, your skin may begin to redden and tingle. This is a good sign as it shows that your circulation has been stimulated. If it starts to feel sore or uncomfortable then that’s the time to stop.

Once you have dry brushed your body, step into a warm shower and wash as usual. After a few minutes, increase the temperature to very warm for several minutes.

Then turn the water to cold and (if you can!) stay under for 30 seconds. Slowly rotate your body to ensure the cold water flows over all of your skin. Step out and towel dry off. Be brave – you can do it!

If this doesn’t appeal to you, try rinsing just your legs with cool water after brushing for around 30 seconds then shower as usual.

Once you have dried off, is it important to apply a moisturiser. Something natural with no chemicals in is always best - carrier oils like Rosehip Seed Oil or Coconut Oil are lovely for the body. There are lots of other moisturiser blends on the Amphora Blog. 

Dry skin brushing can be done once a week. Morning time is always best – you just need to allow an extra 5 or 10 minutes before you take a shower.

It is important to clean your brush regularly with warm soapy water and allow to air dry. Apart from this it’s best to keep your brush dry and not to use it for regular bathing.

Do not brush any areas on your skin that are broken or infected. This treatment is not suitable if you suffer from any skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis or have any varicose veins.

Thanks for reading! I’ll be back soon with details about some of the other items in our  fantastic range of natural brushes and loofahs. 


Click here to see all my other blogs including lots of tips on natural skincare and beauty.   

Read 2806 times Last modified on Friday, 16 January 2015 15:21
Published in Tips and Advice

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Please note that Amphora Aromatics Ltd cannot be held responsible for any injury, illness or adverse reaction to any recipes, instructions or advice given. It is the responsibility of the end user to ensure that they have followed the relevant safety protocols and that they are aware of any possible side effects before use. We always advise that a skin patch test is carried out before full usage of any natural product whether purchased from ourselves or elsewhere.

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