Easy Skincare Tips

HOW TO DRY BRUSH

HOW TO DRY BRUSH
Dry brushing leaves your skin exfoliated and more readily able to excrete toxins through sweat, absorb the nutrients you apply with lotions and oils, and helps your lymph flow to keep your body healthy, and it takes less than 5 minutes. Ayurvedic texts recommend daily skin brushing to keep the urinary system working properly, as the skin is known as the third kidney. Properly conditioned skin will have less breakouts and other undesirable skin conditions.

Steps: 1. Use a natural bristle brush, preferably with a long handle, and start at your feet, working upward in a circular motion toward your abdomen. The historical theory is to move all of the toxins in your bloodstream and lymph toward your digestive system so that it can be eliminated from the body. 2. Continue to brush, lightly, over the buttocks and abdomen, then start at the hands and arms, again working toward the abdomen. Complete the brushing of your back and chest in the same fashion. 3. Shower immediately after brushing to remove the dead skin, using soap only if necessary, as it tends to dry out the skin. 4. Repeat daily.
Tips * Drink plenty of water and get plenty of bouncing type exercise, such as jogging or rebounding to keep the lymph flowing. * It is not necessary to brush hard, a gentle exfoliation is better than a rough one. * Take a detox bath after brushing for added benefits.
Warnings: Do not brush over broken skin, irritated areas, or other bruised or abnormal areas. This information is to be used for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease, seek medical assistance if needed.

HOW TO TAKE A DETOX BATH Detoxification of your body through bathing is an ancient remedy that anyone can perform in the comfort of their own home. Your skin is known as the third kidney, and toxins are excreted through sweating. A detox bath will assist your body in eliminating toxins, as well as absorbing the minerals and nutrients that are in the water.

1. Prepare your bath on a day that you have at least 40 minutes available, as the first 20 minutes are said to help your body remove the toxins, while the second 20 minutes are for absorbing the minerals in the water.

2. Fill your tub with comfortably hot water, using a chlorine filter if possible.

3. Add 2 cups or more (up to 16 lbs) of Epsom Salts, aka magnesium sulphate. This can be purchased in 3 lb bags or 1 lb cartons at discount stores in the garden center, or in the pharmaceutical area, or ordered from garden centers in 50 lb bags. It’s very inexpensive.

4. Add 1 to 2 cups or more of Baking Soda, aka sodium bicarbonate. This is said to help eliminate the chlorine in the water, as well as soften the water, and help the body to absorb the magnesium. Large bags can usually be found in the swimming pool chemical area, or the boxes from the bakery aisle will work fine.

5. Know that Epsom Salts and Baking Soda bath is a detox bath in and of itself, other items can be added for further effects. Ground ginger, or fresh ginger tea both work quite well. The ginger is heating to the body and may cause your skin to turn slightly red for a few minutes, so be careful with the amount you add. Depending on the capacity of your tub, and your sensitivity, anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cup can be added. Most people sweat profusely with the addition of the ginger, and if you wrap your body in a blanket immediately after getting out of the tub, you can continue to detoxify through perspiration for another couple of hours. This is especially beneficial if you are trying to rid the body of a bug of some sort, like the flu, or a cold.

6. Add aromatherapy oils; this is optional, but there are many oils that will help the bath to be a pleasant and relaxing experience, such as lavendar, or ylang ylang, or those that will assist in the detoxification process such as tea tree or eucalyptus. Around 20 drops is sufficient.

7. Swish all of the ingredients into the tub, and soak for as long as you can, preferably 20 minutes. You should start sweating within the first few minutes, and the longer the better, up to 20 minutes. If you feel too hot, start adding cold water into the tub until you cool off. Sit in the cool water another 20 minutes, if you can. When you get out of the tub, move slowly and carefully, as your body has been working hard and you may get lightheaded or feel weak and drained.

TIPS: * Take a large, 32 oz or more, glass of water with you into the tub and drink plenty before, during and after the bath to help your body excrete the toxins. * Don’t eat immediately before or after the bath. * Relax for the rest of the day and allow your body to continue to detoxify and heal itself. * Other additives historically used by some are hydrogen peroxide, 2 cups, grapefruit seed oil, 1 Tablespoon, and herbs such as rosemary and thyme. * Have your towel nearby the tub and ready so that you can wrap up immediately and continue the detox. * Shower off the Epsom Salts, if desired, but it’s not necessary, and it benefits your body more if you wait until morning. * Dry brush your skin before the bath for further benefits.
WARNINGS Do not take a hot bath or a detox bath if you are pregnant, or have heart, or any other health issues. This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or otherwise take the place of the advice of your licensed healthcare practitioner.

Copyright Kristin Rockey http://diva-within.com