I translated this article from a beauty magazine, hope it comes in handy:
Brush the skin soft
Drybrushing is an unfailing advice to get softer and more beautiful skin. Brushing the skin regularly works against dry skin, reduces cellulite and strengthens problem areas.
You only have to try once to feel how good it does the skin to drybrush it; after only about 3 minute brushing it becomes softer and more beautiful and the body becomes invigorated from top to toe. If you make it a habit to brush the skin regularly you'll soon notice that it becomes firmer and softer. Regular brushing also increases bloodstream and stimulates the lymphatic vessel system and thereby helps the body to get rid of several excreta that cause cellulite.
What's most important is to use a dry brush on dry skin - if the skin is wet when it's brushed it can stretch. It's ideal to brush the skin before taking a shower or a bath but beware to always brush towards the heart. If you do this three times a week you will soon see and feel a big difference.
Many advantages:
- Cleans away dry and dead skin and softens hard skin.
- Activates reneval of skincells because dead skincells recede for new ones - the skin becomes softer and smoother.
- Reduces cellulite - thighs and butt become firmer and shapely.
- Increases bloodstream so the skin gets a healthier color.
- Stimulates the lympatic vessel system and helps the body to get rid of excreta.
- Increases oxygenflow and strengthens and boosts the body.
- Prevents ingrown hairs if brushed regularly.
Five steps toward softer skin
Start with the legs and brush towards the heart.
1 - Start at the toes and brush with long and soft movements towards the knee.
2 - Brush harder counter-clockwise over hips, butt and thighs.
3 - Brush the stomach softly with circular motions and continue up to the breasts.
4 - Brush with long strokes from the lower back and up with short strokes from the shoulders and down.
5 - End by brushing with long strokes from the hands up to the elbow and from the elbow and up to the shoulders.
Experts advice:
It's best to drybrush the skin in the morning to start the circulation. If it's done in the evening it can be hard to fall asleep.
Brush the problems away
Little spots on the arms:
Some people have little spots on the arms that develop because dead skin cells accumulate around the hairglands. Solve the problem by spending a few seconds brushing tightly with short strokes from the elbow and up to the shoulder. Also use a peeling cream once a week and then apply a good mousturizer on the area every night - still let the skin absorb the cream before going to bed.
Dry elbows:
Dead skincells can accumulate on the elbows so they look twenty years older than other parts of the body. It's easy to get rid of this gray and dry skin by brushing the elbows carefully with circular movements. Also make it a habit to apply handlotion to the elbows a few times a day.
Hard skin on the heels:
It's common that the skin on the heels becomes dry and hard and even bursts. By brushing the heels you can prevent this problem. It also does the feet good to take a foot bath every week and scrub them well with a good pimpstone.
Good and bad
Good: Brushing the same area often - one time doesn't remove dead skin cells.
Bad: Brushing the nipples - some areas are too sensitive for hard brushhair.
Good: washing the brush regularly - dead skin easily sticks in the hairs.
Bad: If the skin becomes redflecked - it's cleaning and will get over it.
Good: Brushing the skin before applying selftanning creams - then the color will be more even.
Bad: Brushing the skin if you have a skin disease - get advice from a doctor first.