Discovering New Ways to Achieve Full-Body Benefits

My Series from November 2011Do you remember the cleansing brush called “Kyoto Premium” that I introduced in my November 2011 series? It’s a brush used during shampooing, but as the title of that article suggested – “Scalp Massage for a Beautiful Head, Skin, and Hair, Plus Enhanced Flexibility!” – I use it primarily for massaging my scalp. It feels wonderful, and I’ve been using it since last year, believing that massaging the head contributes to beautiful skin, a lifted appearance, and even mental flexibility. This month, quite by chance, I discovered a new way to use it that delivers immediate and reliable results, as the title implies, and even offers full-body benefits. (Is that an exaggeration?)

One day, while massaging my head with the brush as usual, I noticed my neck felt particularly stiff. Casually, I applied the brush to my neck and thought, “Oh, this feels good!” Surprised, I wondered about my shoulder stiffness. Applying it to my shoulders elicited, “Wow, this is incredibly soothing!!” I then tried it on the back of my neck, from the base of my ears down to my collarbones, and from the base of my neck to my shoulders. Everywhere felt wonderfully relaxing! Plus, since it’s a battery-operated electric model, I just need to hold it and glide it. This means I can do it without getting tired, and the vibrations seem to effectively address stiffness.

Searching for other areas that felt good, I found them. Around my ears. I had applied it here before, but this time I was more thorough and detailed. First, I gently massaged the area around my temples in circles. Then, I circled the upper and back parts of my ears, and the lobes, with a whirring sound. The sensation was so pleasant that my hands naturally moved to massage my entire hairline and temples. Looking in the mirror afterward, I was astonished. My skin appeared visibly brighter, as if it had lightened by a couple of shades!

From Head to Toe: Pampering with the "Kyoto Premium" Brush!

The stiffness in my neck and shoulders, and around my ears, had eased, improving blood and lymph circulation, which in turn brightened my skin. It makes sense. When I think about it, relieving stiffness not only in my head but also in my neck and shoulders would naturally benefit my skin. I wish I had realized this sooner! But honestly, who would have thought a cleansing brush could also help with shoulder stiffness? (laughs) “If it works for my shoulders, it must work for stiffness all over my body!” I thought, and decided to try massaging my entire body. First, I massaged the palms of my hands in circles. Next, from the inside of my wrists to the inside of my elbows, I glided the brush upwards towards the base of my arms. I did the same for the back of my hands, moving up to the base of my shoulders. I also massaged the back of my shoulders and around my shoulder blades (as far as I could reach). To my surprise, perhaps due to reduced swelling, faint muscle lines appeared on my arms, shoulders, and shoulder blades! This result fueled my enthusiasm even further. “Having two brushes would make massaging easier and feel even better!” I immediately decided to buy another one. As expected, massaging my head, ears, and neck from both sides simultaneously was even more effective and twice as enjoyable.

Ultimately, I found that using two brushes was beneficial for everything except the shoulders and arms. Here’s how I massage other areas. First, I sandwich the tops of my feet between the brushes and glide them (so, just holding them there is fine). Then, for the tops of my feet, I use a stroking motion from the toes towards the ankle (this feels surprisingly good). For the ankles, I sandwich them between the brushes and rotate (this also feels great). Then, from the ankles up my calves and thighs, to the groin area, I sandwich and glide upwards. Next, I massage the kidney areas on both sides of my lower back, moving up and down (this is incredibly soothing!). Then, from the kidneys, I stroke towards the front of my abdomen and the groin area, following the path of the lymph. This not only defines my muscles but also aids kidney function and cinches the waist.—And so, I discovered this revolutionary (?) method of massaging my entire body, from head to toe, with one or two cleansing brushes.

The Sensation of "Feeling Good" is Crucial for Mental Well-being

A word of caution: for areas other than the scalp, apply a small amount of oil before use. I personally warm some Ayurvedic sesame oil, apply it all over my body, let it absorb, and then use the cleansing brush. And another thing: as mentioned above, move the brush not only along the lymph pathways but also along the muscle lines. This not only benefits blood and lymph circulation but also helps define muscle contours.

For those of you considering trying this, a word of advice: while this brush works well for my muscles and skin, some might find its firmness insufficient (especially men), while others might find it too hard and potentially painful (particularly petite women). Therefore, I encourage you to find a brush with a firmness that feels “just right” for you. The key is to choose a brush whose material and hardness feel pleasant against your skin. I favor rubber, which might be the best option for skin. Avoid brushes with materials that could scratch your skin or those with overly sharp tips. Opting for an electric model will also prevent hand fatigue and enhance effectiveness. One more important note: when massaging your scalp, do not apply strong pressure while brushing. Lift the brush slightly from the scalp at each spot before moving to the next. Avoid large circular motions; instead, use small, gentle circles. Doing so will prevent hair breakage.

While this method promises beautiful skin and relief from full-body swelling, its greatest advantage is undoubtedly the profound sense of “feeling good” it provides. After all, this sensation is vital not only for beauty and health but also for mental well-being. So, if you’re feeling stressed or listless, I highly recommend giving it a try. Simply applying the brush to areas that feel “good” can yield results!