Twice a day, when the skin is dry before bathing

A body brush isn't anything special; it's the kind you use to wash your body in the bath. I've become devoted to brushing my entire body with it twice a day, when my skin is dry before bathing. Actually, this method was introduced in one of Dominique Loreau's books, "Simple Living, Beautiful Body" (Gentoshya). Dry brushing promotes the elimination of waste products and improves conditions like dark spots on elbows and toes, roughness on knees and heels, dry cuticles, and calluses or peeling skin on the feet. What I've personally experienced after practicing this for a month is that my skin has gained a new clarity. I was surprised to realize that body skin could have such clarity (though perhaps it did long ago). And how wonderfully refreshing dry brushing feels. The moment I step into the bath, I feel a sense of release, a "Fwaaaah~".

My Method for Dry Brushing

The technique begins with the toes: the tops of the feet (surprisingly pleasant), heels, and ankles. Then, moving up the legs to the calves, knees, and thighs, I brush in large, spiraling motions, covering the outer and inner sides, front and back. I pay special attention to the knees. After brushing the abdomen in circles, I brush towards the groin, as if encouraging lymph flow. I also brush the waist area with upward strokes towards the groin. For the chest, I brush each breast in a clockwise motion. Then, for the arms, I start with the undersides of the wrists and brush the entire underside up to the armpits. Next, I brush the front of the arms from the wrists to the elbows and then to the shoulder joints, focusing particularly on the armpits and elbows. Finally, I move to the neck and shoulders. For the neck, I use gentle pressure, brushing from behind the ears down to the base of the neck. The back of the neck is brushed with slightly more pressure. For the back, I scrub as far as the brush can reach.

Now, this might be a bit embarrassing, or something I wouldn't normally share, but what truly amazed me about this brushing is that small bumps (so-called age spots!?) that had appeared mainly on the upper body, from the neck down, have started to fall off, one by one. These bumps tend to form in areas where lymph flow seems poor, such as the sides of the neck, armpits, and under the bust. Since the bumps are small, one might think, “Oh well, it’s fine,” but they can be bothersome. Nowadays, cosmetic dermatology clinics can remove them one by one with lasers, but this is usually only practical for the neck. Asking them to remove all the bumps on the upper body feels too awkward and would likely be a tedious procedure that doctors might dislike. To have these bumps, which I had resigned myself to, gradually disappear with dry brushing is nothing short of a miracle. I highly recommend it to any adult woman who, like me, had given up on them.

Isn't Brushing Dry Skin Harmful?

In addition to this clarity and the effect on bumps, I've also noticed that my legs are less prone to swelling. This is likely proof that waste products are being eliminated and lymph flow has improved. Not only my legs but also my face feels less puffy, so I'm particularly diligent with this routine on nights when I've had drinks. Dry brushing is also said to benefit the digestive organs and kidney function, which is another welcome effect (though I haven't noticed this much yet).

To be honest, before I started this, I wondered, “What’s the deal with brushing your body?” In other words, I thought the stimulation would be bad for the skin. And brushing dry skin, no less… Yet, I was already massaging my entire body with a cleansing brush (introduced inJuly 2012 feature) and practicing a beauty method of patting the skin to infuse moisture (featured inJune 2010 feature). I was already giving my skin plenty of stimulation. And I was already experiencing the benefits of those methods. Moreover, this brushing technique has been practiced in Sweden and other countries for a long time. So, I thought, “Why not try it?” And it turned out to be a great decision.

My Full Bath Time Routine Revealed!

However, many beauty experts advise against stimulating the skin. When I hear that, I think, “That’s true!” but I belong to the camp that believes, “If the stimulation is good, isn't it okay?” Plants and trees grow more vigorously when their tips are trimmed—perhaps human skin is similar? (Is that a bad analogy?) In other words, perhaps a slightly Spartan approach is better stimulation for the skin than being overly protected. Of course, it goes without saying that one should not apply too much pressure or use a brush made of synthetic materials. Also, those with sensitive skin or inflammation should use very light pressure and be extremely gentle.

So, dry brushing before bathing has become one of my daily routines. Now, let me explain my entire bath time process. I start with dry brushing. Afterwards, if I want to sweat profusely, I apply the body cream introduced inthe March featureand then get in the bath. While soaking in the tub, I use a "gua sha" tool (introduced inthe December 2012 feature) to relieve tension in my legs and face. After the bath, I massage my body with oil or cream (the one mentioned above), and my head and ears with a cleansing brush. Each of these steps takes only about 1-2 minutes, so the entire routine takes about 5-6 minutes. The goal of all these practices is to relieve tension and improve blood and lymph circulation. Each has its own benefits and feels uniquely pleasant. I believe this sensation of “pleasantness” is a crucial element for beauty, health, and the mind, so all these steps are important to me.

My skin is polished, my swelling has subsided, and now all that's left is to get my body in shape for summer~♪. …Oh no, is it too late!?