DRY BRUSHING

Whenever you hear the dreaded expression “water retention”, meaning the body's tendency to retain excess fluids in the tissues, you are led to believe that the only possible treatments are lotions, creams or diet. Water retention, in fact, affects the areas of our body most prone to the accumulation of fat, such as the thighs and buttocks, causing swelling and stagnation of liquids and toxins. The visible display of this process leads to the loathsome appearance of “cellulite” and we know that creams, treatments and beauticians are required to provide a comprehensive and, at the same time, effective solution.

But there is also a technique, which seems to be very ancient (it is said that Cleopatra also practised it) known as “dry brushing”: this type of intervention may at first be met with scepticism, but if performed regularly, it can prove to be a valid help. As the name suggests, it involves brushingnot only the body but, with the right tool, the face as well. Constant brushing, in fact, smooths the skin, reduces cellulite and tones the most problematic areas. If repeated three times a week, you will soon notice that your skin is more toned and smoother because you stimulate the circulation and lymphatic drainage. What makes the difference is massaging dry skin with a brush immediately before having a bath or a shower. In short, dry brushing lifts dead cells from the skin and softens up “hard” areas, accelerates cell renewal of the skin and encourages lymphatic drainage, helping the body to eliminate waste products and toxins.

We recommend performing dry brushing in the morning before you do anything else, as its revitalising action stimulates blood circulation, as well as brushing the same area several times, because a single pass is not enough. Finally, avoid dry brushing if you have skin problems or lesions.

How should you brush yourself? First of all, you need to get hold of one or more brushes with natural bristles, even better if made of beech and with a long or removable handle, so that you can reach any part of the body. For indications on the movements to perform, follow the instructions given below.

- Start with the soles of the feet and make wide and deep movements up to the knees

- On thighs, hips and buttocks, brush hard in an anti-clockwise direction

- Continue upwards from the stomach to the chest, making slight circular movements in a clockwise direction

- On the lower back, brush the skin with wide upward strokes and, vice versa, with small downward strokes in the shoulder area.

- Lastly, rub the skin with wide upward movements from the hand to the elbow and then, from the elbow to the shoulder