Get Your Glow On!

So you have been working hard on your body. You are losing excess fat and shaping those muscles, but have you given any thought to your skin? Glowing skin turns heads. After all, is often the first thing people notice when they look at you. Here are some interesting facts about your skin and one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to keep it looking its best.  So what are you waiting for? Read on ...

Skin is the human body's largest organ.
The thinnest skin is on your eyelids and the thickest is on your feet.
Skin accounts for about 15% of your bodyweight.
The average skin when stretched is over 2 meters.
Every 28 days your skin renews itself. 
Every minute your skin sheds over 30,000 skin cells.
Over 50% of the dust in your house is actually dead skin cells.

The best way to increase the shedding of dead skin cells and improve overall skin health is simply dry body brushing. No expensive equipment required. The only item you need is a good body brush which costs around $10 -$20.

The benefits of dry skin brushing include:

• Increasing the circulation to the skin has been shown to reduce the appearance of cellulite. So, rather than take drastic measures like liposuction, how about utilizing the dry skin brushing techniques.
• Dry body brushing helps shed dead skin cells and encourages new cell renewal which results in smoother and brighter skin. It can also help with any pesky ingrown hairs.
• It assists in improving vascular blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. It encourages the body’s discharge of metabolic wastes so the body is able to run more effectively.
• Dry skin brushing rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin (and it feels pretty great, too!).
• It helps with muscle tone and gives you a more even distribution of fat deposits.
• Dry skin brushing helps your skin to absorb nutrients by eliminating clogged pores. 

Good news – you don’t have to book a pricey spa treatment to reap the benefits. This one can be done in your very own bathroom. All you need to do is purchase a natural bristle brush, not one made from nylon or synthetic materials.  One with a long handle is also a plus, as it means you can reach all areas of the body. 

The directions are pretty simple:

• Start on dry skin before bathing. 
• Work in gentle circular, upward motions, then longer, smoother strokes. 
• Always begin at the ankles in upwards movements towards the heart - the lymphatic fluid flows through the body towards the heart, so it's important that you brush in the same direction.
• Your back is the only exception to the preceding rule. Brush from the neck down to the lower back.  
• After you've finished with the ankles, move up to the lower legs, thighs, stomach, back and arms. Be cautious of softer and sensitive skin around the chest and breasts, and never brush over inflamed skin, sores, sun-burned skin, or skin cancer.
• Ensure you shower after brushing to wash away the dead skin cells and impurities. 
• Tip: alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold will further invigorate the skin, stimulate blood circulation and bring more blood to the outer layers of the skin.  
• Then follow it up with a slick moisturizer to nourish the skin.

Give it a go for 30 consecutive days and your body will love you for it!​

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