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L-W-O Community

For those living with Primary, Secondary & Paediatric Lymphoedema Online & in the Community

Skin Care

Skin Care 

Dry Skin Brushing

Winter Skin

Foot Care

Dry Skin Brushing

Body brushing will help get rid of dead skin cells and help your skin from drying out, leaving the skin feeling silky soft.  Furthermore, body brushing helps to eliminate toxins and helps with cell regeneration.  It gives a big boost to your lymphatic system by moving lymphatic flow.  Body brushing stimulates the blood flow and circulation as well as sweat and sebaceous glands.  I use body brushing as part of my simple lymphatic drainage (SLD) routine, this part of my SLD I do approximately three times a week.  Sometimes it makes me want to urinate more but that simply means I am getting rid of excess fluid, so I don't have a problem with that side effect.

​Body brushing;

  • restores radiance to the skin
  • stimulates circulation
  • eliminates toxins
  • ​rejuvenates the nervous system
  • boosts skin elasticity
  • ​removes dead skin

Tips

  • always brush towards the heart
  • use long, upward overlapping strokes
  • avoid skin that is broken or wounded
  • it is normal for skin to turn slightly pink
  • best time to brush is in the morning before a shower
  • clean your brush approximately every two weeks
  • clean brush with hot soapy water and I usually add tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties
  • Dry your brush in natural sunlight or if drying indoors I lie my brush face down on a clean towel

Where to buy?

You can buy your brush at pharmacies, supermarkets and I bought mine at a garden centre.  Look for a natural bristle brush, I have a brush that has a long handle to reach the parts of the body that are difficult to reach.  I can separate the head and handle to use on its own and the handy strap means I can slip in my hand that, allows me to hold the head of the brush firmly.

Once showered make sure you moisturise your skin


Information first published May 2014 as part of our Skin-Care page Read more...

Page last updated 06/01/2020