Bodecare has the largest range of pure plant bristle dry body brushes. Its reputation for traditionally crafted workmanship and outstanding quality has lead to its popularity in 5 star Day Spa’s In Austrlaia and throughout the World.

Dry body brushing has been used for years because the health benefits are so extensive.  It can improve venous blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, aid in the release of toxins, exfoliate dead skin, reduce ingrown hairs and assist in reducing the effects of many skin conditions like Psoriasis, Keratosis Pilaris, Eczema and other dry skin conditions.  Bodecare clients have used the dry brushing technique successfully for the relief of arthritis, increase circulation of scalp,  improve poor circulation, reduce stress,  remove bumpy skin from backs of leg and buttocks to achieve soft sexy skin on legs for the first time in years.  (see testimonials and the Bodecare Community Page )

Jodie Smith, founder of Bodecare (pronounced ‘body-care’) states, ‘the energizing benefits of skin brushing can be felt days after starting the process and could also tighten the skin and reduce cellulite in many cases, particularly if complemented with regular exercise, a health diet and drinking plenty of water.”

Bodecare Dry Body Brushing System has been developed to aid the body’s lymphatic drainage and for that reason all brush strokes are toward the major lymph nodes in the body (see diagram in Dry Brushing Booklet available with every body brush purchase).

Before Dry Body Brushing please take note of the following precautions:

1. Never Skin Brush over active inflammation  e.g. open wounds, inflamed sores, varicose veins, sunburnt skin.
2. Never skin brush during an active cancer state or enlarged lymph nodes.
3. Avoid breasts & genitalia area.
4. If pregnant seek doctors advice first before skin brushing.
5. If an allergic reaction appears stop brushing.  Tell your naturopath what happened after you body brushed, it could be your body detoxing, but it is best to ask a naturopathic professional. 
6. Dry brushing does exfoliate skin, therefore regular washing of brush is essential to remove dead skin from the bristles.
7. A slight reddening of the skin (erythema) is normal, it is the blood circulation responding to the skin brushing.

General Rules of Dry Skin Brushing

1. Always use a plant bristle skin brush.  Plant bristles can be soft, medium and firm, choose a plant bristle that matches your requirements e.g if you need it for circulation, exfoliation, moving cellulite.  
2. Perform on Dry Skin only. This will provide the best stimulation and exfoliation. When plant bristles are wet, they go soft and clump together so you won’t get the results you are after.
3. Generally stroke upward in one movement.
4. Light strokes repeated 7 times.
5. Adjust pressure to your comfort levels.
6. Best to follow brushing with some form of hydrotherapy i.e. shower or bath
7. Work from left to right side of body.

You receive the body brushing booklet with every purchase of a Bodecare brush, which includes photos showing a diagram with brush stroke direction, toward the lymphatic nodes.   

Steps of Dry Body Brushing

Feet

When brushing feet it is recommended to use a firmer bristle, start on left side. (refer to the “Firm” bristle brush in the Bodecare brush range)

1. Start at soles of feet, brush in-between toes and then stroke brush from toes to heel 7 times.  At any time you feel very sensitive you can follow each brush stroke with a soothing sweep of the other hand. 
2. Continue on top of foot brushing in-between toes and then brush in one stroke from toes to ankles and ending at Achilles tendon behind ankle. Cover both sides of foot working from left to right.

Leg

When brushing legs and buttock, it is recommended to use a medium to firm body brush that moves circulation and cellulite build up. Unless you have mature skin that easily breaks, a child or have a dry skin condition, then you are best to stay with a soft body brush until your skin  builds up strength before advancing to a medium/firm body brush.

 Continue upward brush strokes up the leg, divide the leg into four sections, Front; Inside; Back; Outside.

 Lower Leg

One sweeping brush stoke up, moving from ankle to calf(back) under the Knee, brushing 7 strokes per area. Then from ankle to inside calf, ankle to shin (front), ankle to outside shin up to Knee.  Brush across Knee twice from left to right and back again.  This will help drain any fluid build up in the Knee joint.

Upper Leg

Keep brushing from knee up the outside quadricep, then from knee up quadricep (front), from Knee up inside quadriceps right up to the groin at a major lymph node. Before brushing back of leg, ensure to brush back of Knee there are a lot of lymphatic points there and it is really good for the circulation of your legs.  Last part of leg is to brush from back of Knee up to hamstrings just under the buttock.

 Now you have covered the entire left leg, you are ready to brush your left  buttock area.

Buttock and Back

1. Move to buttocks, starting at top of buttock, brush down to the gluteal fold (where buttock joins the leg) and sweep back again to top.
2. Then from base of buttock sweep upward to outside of hip.
3. Once reaching the lower back, start your brush stroke from lower spine and sweep brush stroke up and out to side of torso
4. Then from lower spine all the way up to the shoulder blades
5. Then from middle of spine brush across shoulder blades toward armpits to a major lymph node and finishing from spine to over the shoulder.

Repeat on right side

Abdominal

1. Lower abdominal: Starting left side, hold brush at navel and brush stroke downward toward the lymph groin area, and then from navel outward to hip joint. Repeat on right side.
2. Upper abdominal: Starting on left side, hold brush at navel and brush stroke outward to waist and then from navel upward to armpit and lastly from navel up under the breast line.  Repeat this on right side.
3. Complete abdominal area with the concentric circular brush stroke.  Starting at navel move in small circular clockwise strokes, not leaving the skin, gradually increase the circular strokes until reaching the outer abdomen.  Then work in anti-clockwise brush strokes from large to small until back at the navel.

Hand and Arm

1. Starting on left side brush between fingertips, palm of hands and wrist, brushing back and forth on both sides of hands.
2. Brushing on top of hand start from fingers up the arm in one sweeping stroke. From wrist to elbow cover the entire surface of the arm dividing it into four sides like the leg.  Brush over the elbow a few times before moving up the arm toward the shoulders. Once brushing the entire arm finish off brushing the armpit.   The armpit is the location of one of the major lymph nodes of the body, so it is important to stimulate this area to assist in the elimination of toxins from the body.  It is also important to keep the pores of the armpit open and healthy to assist the body with expelling sweat. Place the body brush on the armpit area, use small circular clockwise movement, without leaving the skin.

Repeat on Right Side

Décolletage and Neck

When brushing décolletage, neck and face it is recommended to use a soft plant bristle brush for this area, due to the sensitivity of most skin around this region.  Bodecare has developed a specifically designed plant bristle brush especially for this area called the Jute Dry Face Brush.  Do not use a normal body brush for this area it is too abrasive for the skin.

1. Starting on left side hold brush just above the breast line and brush upward to collarbone. Working from mid to outer décolletage. Once again seven brush strokes per area. Repeat this on the right side. 
2. From left side, at base of neck brush behind the ear, very lightly up to the jaw line and curve down to the collarbone, the point at which the head and neck drain into the lymph nodes. Repeat on right side.

Face

1. Small circular brush strokes, ending the stroke going down (toward the lymph nodes).  Starting circular strokes at chin and then above lips.  To really drain any sinuses or congestion around the eye area, start at side of nose brushing up to eye-brow bone around eye and back to nose.  Brush forehead and temples to relieve stress and head pain. Continue the circular strokes down side of face and just under the chin from left to right.

Because dry face brushing exfoliates really well, it is recommended to dry brush face about twice a week and use a Hydration Mask or Facial oil 1-2 week to keep the hydration balance in the skin.  Your skin will be looking amazing if you keep this beauty rituale, as well as using a good quality organic facial cream daily.  Over exfoliating the skin on your face without replacing it with good moisturisers and hydration masks can leave the skin very dry and can cause break outs.

Scalp

1. Switch to a hairbrush with wood pins. Flip head over and place brush behind left ear and brush upward to temple.  Then place brush at base of neck and brush upward to top of head, covering the entire head working from left to right.  Finish with brush behind right ear and brush upward to temple.  Stand upright and place brush behind top of left ear and brush down to side of neck, then place brush in front of left ear and brush down to back of neck, working around the front hair line from left to right, ending with brush behind right ear and brush down to side of neck. 

What to Expect

In completion to the dry body brush a slight reddening of the skin (erythema) is normal, it is the blood circulation responding to the skin brushing.  You should be feeling very invigorated and relaxed by now.  When you first start it may take you a bit of time to complete, but once you get the hang of it you will only need to spend a couple of minutes each morning.  If you are short on time brush the area of most concern to you, this will ensure all your hard work won’t go to waste.

Personally I don’t body brush my legs the day after I shave, because my skin is already quite exfoliated from the shave so I wait a day or so before I start again.  If you forget a couple of days to body brush don’t worry just start again the next day.

If you are travelling we have a some great travelling brushes for you to take with you.

Brush Care

As so much dead skin cells sloughs off while dry brushing and works its way into the brush bristles, it’s important to clean your dry skin brush regularly. After each body brush spritz the bristles with a Organic Tea Tree spray  , to kill any bacteria in the bristles and reduce any risk of spreading bacteria onto your skin next time your brush.

Once a week wash the bristles in hot soapy water with a Tea Tree Oil Soap and leave in the sun to dry or well ventilated area, with bristles facing down.  With regards to the Jute Dry Face brush, it is best to hang this brush to dry.

Do not leave hanging in the shower, the bristles will mildew. Bristles need to be completely dry before using the brush again.

“We hope you can make dry body brushing a part of your daily routine and thank you for taking the time to contribute to your health!”

References:

• Dr Bruce Berkowsky: The Journal of Nature-cure: west/east fusion, Vital Chi Skin-brushing System. Vol.4 No.1.
• Gunther Wittlinger: Textbook of Dr.Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage. 7^th Edition 2004.
• Diagram: Tappan F 1988, “Healing Massage Techniques: Holistic, Classic and Emerging Methods” 2^nd Edition Publisher: Appleton & Lange: Norwalk Pg 295-296