Dry Brush Your Dry Winter Skin AWAY!

So a patient shared this with me last week:

“Do you know the leading cause of dry skin?” 
“A Towel” 

LOL

Now on a more serious note, many of us struggle with dry skin and in Kentucky this worsens in the winter when the humidity in the air is lower.  Dry skin can be uncomfortable and a nuisance.  However, if left untreated, dry skin can progress to dermatitis which is inflamed, itchy skin.

The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, has at the surface a layer of dead skin cells called the stratum corneum. These dead skin cells have an important function to maintain a tight skin barrier to keep hydration in and infection out.  However, to function appropriately they need to continually exfoliate off allowing the healthy stratum corneum below to maintain the barrier.  When this exfoliation slows with dry skin, the buildup disrupts our protection but it also inhibits absorption of moisturizers applied to the skin from effectively being absorbed.

One of the easiest things we can do for this as a preventative measure is to dry brush the skin.  Dry brushing the skin, especially prior to showering, loosens and removes the dysfunctional stratum corneum. Following this with a shower allows the rest of these cells and scale to be removed.  After the shower it is important to towel dry and apply a quality moisturizer or lotion full body to restore that skin barrier and hydration.

Dry brushing is a simple and easy step in self-care.  Using an appropriate dry brush with effective yet soft bristles full body brushing toward the heart is best.  Start at the feet and hands and use long strokes toward the heart.  The skin will have a slight tingle to it as the dead skin cells are being removed.

Additional benefits from dry brushing include: 

Enhanced Lymphatic Function allowing stimulation of lymph flow just below the surface of the skin.
Removal of pollution and dirt from our pores and hair follicles.
Improves or stimulates circulation.

Contact us at The SkinCare Corner or on our website at wellspringsderm.com to get your Dry Brush and effective body moisturizer today.