ASCP Skin Deep

March | April 2014

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26 ASCP Skin Deep March/April 2014 An invigorating body treatment for instant results There are very few spa body treatments that can go seamlessly from the treatment room to home care. Dry brushing is one of them. Used in combination with other services, it can produce profound results in just one treatment. The service uses no product—just a brush—to stimulate skin circulation, smooth the epidermis, and polish away dead cells and rough skin. It is an invigorating treatment, rather than a relaxing one. Ancient Roots Many cultures have used some form of dry brushing as a body treatment. The Finnish use birch twigs, the Japanese use loofah sponges, the Native Americans use sand or dried corncobs, and the ancient Greeks used scraping tools called strigils. The common denominator across all cultures is that the brushing routine is a preliminary step to bathing; a dry brushing service would not be complete without a sauna, shower, or soak afterward. When you incorporate dry brushing into your service menu, you'll want to pair it with one of your wet treatments. Claims and Effects Dry brushing has been in and out of vogue within the spa industry several times. As with everything in esthetics, treatments that give a visible, proven result will last. This service does have one well-verified result—exfoliation—but many other claims have been made for what it can do. Often, practitioners just don't know how to incorporate the treatment or are using it for the wrong reasons, leading to unrealistic expectations. When used with exfoliation in mind, it's a worthy addition to your menu. Many proponents of dry brushing believe it increases circulation (especially right after a treatment) and stimulates the lymphatic system. Others go further, stating that the circulatory effects lead to a whole host of other benefits: detoxification, improving the digestive and immune systems, stimulating kidney function, removing cellulite, and more. BRUSH by Lynn Parentini Up!

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