Brush your body...

liver411

Thu Dec 6 10:51:00 PST 2001

Itching often happens to liver diseased persons,



Will dry body brushing help get rid of the cellulite on my thighs?



Jennifer Kelly

Austin, Texas

  

It depends on who you ask. Spa therapists claim that body brushing, in which spa staffers scrub dry skin with a stiff-bristled brush, will make your skin look younger and help eliminate cellulite. However, most dermatologists say that while body brushing is a great way to exfoliate, only diet and exercise can have a long-term impact on reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Still, body brushing does provide some perks. This technique "can temporarily plump up tissue and make it look and feel fresh and healthy," notes Audrey Kunin, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist. Body-brushing enthusiasts claim this rigorous rubbing sloughs off dead skin cells and exposes younger, shinier-looking skin. While spa-style body brushing might be a great way to pamper yourself, Kunin does warn that overzealous exfoliating can damage the skin, leaving it raw and more vulnerable to sun damage. If body brushing sounds like your idea of pampering, go for it -- just don't expect miracles.