Forget Body Brushing - Why You Need To Try Body Combing...

If you're a keen beauty enthusiast it's likely that you've heard about body brushing - but have you experienced body combing?!

The Beauty Restorer Comb is not only designed for your scalp and your hair, but is also perfect as an alternative to the Body Restorer to supercharge your body brushing routine.

Body combing is an ancient Chinese self-healing treatment, an extension of gua sha that works a bit more deeply, providing a more intensive massage into the meridians. It’s a good alternative if you prefer not to bring up sha (redness).

In China, meridian combs are used on the body by healthcare practitioners and spa therapists alike. Chinese medicine believes that disease and health issues start at an energetic level, with a disruption of energy flow around the body. This stagnation can be caused by both physical, or emotional, upset. This comb works to unblock energy channels which releases stagnation. More importantly, it leaves you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.

Body combing works in a similar fashion to body brushing. It boosts lymphatic drainage, making it particularly effective for weight loss, water retention and cellulite.

The 12 major meridian channels all start at the head. Along the meridians are places where qi is more accessible; these are where acupuncture needles are inserted or acupressure points stimulated. Combing gently stimulates the meridian channels. The head is a bit different because there are many acupoints. So, even doing it very gently will help. You don’t usually do combing on children’s heads because it’s so stimulating – the head is much more sensitive. 

Just as this jade comb is used on the head to draw circulation to the skin and clear the meridians, extending the ritual to the body will:

- clear areas of stagnation

- boost circulation

- support lymphatic drainage

- smooth the appearance of skin

- encourage a smooth flow of blood and qi around the body.

- release tension

- reduce cortisol

- support immunity

- nourish skin

Regular practice will reveal beautiful, decongested, nourished skin all over your body: smooth upper arms, a supple and hydrated décolletage, and a reduction in keratosis pilaris, or chicken skin as its more commonly known.

In Chinese medicine, stimulating the skin with body combing strengthens Wei Qi, the defensive qi of the body. This supports immunity, reinforces your skins texture and helps keep the muscles warm and strong.

The skin is our largest sensory organ. Body combing reduces cortisol and lowering stress levels has a positive effect on the skin from the inside out.

Body combing, particularly around the abdomen, stimulates the qi, which supports the digestive system and rebalances the internal organs. There is a meridian here called the ‘Dai meridian’. According to Chinese medicine, fat accumulation in these areas is often due to the blockages in this channel.

Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin. In Chinese medicine, cellulite is connected to water metabolism. When our Qi is stagnant, proper fluid management is impeded, which causes cellulite.

Because the Beauty Restorer Comb is made from jade, you can use it for as long as you like for an all over self-massage treatment. Use brisk strokes in the morning to wake up and invigorate and then slow, long strokes in the evening, to soothe and calm. In Chinese wisdom, gua sha or body brushing before bed helps to dispel excess energy, which helps you to sleep better.

Directions:

Technique isn’t too important here, it’s that you do it that counts. It’s a holistic treatment, but this is a good suggestion if you’d like some direction. Unlike body brushing, body combing is most effective if you work with the meridian channels, which is why the suggested direction is different from Western body brushing.

Always use a lubricant, either oil or water in the shower. If you are in the shower, use warm water.

1. Start with the chest area. Stroke outwards on either side, from the middle of your breastbone.

2. Next focus down the back of each upper arm.

3. Move on to your abdomen. Stroke downwards first, from under the breast all the way down to your hip line. Then, start at each side of your ribcage and sweep inwards and down.

4. Sweep right over each of the buttocks, from the top of your pant line to the upper thigh.

5.  Finally, work down the back and front of the legs and up the inside of the thighs.

You can focus extra attention on any areas of concern or wobbly bits!

It’s good to dry yourself quickly to keep warm afterwards and have a glass of warm water. Because you’ve opened the pores, you will be more vulnerable to external pathogens such as cold and wind afterwards, according to Chinese medicine. So warm water helps to keep your system warm.

We recommend using the Beauty Restorer Comb daily for best results.