After a Cesarean birth, you are going to have a scar, it is after all surgery that cuts through six layers, which cuts superficial nerves and disrupts the lymphatic flow. Many people feel afraid to touch their incision and some want to ignore that it is there altogether. In part this is from a lack of information. The truth is there are many things you can do to ensure a speedy c-section recovery, minimize complications and create a small smooth c-section scar.
One of them is dry skin brushing. Dry skin brushing is an ancient techniques used to decrease infection, remove dead skin, increase circulation and eliminate ingrown hairs in an incision as it heals. Here are seven ways that you can benefit from doing dry skin brushing as part of your c section recovery.
1: Dry skin brushing moves the lymph, which lies in the deep skin layer. Lymph is a major part of our immune system and contains white blood cells called lymphocytes and the interstitial fluid that bathe our cells, bringing our cells nutrients and removing their waste. Our bodies contain more lymph than blood, which demonstrates how important lymph is. Dry skin brushing moves the lymph containing large proteins and particulate matter that cannot be transported in any other way back into circulatory system. When these proteins are not removed, they attract other fluid, leading to swelling. This is called lymphedema.
2: Dry skin brushing helps reduce ingrown hairs on or around the incision. Ingrown hairs can create more scarring and unsightly blemishes. Consistent skin brushing will reduce and eliminate the ingrown hairs. Many people’s scars feel numb. These numb feelings can also helped by dry skin brushing through increasing the proprioceptive response. ( pro·pri·o·cep·tor – A sensory receptor, found chiefly in muscles, tendons, joints, and the inner ear, that detects the motion or position of the body or a limb by responding to stimuli arising within the organism.)
3: Dry brushing stimulates the skins oil glands, helping the skin stay healthy and perform one of it’s main functions. The skin is your body’s largest organ. When improperly maintained, the elimination duties of the skin are forced upon the kidneys.
4: Dry Brushing tightens the skin by increasing the flow of blood which, in turn moves toxins and accelerates healing. Our bodies make a new top layer of skin every 24 hours – skin brushing removes the old top layer, allowing the clean new layer to come to the surface, resulting in softer, smoother skin and therefore a softer smoother scar. Dry skin brushing flakes off the outer layer of skin, which has been tested and found to contain uric acid, which is highly toxic.
5: Dry Brushing tones the muscles. Dry skin brushing helps muscle tone by stimulating the nerve endings which causes the individual muscle fibers to activate and move. Obviously this is of great benefit to the recovery muscles of your abdomen.
6: Dry brushing stimulates circulation. Did you know your skin breathes? And yet, in most people, this vital route of detoxification is operating far below its capacity, because it is clogged with dead skin cells and the un-removed waste excreted through perspiration. Dry skin brushing increases circulation to skin, encouraging your body’s discharge of metabolic wastes. Increased blood flow begins entering the areas brushed.
7: Dry brushing improves the function of the nervous system–Dry skin brushing rejuvenates the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin. Because of all these benefits we include a dry skin brush with both our C Section Recovery Kit and our Deluxe C section Recovery Kit . Remember to follow our guide, and only skin brush on the incision line after the 2nd or 3rd month post surgery. It feels great, and remember – Brush when you are DRY.
Thank you for all the information. Your site has helped me a great deal. I also love your c-section belt I still wear it after my second month. Thanks again!
I wish I had a kit after my cesarean birth. My midwife gave me the brush last month and I love it.
Thank you for contacting us, and we are happy that dry skin brushing feels good and is helping.
All the best
I just came across this sight and enjoyed the forum, I would love a kit as I will be delivering my 2nd baby via c-section in less than three months.
Thank you please contact us when you need any assistance, and enjoy your pregnancy!
stumbled upon this while looking for ways to recover from my c section. It sounds like a great idea! please send me a guide, im a new mom any help would be fantastic.
You should have received a link to the free guide, also you may check out our blog which has lots of good information on c-section recovery….or email a specific question to me
[email protected]
Bind and massage- change your pads 3x a day to reduce infection……