Why do you need body polishing — and how to do it at home?

Body polishing is a common beauty treatment that many would-be brides go for. It involves removal of dead skin cells, body massage and skin moisturization, making it the perfect treatment to get soft and glowing skin. But you don’t have to wait for your D-day to get body polishing done. What’s more? You don’t have to go to a salon or a clinic for this exfoliation treatment. This full-body treatment can be done at home too. You just need to know the steps, skincare products or kitchen ingredients and someone to help you out with. But don’t overdo it, as it can irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.

What is body polishing?

Body polishing is a popular skin treatment that involves removal of dead skin cells with the help of different scrubs, and oils. “It gives smoother and softer skin along with a youthful glow,” says dermatologist Dr Nishtha Patel.

Here’s how it is done:

• Take a soft body brush, and gently brush your skin in circular motions to exfoliate your skin. Apply a body scrub on your damp skin. When you use a scrub, do it gently in small, circular motions for 30 seconds, according to the American Academy Of Dermatology Association.
• Apply a hydrating body mask, which can be made using kitchen ingredients like honey, yogurt, honey, and aloe vera gel. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes then rinse off the mask in the shower.
• Take a warm, but not hot shower to cleanse your body properly. While showering, use a mild, hydrating shower gel for your skin’s moisture balance. Close your pores by a splash of cool water then pat your skin dry.
• Apply a body oil like almond oil or coconut oil, and gently massage it into your skin to lock in moisture.

What are the benefits of body polishing?

Here are some of the benefits of body polishing:

1. Exfoliation

The main purpose of body polishing is to remove the dead skin cells and give it a smooth texture. “It is done by using an exfoliating scrub, which can be homemade too,” says the expert.

2. Aids in blood circulation

The treatment involves massaging in a circular manner. Body massage can offer benefits such as increase in blood flow, and reduced muscle tension, according to research published in Sports Medicine in 2005. Also, when the body gets massaged in a circular manner, the nutrients from the products get well absorbed due to enhanced blood circulation to the skin cells.

3. Blemish reduction

“Following the body polishing treatment, you will notice a significant reduction in the appearance of skin blemishes or acne scars,” says Dr Patel. The exfoliators used in this procedure fade away the discoloured area and make the skin look even and smooth.

4. Stress reduction

A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports found that 10 minutes of body massage can help in activating the body’s system to overcome stress. Body polishing is a relaxation technique, as it can help to give you a stress-free and relaxed experience. “The rhythmic and circular massaging technique helps to give a soothing and calming experience,” says the expert.

5. Skin moisturization

The exfoliation process is followed by hydration using DIY masks, shower gel and oil. “They get better absorbed into the skin once the dead skin cells get removed,” says the expert.

6. Removes tan

This is a great treatment option for those who have uneven skin tone or tanned skin. For instance, if you use yogurt in this treatment, it can combat hyperpigmentation due to the presence of lactic acid.

What are the side effects of body polishing?

Now that you know the benefits of body polishing, make sure you don’t overdo it. Do it just once or twice in a month to help in increasing the skin cell turnover, says the expert. If you tend to go overboard or exfoliate with a harsh hand, it can lead to some side effects.

• People who have sensitive skin should be cautious, as harsh scrubs may irritate the skin and cause redness and inflammation.
• Rashes or hives are unlikely, but may occur due to extreme allergic reactions to certain ingredients.
• If this procedure is performed frequently or moisturising products are not applied after exfoliation, skin can get dry or flaky and feel tight.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between body scrub and body polish?

Body polishing and body scrubbing involve skin exfoliation, but vary in their depth and focus. Body scrubbing is a much quicker process aimed at basic exfoliation for removing the dead skin cells. On the contrary, body polishing is more comprehensive and involves not just exfoliation of the skin, but moisturisation and skin massaging for giving a rejuvenating and stress-free experience.

2. Can you use body polish on your face?

Facial skin is way more delicate, so it is not included in body polishing. For face, you can use gentle chemical exfoliators for removing the dead skin cells such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

3. Is body polishing good for sensitive skin?

People who have sensitive skin can go for body polishing for dead skin removal and more, but be cautious of the exfoliating ingredients. They should be natural and not harsh on skin. Also, the massage should be gentle and not aggressive, in order to avoid skin irritation. Go for a patch test before selecting the exfoliating ingredient for sensitive skin.