Dry brushing is the practice of using a dry stiff-bristled brush on the entire body to remove dead skin, increase circulation, and improve digestion. It’s quite an old practice as it can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, Chinese, and Native Americans. Some of the earlier dry brushes were constructed out of dried vegetable fibers, corn cobs, loofahs, and hard scrapers.
The skin is made up of blood vessels, pores, sweat glands, and nerve endings. The skin can easily become clogged and natural functions slowed down due to improper hygiene, poor diet, bad circulation, and nutrient deficiencies. Dry brushing is beneficial as it stimulates circulation, increases blood flow, unclogs pores, and supports healthy cell function. Since about one-third of toxins exit the body through the skin it is important to keep pores open and maintain healthy circulation. For exactly these reasons everyone should be incorporating dry brushing into their regular beauty routine.
There is a great range of benefits to dry brushing including:
-
- Improved digestion
- Increased circulation
- Better lymphatic drainage
- Detoxifies the system
- Reduces dry skin
- Exfoliates the skin
- Unclogs pores
- Softens skin
Dry brushing also strengthens the immune system by directly impacting the lymphatic system. As you dry brush you are actually encouraging the lymphatic system to flush out toxins, clear infections and filter harmful cells. This is the main reason you want to brush in strokes that go with the natural lymphatic flow.
Choosing a Brush
Choose a brush that is stiff but not overly abrasive for your skin type. If you are more sensitive then choose one that is on the softer side. You can also dry brush your face and you will, of course, want a softer brush for this area as well.
The bristles need to be natural and not synthetic. Look for ones made from cactus, agave plants, Japanese palm or bamboo. Synthetic plastic brushes can be overly stiff and damage the skin.
A long handle is more convenient as it will allow you to reach all areas of your back and any other hard-to-get areas. Some brushes have detachable handles which are more versatile and convenient.
Technique
There is a correct way to dry brush as you want to work with the lymphatic system to enhance drainage, detoxification, and blood flow. Always work from the feet moving up in long upward sweeping movements. Below is a diagram of exactly how to dry brush.
Go over each area 2-3 times before moving to the next section. You want to be sure to only use gentle sweeping motions as dry brushing should never be painful or uncomfortable. It’s a very satisfying form of self-care and self-love so relax and really enjoy the attention you are giving to yourself and your body.
Warning: Never dry brush on irritated skin. This includes sunburns, wounds, bruises, cuts, infections or rashes.
How to Get the Best Results
The easiest way to dry brush is in the shower and preferably first thing in the morning. Get in the shower as if you are about to bathe. Keep the water off for the moment and start dry brushing working your way from the feet up using upward motions. Once you are finished turn on the water and shower as usual. When finished, apply a moisturizer or oil to slightly damp skin to hydrate and seal in moisture. Doing it in this order ensures that your skin is completely dry when brushing and that all the dead cells are properly rinsed off your body afterward.
For best results dry brush 2-3 times a week especially if you are just starting out. People with sensitive skin should start off once every week or two so the skin does not become overwhelmed. This will allow your skin time to adjust and get used to dry brushing. Plus, it is a form of exfoliation and you really only need to do that a couple of times a week max. Applying too much pressure or dry brushing for too long can irritate the skin and cause redness. Only apply gentle pressure and use light strokes. Additionally, it should really only take about 10 minutes to complete a full-body dry brush.
