Dry Skin Brushing

What Is Dry Skin Brushing?

Dry skin brushing is an exfoliation method that involves using a body brush to gently massage the skin. This ancient Ayurvedic medicine has many health benefits and has been around for centuries. Dry brushing works by removing dead skin and improving the skin's ability to eliminate toxins through the pores.

To dry brush, you need a body brush with firm, natural bristles. Gently massage your body in upward, circular motions. It helps with radiance, removes dead skin, and increases the effectiveness of your moisturizer. Remember to keep both the brush and your skin dry while doing it.

How to Practice Dry Brushing

When you first start dry brushing, it is best to begin with light brushing. As you get used to it, you can increase the pressure. You should avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken, such as areas with rashes, wounds, cuts, and infections. Additionally, never brush an area affected by poison oak, poison ivy, or psoriasis. Lastly, you should not dry brush your face unless you are using a softer brush made for that purpose.

To perform dry skin brushing, you should do it daily before your shower or bath. Use a long-handled natural bristle brush and start by brushing upwards from the soles of your feet up to your neck. You can use either long sweeping strokes or circular motions, always brushing towards your heart. Gently brush the skin for just 5 minutes daily with a natural bristle brush. This not only enhances the appearance of the skin by sloughing off old, dead skin cells and helping new, healthy skin cells to regenerate, but it also heals the whole entire body as an incredible

Here are the steps on how to properly dry brush your skin:

1. Use a natural fiber brush with a long handle.

2. Start at your feet and move up your body.

3. Brush your skin using wide, circular, clockwise motions.

4. Apply light pressure in areas where your skin is thin and apply harder pressure on thicker skin, like the soles of your feet.

5. Brush your arms after you have brushed your feet, legs, and mid-section. You should brush upward towards your armpits.

6. After dry brushing, take a cool shower to help remove the dry skin.

7. After your shower, dry.

How Often to Dry Brush

Since dry brushing can leave your skin feeling a little raw, you have to decide how often to do it based on the strength of your skin. As a general rule of thumb, though, people recommend that you dry brush no more than one to two times per week. You may need to wash your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month to get rid of all the dead skin buildup.

Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dry brushing aids and enhances detoxification through the skin, making it one of the easiest and most powerful practices. Many cultures have practiced dry skin brushing for centuries, and it is a simple yet effective healing practice to keep your skin radiant and your entire body healthy. Dry brushing strengthens both the immune and nervous systems, cleanses the lymphatic system, stimulates blood circulation, aids in digestion, tightens the skin, tones the muscles, breaks down and reduces cellulite, and gives you velvety soft, radiant skin. Dry brushing boosts circulation, aids with lymphatic drainage, exfoliates dead skin, and plumps the skin. Dry brushing speeds up the rate of blood pumping, helping spread lymph through the body and removing toxins and pathogens more quickly.

Here are some specific benefits of dry brushing:

Stimulates the Lymphatic System: The coarse bristles on the brush open up the pores, allowing the body to release toxins through sweat and reducing congestion in the lymphatic system.

Exfoliates the Skin: Dry brushing can brush away dry, dead cells from the skin, leaving it smoother and softer.

Removes Toxins: Dry brushing stimulates the pores and encourages sweating, aiding in the elimination of toxins from the body.

Increases Circulation and Energy: Dry brushing may help increase blood circulation, leading to a boost in energy.

Reduces Cellulite: Dry brushing, similar to massage, may reduce the appearance of cellulite, although there's no scientific data to support this theory and it's not a recognized treatment by most doctors.

Risks of Dry Brushing

Practice caution when dry brushing and exfoliating in general to avoid irritation from overdoing it. Dry brushing can exacerbate skin issues for those with extra sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or other serious skin conditions, so it's best to avoid it. Brushing too hard or too often can lead to irritated skin, and while some redness is normal, expect to avoid skin abrasions and look out for signs of these. Avoid dry brushing over open wounds to prevent introducing bacteria that could cause infection.

Here are some specific risks of dry brushing:

Sensitivity: Dry brushing may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions, such as psoriasis, so speak with your doctor before dry brushing.

Inflamed Skin: Those with open or inflamed skin, including eczema and psoriasis, should not dry brush over the inflamed area or any open wounds to avoid introducing bacteria and causing infection.

Supplies Needed for Dry Brushing

You need a brush with natural fiber bristles and a long handle to reach every part of your body. Consider dry brushing in the shower to make cleaning up easier.

Brush Maintenance

Rinse your brush after every use and dry it in an open, sunny area to prevent mildew. To prevent the risk of infection, avoid sharing your brush with anyone. Clean your brush once a week with soap and water.

Aftercare

After dry brushing, take a shower to rinse off all the dead skin cells. If you plan to be outside, use sunscreen to protect your skin as dry brushing can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Conclusion

Dry brushing can stimulate the lymphatic system, exfoliate the skin, remove toxins, increase circulation and energy, and reduce cellulite. If you're interested in dry brushing, you can try it at home by purchasing a brush. Before dry brushing, consult your doctor if you have a skin condition like psoriasis and avoid brushing over open wounds or infections.

The skin, our largest organ of elimination, is responsible for 1/4 of our body's detoxification daily. Healthy skin eliminates around 2 lbs. of waste products each day. However, if the pores are clogged with dead skin cells, toxins and impurities remain in the body.

Dry brushing is a simple addition to your beauty routine that offers multiple benefits to your skin. Remember not to overdo it and be cautious

Sources:
1. The Benefits and Risks of Dry Brushing
2. How to Dry Brush Your Skin—and Why It’s So Potent
3. Dry Brushing May Be the Key to Glowing, Healthy Skin—Learn All About It