What Is Dry Skin Brushing?

What Is Dry Skin Brushing?

Exfoliating the skin using a body brush is a method known as dry skin brushing. This ancient Ayurvedic medicine has been in use for centuries and offers many health benefits. Dry brushing removes dead skin and enhances the skin's ability to eliminate toxins through the pores.

To dry brush, you should use a body brush with firm, natural bristles and gently massage your body in upward, circular motions. Dry brushing increases radiance, eliminates dead skin, and boosts the effectiveness of moisturizers. Remember to keep both the brush and your skin dry while performing this activity.

When beginning dry brushing, it's best to start with light brushing and gradually increase the pressure as you get accustomed to it. Sensitive areas and areas with broken skin, such as those with rashes, wounds, cuts, and infections, should be avoided. Additionally, areas affected by poison oak, poison ivy, or psoriasis should never be brushed. Unless using a brush specifically designed for the face, dry brushing of the face should be avoided.

To perform dry skin brushing, use a long-handled natural bristle brush and brush your skin daily before showering or bathing. Begin at the soles of your feet and brush upwards towards your neck using either circular motions or long sweeping strokes, always brushing towards the heart. Brush gently for just 5 minutes every day to enhance the skin's appearance by eliminating old, dead skin cells and promoting the regeneration of new, healthy skin cells. Dry brushing also benefits the entire body.

Here are the steps to properly dry brush your skin:

1. Use a natural fiber brush with a long handle.
2. Start at your feet and move upwards.
3. Brush your skin in wide, circular, clockwise motions.
4. Apply light pressure to thin skin and harder pressure to thicker skin, such as the soles of your feet.
5. Brush your arms after brushing your feet, legs, and mid-section, brushing towards your armpits.
6. After dry brushing, take a cool shower to remove the dry skin.
7. Dry yourself after showering.

How Often to Dry Brush

You must decide how often to dry brush based on the sensitivity of your skin since it can leave your skin feeling a little raw. However, as a general rule, it is recommended to dry brush no more than one to two times per week. To eliminate dead skin buildup, you may need to wash your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month.

Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is one of the easiest and most powerful practices that aid and enhance detoxification through the skin. Many cultures have used dry skin brushing for centuries, making it a simple and effective healing practice to maintain radiant skin and overall body health. Dry brushing strengthens both the immune and nervous systems, cleanses the lymphatic system, stimulates blood circulation, aids digestion, tightens the skin, tones muscles, breaks down and reduces cellulite, and provides velvety soft, radiant skin. Dry brushing boosts circulation, aids lymphatic drainage, exfoliates dead skin, and plumps the skin. It speeds up the rate of blood pumping, which helps spread lymph throughout the body and eliminate toxins and pathogens more quickly.

Here are some specific benefits of dry brushing:

Dry brushing provides specific benefits such as stimulating the lymphatic system, opening up the pores and reducing congestion in the lymphatic system, and aiding in the release of toxins from the body through sweat. It also exfoliates the skin by brushing away dry, dead cells, leaving it smoother and softer.

Dry brushing increases blood circulation, which may lead to a boost in energy, and it may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite, similar to massage, although most doctors do not recognize it as a treatment, and there is no scientific data to support this theory.

Risks of Dry Brushing

When dry brushing or exfoliating, it's important to exercise caution to prevent irritation from overdoing it. Dry brushing can exacerbate skin issues for people with extra sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or other serious skin conditions, so it's best to avoid it altogether. Brushing too hard or too often can lead to irritated skin, and while some redness is normal, signs of skin abrasions should be avoided. To prevent introducing bacteria that could cause infection, avoid dry brushing over open wounds.

Dry brushing may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions, such as psoriasis, and it's recommended that you consult with your doctor before attempting dry brushing. Those with open or inflamed skin, including eczema and psoriasis, should avoid dry brushing over the inflamed area or any open wounds to prevent 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

After every use, rinse your brush and dry it in an open, sunny area to prevent mildew. To avoid the risk of infection, do not share your brush with anyone. Clean your brush with soap and water once a week.

Aftercare

After dry brushing, take a shower to rinse off all the dead skin cells. If planning to be outside, use sunscreen to protect your skin as dry brushing can increase sensitivity to the sun.

Conclusion

Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, exfoliates the skin, removes toxins, increases circulation and energy, and reduces cellulite. You can try it at home by purchasing a brush but consult your doctor before dry brushing if you have a skin condition like psoriasis. To prevent introducing bacteria and causing infection, avoid brushing over open wounds or infections.

The skin, which is responsible for 1/4 of our body's daily detoxification, 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 and beneficial addition to your beauty routine, but it's essential 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