Dry brushing is something that is becoming more and more popular.... in fact recently I saw an article in Vogue talking about its benefits. But did you know Dry Brushing is a traditional Ayurvedic practice and has been around for aeons.
The benefits of dry brushing are widely known and in fact, many people include it as part of their daily routine. And you should too! It only takes a few minutes a day and is best performed at the start of the day (prior to showering).
So what is dry brushing and why do it?
Dry brushing is a practice that is done with a dry brush (natural bristles) or linen/silk gloves. It stimulates the skin and promotes the removal of cellular waste.
It is a technique that assists us on many levels. When we consider the skin, (the body’s largest organ), it contains nerves, cells and glands that act as a barrier to protect the body.
If your skin is overrun with dead cells, its ability to eliminate waste is compromised, so removing these cells will improve the way your skin functions. And ladies, regular dry brushing can help reduce cellulite, evening out fat deposits and improve appearance.
As dry brushing creates friction the brisk strokes invigorates the skin and stimulates both blood and lymphatic flow (improving immunity). In a broader sense, it can assist with sluggishness, fatigue and vitality.
How does dry brushing work?
Using a dry brush or gloves, work with brisk strokes along the skin, always working from our extremities toward the heart. Dry brushing can be done on all parts of the body including the face (unless you suffer from Rosacea).
- Stand in a bath or shower naked (to catch any waste)
- Start at your feet and using long strokes, work your way up to the heart
- Next begin strokes starting at your hands and work your way up toward your heart. Allow the strokes to overlap brushing over the same area more than once
- On the stomach, breasts and joints use small circular motions, whilst on the arms, legs and back work with longer strokes
- Apply light pressure on sensitive skin and avoid areas with skin vulnerabilities such as eczema.
It is a practice that is recommended in the morning before your shower when the skin is dry and lotion free. If your skin is a little pink after dry brushing don’t panic.... however don’t apply so much pressure that it is painful.
Try it and you will love it.
Top Tip: For those of your looking for even more nourishment, add on a self oil massage post dry brushing. Almond oil is a wonderful choice and appropriate for all skin types. In these warmer months, coconut and peppermint oil is also lovely.
How often should I be dry brushing?
Dry brushing is a great way to get rid of dead skin cells, but you don't want to overdo it. Dry brushing is recommended once or twice a week at most.
Be sure to wash your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month to get rid of all the dead skin buildup. If you have ultra-sensitive skin, dry brushing once every couple of weeks should be plenty.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
The benefits of dry brushing are many, including;
- getting rid of flaky skin
- increasing circulation
- detoxifying
- aiding digestion
- Dry brushing can also help reduce cellulite, evening out fat deposits and improve appearance. It invigorates the skin and stimulates both blood and lymphatic flow (improving immunity).
Is it better to dry brush with gloves or a brush?
Dry brushing skin kit
When it comes to using a glove or brush for dry brushing, it really comes down to personal preference. Gloves tend to be gentler on the skin than brushes, which can help your skin slowly become accustomed to the dry brushing process.
Gloves can also be used wet in the shower, which isn't an option with brushes.
What is the best brush to use for dry brushing?
If you're looking to get the benefits of dry brushing, you'll want to use a natural stiff-bristled bath or shower brush with a long handle.
Some bristles are stiffer than others, so it just depends on your skin's sensitivity and what you prefer. The long handle is helpful for tough-to-reach areas like your back.
Who should not do dry brushing?
Although dry brushing has benefits, it's important to be aware that it isn't suitable for everyone. If you have a skin condition such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, dry brushing your face can make your symptoms worse.
In fact, even if you don't have a skin condition, dry brushing can still irritate your skin if you do it too often.
How long does it take to see the results of dry brushing?
You will see results in as little as two days, with an improvement in overall skin quality and firmness. Physical results will happen almost immediately, with your skin becoming super soft through exfoliation.
Internal and mental benefits will start to happen over time, so including this in your routine will really help to get the blood and toxins moving internally.
You will see an improvement in the texture and tone of your skin because of the removal of dead skin cells cellulite over a month of use, and this will continue to improve in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle and diet.
Do you have to shower after dry brushing?
It's best to perform dry brushing at the start of the day, before you shower. This is because your skin is dry and free of lotion, so the brush can work more effectively.
You don't have to shower after dry body brushing, but you can if you'd like to. Dry brushing is a great way to exfoliate your skin, and it can also help improve your circulation.
Can you feel sick after dry brushing?
Dry brushing can have some unpleasant side effects, especially if you haven't been moving your lymphatic system around much or it's full of toxins.
Once all that stuff starts moving, your body needs to deal with it, and that can be uncomfortable.
Some dry brushing side effects people have reported are queasiness, lightheadedness, and skin irritation. The skin irritation is unrelated to your lymph system and can easily be solved by dry brushing less often and with less pressure.
Can dry brushing help you lose weight?
Dry brushing has numerous benefits, one of which is improved circulation. This increased blood flow helps with detoxification, which can lead to reduced cellulite, and better digestion.
Additionally, dry brushing can help to remove excess water and toxins from the body, which can reduce bloating. By improving circulation and removing toxins, dry brushing can indirectly aid in weight loss.
Do you dry brush your armpits?
Skin brushing is an often overlooked way to detox the armpits. By draining the lymph nodes and de-clogging the pores, skin brushing can help remove aluminium residue.
What happens if you dry brush every day?
The most common side effect of dry brushing is usually just slightly irritated skin. However, if you brush too hard, too often, or if you have sensitive skin, you might experience more problems. Your skin may look a bit pink after dry brushing, but it shouldn't be red or have any abrasions. You can dry brush every day if you want, but most people recommend only doing it one to two times per week.
Do you dry brush your face?
Although dry brushing is commonly focused on the upper and lower body, it can also be used on your face and neck. When this is done, the dry brushing process gently exfoliates your skin, and cleanses and prepares it for your skin care routine. You should only dry brush your face when it's completely clean, as it's possible to overdo it with dry brushing.
Can dry brushing help cellulite?
Although dry brushing can't completely get rid of cellulite, it may help reduce the appearance of cellulite temporarily by increasing blood flow and plumping up the skin.
Having increased circulation from dry brushing will cause vasodilation (that's when your capillaries widen, causing an increased amount of blood flow in the area). This will cause a temporary plumping up of the skin, making your cellulite appear less visible.
Conclusion
Dry brushing your skin is a daily body massage. Dry brushing can be done with a dry brush, natural bristles, or linen/silk gloves. This type of brushing stimulates the skin and helps to promote the removal of cellular waste.
The skin is full of nerves, cells, and glands that act as a barrier to protect the body. When cellular waste builds up, it can compromise the skin's ability to eliminate waste. Removing these cells will help to improve the way your skin functions.
Happy brushing!
