Dry brushing has been around for centuries and each year it seems to become more and more popular. But, does dry brushing really work? I needed to find out.
Devotees claim that dry brushing has myriad benefits, including exfoliation, improved circulation and lymphatic flow, smaller pores, cellulite reduction, detoxification of the body, and improved digestion. Dry body brushing is a bit of a strange concept,
but after my research into the benefits and results you can see from dry brushing it's something I would wholeheartedly encourage you introduce into your self-care routine. Dry body brushing will have you bidding farewell to orange-peel skin pronto, as well as, a host of other benefits.
1. Dry brushing the skin moves lymph fluid
The lymph system is one of the most important systems in your body as it is used to help carry debris out of your body. It moves germs and infection out of your system when you are sick. A healthy lymph system aids in a healthy immune system.
Skin brushing helps stimulate the ducts to break up clogs and help the fluid move more easily through your system. Stagnation isn’t good so keeping the lymph fluid flowing aids in helping your body function at healthier levels. A slow-moving lymph system can also cause problems with your nervous system.
2. Dry brushing helps cleanse the skin
The skin is our largest organ, it not only protects us but it also how we eliminate things we don’t want in our bodies. Our skin also helps absorb things we need. (Which is why natural skin products are a super good idea).
Brushing the skin while dry helps to remove dead skin and tissue to help the skin ‘breathe’, which allows our body to more effectively get rid of toxins. Basically allowing good things in and bad things out.
3. Dry brushing can improve cellulite
Nobody likes to talk about it and nobody likes to have it, but cellulite is an issue for many women.
If you have poor blood flow to your connective tissues, they will swell and stretch apart, allowing fat to bulge through, giving you cellulite - skin brushing can help! (I know, I was skeptic about this part too!)
Dry brushing seems to help break up fat deposits under the skin, therefore, helping to distribute it which helps to smooth cellulite. I really saw a difference in my upper arm and the top of my leg area. (I’m totally being personal so you know just how much I believe in skin brushing for health!)
4. Dry brushing can help to prevent ingrown hairs (hallelujah!)
Ingrown hairs are so pesky! The good news? Dry body brushing can help to prevent them. How you ask? Brushing regularly helps to encourage cell turnover and reduce the clogging of pores which results in ingrown hairs in the first place.
5. Dry brushing helps stimulate the liver
In our world today our livers are stressed and overburdened. Their job is to help eliminate toxins, flush excess and used hormones from the body, and aid in digestion. An easy thing to do to help our livers function better is to body brush.
Dry body brushing method: What is the best body brushing technique?
Before you purchase your dry body brush and scrub away like your life depends on it, it's advisable you get the technique right. Dry body brushing is best practised first thing in the morning - every morning - for two or three minutes before you shower.
Remember to always brush toward your heart.
1. Take the brush and begin with the sole of your right foot. Use firm, rhythmic strokes to cover the sole several times. Next, brush the top of your foot, brushing up towards your ankle. Then go to your lower leg, making sure you cover the whole surface.
Stand up and brush the area from your knee to the top of your thigh. Using long rhythmic strokes - make sure you cover the whole area several times. Brush your buttock area as far up as your waist. Then repeat the whole process on your left leg,
starting again with the sole of your foot. Now, starting from the top of your buttocks and moving in an upward direction, brush the whole of your back several times all the way up to your shoulders.
Next, brush your right arm. Start with the palm of your hand, then move on to the back of your hand. Next, ensuring that the whole surface of your skin is brushed, brush from your wrist up to your elbow. Brush your upper arm, working from your elbow towards your
shoulder, again covering the whole surface of your upper arm.
2. Repeat on your left side, starting with your hand. Then, very gently, brush your abdomen, brushing in a circle, always in a clockwise direction. Cover the area several times but with less pressure than on your arms and legs. If it feels uncomfortable, stop.
3. The neck and chest are sensitive areas, so, again, brush here very gently. Remember, always work towards your heart. If the bristles are too hard on your neck, don't brush here.
Lastly, work on your face. Use a smaller, soft brush or a dry face towel and soften the pressure, as vigorous rubbing can stretch or otherwise damage the facial skin.
Overall it should take between 3-7 minutes to brush your entire body. It is great followed up with a body moisturiser.
Conclusion: It's a fantastic thing to introduce and has done wonders for me. If you fancy giving it a go, I would love to know the results you see. Comment in the section below or reach out on our social platforms!
Happy brushing! :)
Let's be social!
