Dry Body Brushing

Dry brushing. I know, it sounds kind of weird. Most of us are used to exfoliating in the shower or at the spa, but rubbing a thick brush over dry skin definitely sounds a little strange. Surprisingly, dry brushing is a little known tactic that can help with a variety of skin issues. Additionally, many people find it helpful in combatting cellulite, stress and stimulating the lymphatic system, which can help to eliminate toxins in our bodies. (1) Before we get into the benefits of dry brushing, lets talk about the process.

1. Purchase a brush with a long handle and natural bristles. This one works great. (2)
2. The easiest time to dry brush is right before you take a shower and before you’ve put any lotions, oils or other products on your skin. Morning normally works best. Remove your clothes and stand either in the bathtub or anywhere in your bathroom. (2)
3. Begin brushing your feet and slowly work your way up the body with long sweeping motions. The goal is to always brush toward your heart. You will want to brush each part of your body a few times. When you get to your back, this is the one area where you can brush downward. Be careful when brushing sensitive areas of the skin – you don’t want to hurt yourself. As time goes on, your body will adjust to the sensation. (2)
4. After you’ve done your entire body, hop in the shower and wash each area that you brushed with a natural cleanser or soap. (2)
5. After you get out of the shower, dry your skin and apply your favorite body oil or moisturizer. (2)
6. Dry brushing is most successful when done on a daily basis. Remember to clean your brush every couple weeks and let it dry in the sun or somewhere that gets a natural breeze so that it doesn’t breed mildew. (2)

So, what benefits can you expect to see from dry body brushing?

1. Dry brushing is a great, natural way to exfoliate your skin and helps to remove dead skin cells. Brushing dry skin has been shown to be more successful when it comes to exfoliation than exfoliating when your skin is wet. Dead skin cells give our skin a lackluster appearance and dry brushing can help to brighten the appearance of skin all over the body. (3)
2. Stress reducer. While little research has been done on dry brushing in particular, self-care has been well documented as a tactic for relaxation and stress reduction. Spending a little extra time taking care of yourself can be a form of meditation and a great tactic for starting your day on a calm & soothing note. (3)
3. Lymphatic Stimulant. Our lymphatic system does not get as much love as it should. The lymph system is responsible for eliminating many toxins from our body including excess fluid, bacteria, viruses, etc. However, it does not do a very good job of stimulating itself, which is where dry brushing comes in. Dry brushing, along with just hitting our lymph notes lightly can help stimulate the system to do what it does best – rid our bodies of harmful toxins. (3)
4. Cellulite reducer. While this result is mostly seen on a case-by-case, individual basis, many people do report seeing a decrease in cellulite after starting a dry brushing routine. This is mostly because cellulite can appear due to toxic build up in our body’s fat cells. Since dry brushing helps to stimulate the lymph system and since the lymph system helps to eliminate toxins, it’s not surprising that many people report a reduction in cellulite when dry brushing. (3)

Extra dry brushing tips and tricks…

1. While most people dry brush their bodies, there are smaller brushes available for the face. If you have sensitive, damaged or sunburnt skin, this is not recommended. But, gently using a dry brush on your face can have the same beneficial effects that it has on your body. (4)
2. Dry brushing can be extremely harmful if you have broken skin or are sunburnt. Only dry brush on healthy, strong skin. If you’re not sure, we recommend speaking to your doctor or dermatologist before starting. (4)

Happy dry brushing! Anya Kaats & Suja Juice