Dry Brushing And Why You Should Add It To Your Weekly Routine!
What is dry brushing?
It is simply a body massage with a dry, stiff-bristled brush that helps get rid of flaky skin, increase circulation, detoxify, help digestion and even improve the appearance of cellulite. You take a body brush (look for one with firm, natural bristles) and use it to gently massage your body in an upward motion.
Why should I start dry brushing?
The mechanical action of dry brushing is excellent for exfoliating rough, dry skin. Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and encouraging lymphatic drainage. All blood carries lymph fluid, which filters through the lymph nodes. Dry brushing speeds up the rate of blood pumping, which helps get the lymph through the body, therefore removing toxins and pathogens more quickly.
Also, by unclogging pores, it’s easier for the body to sweat and eliminate toxins in your system.
Dry brushing can make you feel good since it has the additional benefit of stimulating your nervous system. It can also leave you feeling invigorated like a massage often does.
Removing dead skin cells can help make your skin smoother and softer. It can also give your skin a brighter appearance.
Dry brushing is also gentler on your skin than scrubbing in the shower.
Hot water inflames your skin and even strips away oils, fats, and proteins that keep your skin healthy. This can cause redness and itching. Brushing your skin while it is dry allows you to exfoliate and increase blood circulation without robbing it of moisture the way the hot water in your shower can.
How to use the dry brush?
Start at your feet and move up your body:
Brush your skin using wide, circular, clockwise motions.
Use light pressure in areas where your skin is thin and harder pressure on thicker skin, like the soles of your feet.
Brush your arms after you have brushed your feet, legs, and mid-section. You should brush upward towards your armpits.
After dry brushing, take a cool shower to help remove the dry skin.
After your shower, dry off and then consider adding natural plant oil, such as olive or coconut oil, to moisturize your skin (or you can read more about other natural skin lotions here)
Please remember to never dry brush over moles, warts, or raised bumps and on skin that’s broken. This includes cuts, scrapes, lesions, sores or burned skin, including sunburns. Always ask your dermatologist if you have questions.
We recommend dry brushing about one to two times per week. And don't forget to wash your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month to get rid of all of that dead skin buildup.
