Dry Brushing: You Should Brush Your Body Too
Photo from Unsplash
Do you brush your body?
If you already do, go boo! You already know what I’m about to say. If you do not brush your body and would like to learn more keep reading.
First thing, what is dry brushing? According to Medical News Today, dry brushing is a technique that involves using a bristle brush on dry skin. The goal is to exfoliate and massage the skin. Our skin is the largest organ we have. Exfoliation is the key to keeping it looking its best. A massage doesn’t hurt either. In fact, this mini brush massage just might help your circulation.
Let’s talk more about the benefits
I probably had some of you at massage but the exfoliation is really the best benefit of dry brushing. Essentially, it removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and unclogs pores leaving you with a radiant glow. This can be an instant game changer. An accumulation of dead skin cells often leads to dull-looking skin. The effects are even better with a shower and moisturization session afterward.
Dry brushing has also been said to boost circulation, although there is no evidence to confirm this claim. Essentially, the sensation of the bristles on the skin stimulates the nervous system. Speaking from personal experience, the motion of the brushing and pressure of the bristles leave my skin feeling alive! Like, my blood is flowing.
Some users believe in dry brushing so much that they even think it may assist in lymphatic drainage. Again, no studies have confirmed this idea. Lymph is a fluid in the body that travels around the lymphatic system. It’s known to remove waste products, such as toxins, dead bacteria, and viruses.
Lastly, the few minutes of time you put into dry brushing every day result in beautiful smooth skin and the gift of self-care. I wasn’t sure if I liked how it felt when I first started brushing my skin. After about a week, I accidentally skipped a day and it felt like my skin actually missed how the bristles feel. It’s such a calming sensation with beautiful benefits!
In Punta Cana for my birthday with radiant skin!
Why you should be doing it
So obviously exfoliation, a possible boost in circulation, and a quick self-care moment are all enough but the real reason is to save money where you can and look damn good doing it!
A full body scrub from a spa can range in cost from $75-$125 for a 30 to 60-minute session.
Quick share:
I booked an appointment for a full-body skin exfoliating session some years ago at a local well-known beauty spa. The experience and results were wonderful but the cost was up there. During my service, the masseuse asked if I’d ever tried dry brushing, which I had not yet. She recommended that I do that on a weekly basis to maintain the skin that I was trying to achieve with my visit to the spa. I took her advice and never looked back!
How to do it
Photo from Unsplash
Depending on the type of brush and the amount of pressure, dry brushing can be a gentle or jarring experience. It’s important to find the right brush for you so that you actually want to do it. More importantly, check with your dermatologist if you have any skin conditions that could be made worse by dry brushing.
Dry brushing steps:
Get undressed and begin brushing from the feet up (what I do) or from the arms upward towards the heart, using light circular motions, and making sure to cover every inch of your skin.
Move from area to area on your body in any order you prefer while avoiding delicate areas if necessary.
Next, if you want to do your face too, be sure to use a softer brush.
Then take a shower or bath to wash away the skin
Finally, pat the skin dry and moisturize.
Tip: Start brushing 2-3 times a week and work your way up to every day if you can. Just a few minutes of your day can really make a difference in your skin.