Dry brushing has been used throughout history for thousands of years. Dating back to places like Japan, Egypt, India, and more, we can see a long history of results from this beauty routine step that’s made a comeback (it’s even become a 2022 buzzword!) Originating as an ancient Hindu medicine ‘Ayurveda’ (which we’ve written about here), we can explore more about this ayurvedic treatment.
What exactly is dry brushing? Dry brushing is the act of using a natural fiber brush in circular, clockwise motions starting at your feet and working your way up. In areas where your skin is thinner, you want to make sure you’re applying a lighter pressure, and in areas where your skin is thicker, apply a stronger pressure. Best when done before a shower, once you’ve finished your dry brush routine, it’s best to take a cold shower and finish it off with a rejuvenating moisturizer.
Now, you might be wondering why you should begin dry brushing? Here are the Top 10 Benefits of Dry Brushing:
- Exfoliation of the Skin: By using the fiber brush along your skin in circular motions, it is working to scrape off any dead skin cells that are left on your skin after shedding, leaving you with smoother, silkier skin.
- Cellulite Reduction: Although there are no scientific studies to show that dry brushing and massage can get rid of cellulite, a study found that massage can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite due to the plumping effect of dry brushing.
- Lymphatic System Drainage: The lymphatic system works hard to rid our bodies of toxins. Apollo Health states that since the lymphatic system is activated with touch or motion; with the assistance of dry brushing, pores become open and drainage can begin.
- Improved Circulation: The Cleveland Clinic found that using wide and circular clockwise motions with your dry brush, the bristles begin to improve circulation from the stimulation.
- Nutrient Absorption: According to the NHS, we should be able to absorb all the vitamin D our body needs through sunlight on our skin all of March-September. Oregon State University states that UVB rays stimulate the production of Vitamin D3 on your skin, and since dry brushing gets rid of all your unneeded dead skin cells, it allows for nutrients to get absorbed easily without any blockages (just make sure you’re wearing your sunscreen!).
- Reboot the Nervous System: Since the skin is our largest organ, the NCBI states that the nervous system gets information through our senses, therefore the sensation found on your skin while dry brushing is due to your nerve endings becoming stimulated. From this stimulation, you are kick-starting your nervous system to ‘reboot’!
- Skin Definition: Working hand-in-hand with your nervous system, stimulating your muscle tissue, the muscle fibers become depolarized to allow the muscles to contract, according to Healthline. The contractions allow for your muscles to become defined and skin to tighten leaving you with smoother and more defined skin.
- Kidney Function: Within the lymphatic system, the kidneys work day in and day out to release itself of toxins. The Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Khetarpal emphasizes that by increasing circulation through dry brushing, you are unclogging pores that allow your lymphatic system to drain properly, including the lymph from your kidneys.
- Gentle detox: Since dry brushing is done before showering, this is a much more gentle way to brush your skin. When in the shower, the Cleveland Clinic states that hot water strips our skin of necessary oils that keep our skin healthy, so dry brushing is a better option as dry brushing kick-starts our circulation and the body’s natural detox process.
- Stress Relief: With its calming and relaxing motions, Dr. Leslie Korn recommends dry brushing to her patients with depression and anxiety as a method of self-care to connect your body with your feelings.
