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Dry brushing is a technique that involves using a long-handled brush on dry skin. This process helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, improving skin texture. However, excessive or harsh brushing can lead to irritation or infection. It’s important to understand the facts about dry brushing and the best practices before starting this routine.
Steps
Preparing for Dry Brushing
Know What to Expect. Like many other health trends, dry brushing is often promised to offer numerous health benefits, but not all of these claims are supported by science. You should be aware of the facts before diving into this practice, ensuring you don’t overdo it or do it unnecessarily.
- Although the effectiveness of dry brushing on blood circulation is still debated, it does help with exfoliation. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, but you don’t need to exfoliate frequently before age 30, as younger skin naturally sheds dead cells. After 30, your skin may need extra help, and dry brushing can be beneficial.
- Dry brushing may affect the appearance of cellulite (the lumpy, uneven skin caused by fat deposits), but it doesn’t eliminate or significantly reduce it. Dry brushing can temporarily smooth the skin’s surface, so brushing before a beach outing is a great way to feel and look better, but the results will last only about 24 hours.
- Many beauty and wellness websites recommend dry brushing twice a day, but this could be harmful. If done too frequently or too vigorously, the bristles can scratch the skin, causing tiny abrasions that may become infected. Moreover, over-exfoliating more than once a week can disrupt your skin’s protective barrier, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Dry brushing can impact certain skin conditions. People with eczema or other chronic skin diseases should avoid it, as they are more prone to complications. However, if you have keratosis pilaris (a condition causing red, bumpy skin), dry brushing may help remove the dead cells causing the bumps.
Select a Brush. Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons and decided that dry brushing is right for you, the next step is choosing the brush to use.
- You will need a natural bristle brush, made of non-synthetic materials, with a long handle. These can be found at health product stores or beauty salons.
- The longer the handle, the better. You’ll need to reach difficult areas, such as your back.
- Opt for a brush with firm bristles. Cactus or plant-based bristles are ideal. If you’re unsure, ask the store staff for advice.
- For more delicate areas like your face, abdomen, and chest, choose a brush without a handle and softer bristles.
Determine the Right Time and Frequency for Dry Brushing. Before you begin, decide when you will dry brush during the day.
- Many people recommend dry brushing in the morning before showering, believing it revitalizes the body and prepares it for the day.
- Be careful not to overdo it. While some fans of this practice dry brush daily or twice a day, this isn’t necessary and can lead to dry skin, irritation, and potential infection.
Start the Dry Brushing Process
Stand on a Tiled Surface. Before you start dry brushing, make sure you’re standing on a tiled surface. Most people prefer doing this in the shower or bathtub, as dead skin flakes will shed during the process, and you’ll want to be in an easy-to-clean area.
Start at the Feet and Brush Upwards. Use the long-handled brush to begin brushing your feet and work your way up your legs. The dry brushing process should start from the lower body and move upwards. Brushing upwards is said to stimulate lymphatic drainage and improve circulation to the heart. This technique may help detoxify the body and enhance blood flow.
- Use long, smooth strokes. Brush in a reverse motion, with each stroke directed towards the heart.
- If you find it difficult to balance, rest one foot on a stool or the edge of the bathtub.
- Pay special attention to thicker skin areas, like the ankles and soles of your feet. Make sure to brush these areas several times to ensure the removal of dead skin.
Move to the Arms and Then the Upper Body. Continue brushing with the long-handled brush, starting with your arms after completing the legs. Remember to keep the strokes directed towards your heart with each pass.
- Start at the hands and brush upward towards the shoulders. Use long, smooth strokes, just as you did with your legs.
- Pay special attention to thicker skin areas, such as the elbows, to ensure that dead skin is fully removed.
- Move to your back. This area can be tricky due to hard-to-reach spots. Make sure your brush has a long enough handle to access your back and other difficult areas. Brush from the lower back to your shoulder blades.
- Finally, move to the upper torso and sides. Brush upwards towards the chest, heading towards the heart. For the sides, brush from the hips to the armpits.
Brush Sensitive Areas. When moving to more delicate areas, switch to a softer brush.
- For your face, use shorter, gentler strokes, moving from your forehead down to your neck.
- The breasts and nipples should also be brushed with a softer brush to avoid irritation in these sensitive areas.
- If you want to repeat the full-body brushing, use the soft brush to prevent skin irritation.
What to Do After Dry Brushing
Shower After Dry Brushing. Showering after dry brushing is a good idea, even if you didn’t do it in the morning. Any leftover dead skin will be washed away in the shower.
- Some recommend alternating between hot and cold water to boost circulation, but this is not necessary. Feel free to shower with hot water as usual if you prefer.
- Instead of rubbing your skin with a towel, gently pat it dry. Your skin may be more sensitive after dry brushing, so avoid any harsh friction that could cause irritation or infection.
- Apply natural oils to replenish the skin’s moisture after brushing and showering. Rosehip oil or coconut oil are great choices.
Clean the Dry Brushing Area and Brush After Use. After completing the dry brushing routine, clean the area where you brushed and your brushing tools.
- If you brushed in the bathroom, cleaning up is easy as dead skin will wash down the drain. On other tiled surfaces, you’ll need to sweep and dispose of the skin flakes.
- Keep your brush dry. Do not hang it in the shower, as moisture can cause mold. Keep the brush away from damp areas.
- Occasionally, clean your brush by using a small amount of shampoo or liquid soap to wash the bristles. Rinse it thoroughly and dry it as much as possible. Hang it in a safe place to air dry, avoiding areas where water might splash.
Track your dry brushing schedule. Keep in mind that excessive dry brushing can cause skin problems. It's important to mark the date on your calendar or phone when you perform dry brushing and wait at least two weeks before doing it again. While some people advocate brushing once or twice a day, this can increase the risk of infections and skin inflammation.
Tips
- There's no need to brush aggressively. Gentle exfoliation is more effective than brushing too hard.
- For areas with skin issues, brush twice: first with a long-handled brush, then with a softer, handle-free brush. Pay special attention to the feet and elbows, as these areas tend to become dry and cracked.
Warnings
- Avoid brushing over skin that is torn, irritated, bruised, or abnormal. Wait until the skin heals from any infection before resuming dry brushing.
What you'll need
- Natural bristle brush with a wooden handle
