Senora Skin: What Does Dry Brushing Do For You?
Right now #drybrushing is a tiktok favorite, with people caught up in an actual controversy about whether you should do it before or after the shower.
But dry brushing has been a thing for a while – actually going back to the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, who used things like natural bristle brushes and strigils (scraping tools), to cleanse and exfoliate their skin, and of course it’s a major tool in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian holistic healing system.
Contrary to what you may believe, it’s actually really easy to do, just grab a dry brush and a moisturizer, and go.
What are the benefits of Dry Brushing?
- Exfoliation and Cell Renewal: Dry brushing helps remove dead skin cells and unclogs pores, promoting smoother and softer skin. Regular exfoliation encourages cell turnover, leading to a more radiant complexion.
- Stimulation of Lymphatic System: Dry brushing can boost the lymphatic system’s function, which is responsible for eliminating toxins and waste from the body. By promoting lymphatic drainage, dry brushing may reduce fluid retention and support overall detoxification.
- Improved Circulation: The act of brushing increases blood flow to the skin’s surface, enhancing circulation. Improved blood flow can assist in delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin, aiding in its repair and regeneration.
Is there proof that dry brushing works?
While dry brushing has been a popular practice for centuries, scientific studies on its benefits are really limited and there are zero studies finding the effectiveness of dry brushing for cellulite reduction or lymphatic system enhancement. Most evidence supporting its advantages is anecdotal or created by brands.
So why dry brush?
However, just because the scientific literature hasn’t found it just yet, that doesn’t mean dry brushing doesn’t have actual benefits! When you dry brush, you’re really giving yourself a massage, and so those benefits include improved circulation, decreased joint inflammation, and less pain and soreness.
Mentally it helps you with relaxation and improved sleep. Its skin benefits are quite clear. Your legs or arms will be visibly smoother after just a few weeks of evening dry brushing.
It’s a really great self-care option when you’re menstruating, because it could even help relax your muscles enough to reduce your cramps.
Here’s how you dry brush
- Equipment: Use a natural bristle brush with a long handle to reach all areas of your body comfortably.
- Dry Skin: Dry brushing should be performed on dry skin before showering, though I love doing this in the evening right before I go to sleep, so it depends on your preference.
- Light Pressure: Apply gentle pressure to avoid damaging the skin. Brush towards the heart in long, sweeping motions, covering each area multiple times.
- Start from Feet: Begin at your feet and move upwards, covering legs, abdomen, arms, and back. Use circular motions around joints and more sensitive areas. I like to brush each “section” of the body 15 times – so for example, the front of your leg, followed by the back of your leg, followed by the knee, the back of the knee, the heel, etc. Usually I only dry brush my legs, and do it in the evening to help with sleep.
- Avoid Sensitive Areas: Do not dry brush on broken skin, rashes, or sunburned areas. Also, skip the face as facial skin is delicate.
- Moisturize After: Use your favorite face and body oil to lock in moisture. Your exfoliated skin will be ready for the oily goodness and it will easier for your skin to absorb it after it’s cleared of dead skin cells. I of course love using our Vamigas Chilean rosehip for benefits like improving skin texture.
