An ancient type of Ayurvedic medicine, dry brushing is a technique that has been used by people for centuries. If you’re new to dry brushing, it basically involves brushing your body from your feet to your chest with a coarse brush.
Everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Miranda Kerr are fans of dry brushing thanks to the health benefits associated with this technique. Not only does this practice exfoliate the skin, but it also helps target cellulite, increases circulation and energy and stimulates the lymphatic system.
The health benefits of dry brushing
According to Healthline, there is little scientific evidence to support the benefits of dry brushing but there is quite a lot of anecdotal evidence. One such anecdotal benefit of dry brushing is lymphatic drainage. The coarse bristles, which are made of natural fibres, help to manually stimulate circulation. According to MindBodyGreen, this helps improve circulation within the body and is better for your skin.
Dry brushing has also been shown to temporality reduce the appearance of cellulite. It’s commonly thought that as dry brushing leads to increased blood flow in the body, this plumps up the skin for a short amount of time and in turn, makes cellulite look reduced. To target cellulite in the short term, give dry brushing a go.
This technique is also great for exfoliating the skin and is especially helpful in the cooler months when your skin is a lot drier. Dry brushing removes dead skin cells from the top layer of skin and leaves your skin looking healthier. Removing this dead skin means your topical treatments, like moisturiser, are more effective when applied.
How to practice dry brushing
Grab yourself a dry brush with a long handle, as this will help you brush those hard to reach areas, and you’re good to go. The only real rule with dry brushing is to start at your feet and move up the body with circular clockwise motions.
Be gentle when brushing your skin with wide motions, as the bristles can be quite tough and cause irritation for those with sensitive skin. If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis or simply have open or inflamed skin, give dry brushing a miss.
Once you have brushed up to your torso, move onto your arms, brushing upwards to your armpits. Finish off with your chest and neck, taking care of the delicate skin in this area. It’s recommended that you take a shower when you finish dry brushing, in order to remove the dead and dry skin. After showering, slather your body in moisturiser or a body oil.
