I’ve been seeing health blogs and YouTubers going crazy about dry brushing. So I had to find out if dry brushing was really that amazing? I became super interested after reading about the benefits. This made me want to dig a little deeper and learn more about dry brushing.

What is dry brushing? Well, it is the practice of brushing the skin with a dry brush in a pattern. This technique has been used in India for thousands of years to cure many diseases.

Benefits

Dry brushing is said to have many cosmetic, internal health, and mental benefits. The most apparent benefit is skin exfoliation. Brushing the skin helps remove dead skin cells and unclogs one’s pores. Dry brushing MAY lower the appearance of cellulite. There is a bit of disagreement about just how true this possible benefit is, so take it with a grain of salt.

Concerning internal health, dry brushing can stimulate the lymphatic system. This will increase blood flow throughout the body and aid the body’s natural ability to detox. Lastly, dry brushing has been said to be a good stress reliever. Regular body massage and taking a moment for self-care will tend to do that.

Tips

Let’s start with picking the right brush. You’re not trying to scratch or hurt the skin, so look for a brush with softer bristles to start out. The bristles should be made of a natural material. A long handle will help you reach your back. Be sure to keep the brush clean as you are removing dead skin cell and dirt with this brush. When is the best time to brush? According to The Healthy Home Economist, “The best time of day to dry brush the skin is in the morning before a shower or bath. Bathing after brushing is important so that the dead skin and toxins released by the dry massage can be rinsed away.”

There are plenty of maps to follow on Pinterest if you’re unsure of what patterns to brush in. I like this one. Just remember to brush toward your core. Don’t try and rake your skin off. Use smooth, soft strokes. Avoid damaged or broken skin. If you experience redness or pain, you may be using too much pressure. If lowering the amount of pressure used doesn’t help, your brush bristles may be too hard. It’s up to you to decide how often to dry brush. It can be daily or just a few times a week. Find what works for you.