Dry Brushing: The Beauty Technique You Need To Know

If you haven’t heard of dry brushing yet, your life is about to change. This incredibly simple, yet often overlooked, activity is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of your skin, energy and more. The best part? Dry brushing is extremely affordable, requires little effort, and only takes a few minutes per day.

Here’s a closer look at what dry brushing is, how to do it, and its many benefits.

What Is Dry Brushing?

Unlike some other beauty treatments, dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like. You are literally brushing your skin with a dry brush. However, you need to use a specific brush — don’t just grab the regular hairbrush from your bathroom cabinet. A dry brush contains dense, semi-firm, not-too-coarse bristles that increase circulation and activate your lymphatic system as they make contact with your skin.

How to Dry Brush

While dry brushing is as simple as brushing your skin, there is a specific technique you need to use to get the best results:

• Always brush toward your heart. The majority of the drainage of your lymphatic system drains at the nodes located in this region, so by brushing in that direction, you are moving the toxins to their exit.
• Use long, straight strokes, starting at your feet and working your way up.
• Do three to four strokes on each part of your skin before moving onto the next area — just make sure you are lifting the brush and restarting each time, so you never brush downward.
• Drink a large glass of water when you are done to help move the toxins.
• Take a shower to wash the dead skin cells that were removed.

What Are the Benefits of Dry Brushing?

By increasing blood flow at the skin’s surface and throughout your body, dry brushing can provide many benefits: 

• Increases toxin removal: By stimulating your entire lymphatic system and encouraging the oxygen to transport more completely to all of your cells and tissues, your body is able to sweep away toxins and flush them out of your system.
• Improves skin appearance: Dry brushing can improve your skin’s appearance in many ways. First, since it is providing exfoliation, you will probably notice your skin is smoother. Because the blood flow is improved, you may also notice a decrease in skin discoloration, varicose veins and even cellulite. Additionally, dry brushing helps unclog the pores throughout your body, so the lotions and creams you use can work more effectively.
• Boosts energy: Who couldn’t use a little more energy in the morning? With dry brushing, you can get it. You aren’t just improving circulation to your skin, you are increasing circulation to your brain, which can help you get a little extra pep in your step for the day. As such, it is recommended to only dry brush in the morning: The energy it induces may keep you awake at night if done too late in the day.
• May eliminate ingrown hairs: Since dry brushing is an extremely effective exfoliant, it also helps to keep your pores clear. This can aid in reducing and/or healing ingrown hairs.
• Helps your body run smoother: By detoxifying your body, dry brushing makes every organ work better. After doing it for a few weeks, you will begin to notice it impacting every aspect of your life — from an improved metabolism to a rejuvenated nervous system.

If you can dedicate five minutes or less every day to dry brushing, you will begin to notice many changes in both your physical appearance and well-being. Once added to your morning routine, you will never look back.