WTF Is Dry Brushing?

About a year ago, I spoke about jade rolling,–what it is and what it does–and you guys loved it. Since then, I’ve gotten quite a few questions about other fad beauty techniques, and today we’re going to tackle one of them–dry brushing.

Walk into a spa; and among the lotions and potions, chances are you’ll see an interesting object among them–a long wooden brush. This is your dry brush. The tool itself is pretty self explanatory–a wooden base with bristles. I mean, it’s a brush! In essence, dry brushing is spa technique combining exfoliation and massage by way of a dry brush. The idea is that the firm bristles will exfoliate and remove toxins from the skin while the pressure improves circulation, lymphatic drainage, and multitude of other health benefits.

As in many fad-like beauty/wellness trends, further research needs to be done, and researchers are conflicted. So today we’re going to cover some of the pros, cons, and my thoughts on dry brushing, in general.

What Does it Do? | Benefits + Purposes

The Positives:

• Exfoliation: I’m sure you could probably guess this one. Dry brushing will remove dead skin cell build up and leave you with smooth, healthy looking skin. As the bristles exfoliate, you’ll also be unclogging your pores, allowing your skin to absorb more nutrients.

 

• All sorts of good stuff for your lymphatic system: This is where things get murky and experts think more research need to be done. It’s easy and logical to say, “Yeah, this firm bristles do remove dead skin cells, and because of that your skin is smooth and bright.” It’s more difficult to speak on what’s happening inside of your body.
  • The firm bristles of the brush give your skin thorough exfoliation while the pressure helps stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage, which helps the body eliminate toxins.
  • Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a regular pump within the body, so you have to move the lymph system with activity like walking, yoga, or other exercise. If you’re too stagnant, are really stressed, or develop scar tissue in the connective tissue, the lymph system can become stagnant. This causes our bodies to do a poorer job of flushing out things that don’t benefit the body–like environmental toxins from air or pesticides from food.

 

• Some say dry brushing can also help reduce the appearance of cellulite and aid in digestion and kidney functions.

The Negatives:

• Dry brushing can increase the rate at which your skin loses water and can make your skin more prone to drying. So it’s important to moisturize and drink plenty of water afterward.

 

• People with sensitive skin due to hormones or skin irritations and conditions (like dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis) could be doing more harm than good by dry brushing.
  • Skin should feel smooth and look clear after, not irritated. People with these skin conditions could be irritating their skin more than helping it. If any irritations occur after dry brushing, it’s probably not a good idea to continue.

How Do You Use It?

The actual technique to using a dry brush is extremely simple. Begin, first, at the ankles and work your way up your legs, using small and gentle circular motions or small upward strokes. Then move to the stomach and back, then arms and chest. As you brush, make sure your movements are slow and moving toward the heart. The pattern of the lymph system flows toward the heart.

Do this for about 3-5 minutes 2-3 times per week.

My Thoughts:

After dry brushing twice a week for about 4 months, my end thought is “Eh.” Honestly, I can’t tell a whole lot of difference.

I’m one of those people who do have skin conditions. I have eczema and psoriasis on my arms, and I did notice it further irritating those spots, so I refrained from using the brush on my arms.

I don’t know if dry brushing did anything inwardly in my body–I don’t know if I am getting my lymphatic drainage under control. But I do notice my legs are a lot softer and smoother.

When it comes down to whether or not I’d recommend dry brushing…I wouldn’t say to not do it. It will probably effect everyone differently, so I’d try for yourself. Personally, I think more than anything, it helps me slow down and really focus on my skin. Dry brushing before bed, while my bath water ran, allowed me to relax a little bit and familiarize myself with my skin. I think if you do start to dry brush, at least you’ll be more apt to moisturize!

 

Have you tried out the current beauty crazy, dry brushing? What do you think?

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