Over the years I have found my love and passion with ancient ritual beauty and self-care rituals to be grounding and sensually alluring. Lately, I have been delving into ancient beauty rituals of many different cultures.
Maybe it’s the goddess of love and passion that draws me to this. Who knows?
Dry brushing has been part of ancient Greek, Native American and Ayurveda health treatments for centuries. It’s been used in ancients times to keep the body healthy and has now made its way back into popularity in our modern world.
WHAT IS DRY SKIN BRUSHING
Dry skin brushing is an amazing self-care routine that’s simple and an effective way to
- Detoxify
- Tighten and smooth your skin
- Reduces the appearance of cellulite
- Promotes cell renewal
- Boosts the lymphatic system
- Increases blood circulation
Here’s what you need to know about how to dry brush your skin and why it matters.
What is Dry Brushing
Dry skin brushing is a vigorous form of manual exfoliation, performed by rubbing the skin with a dry, stiff, natural-bristled brush. By eliminating dead skin cells, skin is better able to release waste through the surface, helping eliminate toxins and stimulating skin’s natural oils, providing hydration.
Dry Brushing at Home
By correctly engaging the lymphatic system, you help move out the toxins. There are certain points in the body that are gland watersheds, or dumping sites
Dry brushing at home can be extremely beneficial. Brushing before showering helps to boost energy and set a good foundation for self-care throughout the day. You should:
Dedicate at least three to five minutes to brushing.
The brush should be clean and dry.
On bare skin
Start at the feet and brush upward towards the hip area with firm strokes.
Stop at the breast area and dry brush the arms, going upwards towards the shoulders.
For the back you’ll need a long-handled brush
To exfoliate the delicate décolleté, neck, and face, a smaller, dry, clean face brush should be used.
Use long, sweeping strokes on the arms and legs
Pressure should be light, especially in more delicate areas, such as the stomach and arm pits
Thicker skinned areas, such as the thighs and soles of the feet, can take slightly more pressure.
As a general rule, pressure should never be applied to an area where the sensation is uncomfortable or painful.
You can apply a few drops of moisturizing oil on skin or to the brush to help perform the exfoliation.
What Kind of Brush Can Be Used
A wooden brush with natural-fiber bristles is ideal. Boar bristles are softer, easier to clean, and longer-lasting than many synthetics. Oval shaped brushes fit into the palm of the hand and Kiln-dried wood is most resistant to mold and bacteria. Bristles should to be washed with mild soap, avoiding the wooden area or spray bristles with natural oils such as tea tree oil.
What to Do After
After dry brushing you should follow with a shower or bath to wash away dry, dead skin cells. Alternating temperatures in the shower from hot to cold could help further invigorate the skin. Moisturizing with a rich body cream, lotion, or oil that contains seaweed extracts and coconut oil to help skin feel soft and smooth.
When Not to Dry Brush
Do not dry brush if you’re are undergoing any serious medical treatments, such as:
Chemotherapy, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or eczema, speak to your doctor about this first. Soft massage with a hydrating cream can be most beneficial for these skin types.
Do not dry brush if you’ve shaved that day, have a sunburn, or recently had chemical exfoliation in the area.
Stop immediately if skin becomes red or irritated. Using a brush that is too stiff or rubbing too hard can cause skin to become scratched. Skin should never feel irritated or look red and inflamed. Clients should stop immediately if this is the case.
Another way to help with your lymphatic system is to use a castor oil pack. You can read more about it here.
So…sexy goddess what are you waiting for?! Start dry brushing yourself to beautiful looking skin too!!!
Sources
J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Oct;16(10):1079-88.
National Cancer Institute, Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Live Science September 8, 2010
Healthline, How to Perform Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphat Res Biol. 2013 Dec;11(4):219-26. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Feb;32(2):127-33.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Nov;94(11):2103-11.
Neurol Sci. 2016 Oct;37(10):1627-32.
Live Science February 20, 2018
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Feb;96(2):283-91.
This was very informative. I have a dry brush, I should really used it more often.
I hadn’t read about this. How long is it advisable to do dry brushing?
According to Dr. Mercola he says “Dry skin brushing should be done daily for best results, or even twice a day if you like. Try incorporating it into your normal daily routine, such as doing your brushing before your morning shower and then again after work (avoid doing it too close to bedtime, as it may leave you feeling energized).” Dry Skin Brushing: Benefits and How To
And according to Well.org they also recommend “Skin brush for between three to five minutes for best results. You can skin brush every day, but try three times per week to begin with.”
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE ON HOW TO DRY SKIN BRUSH
Never brush over skin that is broken, which includes cuts, scrapes, lesions, sores or burned skin, including sunburns. Don’t ever brush over areas of infection, redness or general irritation, inflammation, cellulitis or skin cancer. Stop dry brushing if skin becomes irritated or inflamed