Dry Brushing 101: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Dry brushing has become a popular practice that many beauty experts and bloggers swear by. While it has only become known and trendy recently, dry brushing is a beauty ritual rooted back in ancient times and is very common in Ayurvedic medicine. If you are new to this whole practice and want to make the best of dry brushing, here is everything you need to know.

 

First, what are the benefits of dry brushing?

1. Exfoliates dead skin.

2. Plumps the skin and can reduce the appearance of cellulite

3. Enhances blood circulation.

4. Tightens and softens the skin.

5. Promotes even fat distribution.

 

Before we get to the steps of dry brushing, how to choose the right brush? 

• Skin and beauty experts recommend natural bristle brushes made from plants such as cactus, jute, or sisal.

• Avoid brushes with very stiff bristles to avoid skin irritation. Opting for firmer bristle doesn’t mean better dry brushing, on the contrary they can cause skin damage and make it more sensitive to external damaging factors

• To make it easier to reach body parts like the middle of your back, go for brushes with a long handle.

 

How to dry brush?

As simple as it sounds, all you need is a good brush on your dry skin and follow these easy steps. The process should take no longer than 5 minutes

1. Start at your feet and move upwards in a circular motion in the direction of your heart.

2. Maintain a slightly firm pressure on the legs and the arms and a softer pressure on the chest and stomach as this area is more sensitive. Avoid brushing breasts.

3. Avoid redoing and passing on the same area twice to avoid skin irritation.

 

Dry brushing after-care

• After you are done with dry brushing take a shower to rinse off all dead skin cells and apply a moisturizing body lotion or body oil.

• If you are going out directly after this process, apply sunscreen as the skin gets more prone to sun damage.

 

How often should you dry brush?

It all depends on your skin and its strength but as a general rule of thumb, dry brushing shouldn’t be done more than twice a week.

 

How shouldn’t dry brush?

People with extra sensitive skin, eczema, or any serious skin condition should totally avoid dry brushing.