Fast, effective, brings numerous health benefits for your body, and you can do it at home. What is there not to love about dry body brushing?
In the past few years, dry body brushing has become one of the hottest trends among celebrities. You might think that a regular beauty regime like using lotions, creams, and what more on your skin is enough.
But if you want to take things to the next level, we want to introduce you to the latest beauty trend, regular dry scrub using a brush over your thighs and bum.
This routine is best done in the morning, and if you are wondering why you should add something more to your busy morning routine, just check out the benefits.
Benefits of dry body brushing
Exfoliate your skin
By now, you probably know the benefits of exfoliating and what it is. Simply put, exfoliating is a way to get rid of dead skin cells on your skin. These skin cells clog your pores and make your skin look old, damaged, and frankly, unattractive. Some exfoliating options can be harsh on your skin. But not dry body brushing.
As we grow older, our skin is less and less efficient at shedding dead skin cells layers. Brushing your body is one of the best ways of exfoliating.
And let’s not forget, regular exfoliation will improve your skin’s ability to absorb nourishing and beneficial nutrients from body creams, lotions, and serums. In other words, your beauty products become that much more efficient.
Tone up without exercising
Now, let’s not go as far as saying that you will have toned muscles and legs without breaking up a sweat. You still have to exercise on a regular basis. But brushing has proven to be one of the best ways to reduce cellulite. It helps deliver even distribution of fat deposits under the skin. Brushing regularly will help you get that firmer, and smoother skin you always wanted.
Prevent ingrown hair
Brushing and exfoliating supports so many processes in the body. One thing that brushing encourages is cell turnover. That means that your limbs will look and feel supple. When you wax or shave your skin, just a quick brush will make sure there are no pesky ingrown hairs. And it will help you keep those clogged pores at bay.
If you are undergoing a laser hair removal treatment, brushing will help you loosen zapped hairs from the root.
Increase circulation
At the end of the day, improving circulation is something all women want. Especially as we grow older. Circulation is the key to a healthy life, and brushing encourages healthy blood flow. This has a plumping effect on the skin, and as mentioned previously, it can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Do it consistently, and you banish that “orange peel look” of your skin.
Boost your immune system
Exfoliating is a way to eliminate dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, but also bacteria, toxins, and waste. The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering and destroying these substances. However, sometimes, our lymphatic system can be sluggish. So, brush your body to stimulate the lymphatic system and assist in removing pathogens. Removing toxins and bacteria from our body will effectively boost our immune system and make us less prone and susceptible to illnesses.
Delivers oxygen to the cells
Improving circulation means that our body can deliver more oxygen to the cells. And by now you should all know that oxygen is the thing that matters the most. Without oxygen, our cells cannot function normally.
When our body delivers oxygen to the cells, it also delivers much-needed nutrients. These nutrients and oxygen help our body increase collagen production, resulting in a smooth appearance and feel.
Increase energy levels
Are you a morning person who has to drink coffee to start the day? Well, forget about coffee and caffeine for a moment. Brushing will help you increase blood flow and circulation, which is basically what caffeine does in the morning. You will get that energy kick that can help you go through the day.
How to do it properly?
In order to reap all of the benefits of dry body brushing, you have to learn to do it properly. And that is the biggest challenge. Thankfully, there are a number of experts recommending and explaining the right way to do it.
Here is a step by step guide.
- Start on dry skin before bathing, and always work in a gentle circular, and upward motions. Continue with longer and smoother strokes
- Start at your feet, and begin brushing upward towards the heart. Work at the ankles, and work upward to stimulate the lymphatic system. It is important that you brush in the same direction
- When you work on your arms, begin at the hands, and work upward using firm and small strokes upwards
- For your stomach, use a counterclockwise pattern
- The only exception is your back, where you need to work from the neck down to the lower back
- Do not overdo it. Harsh exfoliation is not something you want. Do not press too hard, and do not use a too-stiff brush
- Shower to wash away dead skin cells and impurities after brushing. When you are in the shower, you can alternate between hot and cold temperatures to further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood flow
- Follow up with a moisturizer to nourish your skin
How to pick the right brush?
Just as it is important to do the brushing in the right way, it is important that you select a brush that works. We recommend a firm, natural bristle brush with a long handle. This will allow you to reach every part of your body, including the entire back.
With a long handle, you can easily brush the bottoms of your feet and the back of your legs without bending too much.
If you have sensitive skin, start with a softer brush, and work towards a firmer brush.
Warming for sensitive skin
Speaking of sensitive skin, it is crucial that you pay attention to what works for you and your body. If you have a history of skin conditions like eczema, it is best that you skip this beauty care treatment.
Aggressive skin brushing can irritate your skin, and if you have sensitive skin, it is that much more dangerous.
Do not ignore warning signs like discomfort, redness, itchiness, or pain. When done the right way, brushing should help you. But if you notice symptoms signaling you cannot tolerate it, stop it.