Dry brushing is a technique originating from Asia for skin care. As the name suggests, it involves brushing the skin without the use of water, oil, or cream. Its practice has not yet been thoroughly studied and many question its usefulness. Let's delve into dry brushing and whether it is necessary to adopt it.
Dry Brushing: Should We Embrace It?
Summary
Published on August 8, 2024, by Manon, Scientific Editor — 4 min of reading
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What exactly is dry brushing?
Originating from Asia, dry brushing is an ancient beauty ritual. It involves using a body brush to brush the skin when it's dry, without water, oil or skincare treatment. This ritual is also known under other names such as body brushing or lymphatic brushing.
Thanks to the numerous benefits that dry brushing offers to the body, many people have already begun to adopt it. Carried out with a special brush, this ritual has detoxifying, softening, and toning effects. It is performed using a brush with natural bristles or soft synthetic bristles, with bristles firm enough to gently exfoliate the skin without irritating it. When done correctly, dry brushing offers numerous benefits to the skin.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
Dry brushing should be carried out in the morning before starting the day. When done correctly, dry brushing offers various benefits to the skin.
Gentle exfoliation.
Dry brushing offers the same benefits as exfoliation. It aids in the removal of dead skin cells, unclogs the pores of the epidermis, and promotes cellular renewal. After a session of dry brushing, the skin will feel soft and smooth to the touch. The advantage over exfoliation is that it can be performed daily without the risk of damaging the skin.
Stimulation of blood circulation.
The contact of the brush on the skin activates blood circulation. As a result, it is recommended for reducing cellulite. To achieve a satisfactory result, circular movements should be performed on areas where dimples appear (thighs, stomach, buttocks, etc.). Although dry brushing cannot completely eliminate cellulite, it can help reduce its appearance by improving blood circulation and stimulating lymphatic drainage. Indeed, it is for this stimulating effect on the lymphatic system that dry brushing is also referred to as lymphatic brushing.
Detoxifies the body.
This technique stimulates the lymphatic system, which is capable of eliminating toxins from the body, thus allowing the body to be detoxified.
Facilitates the absorption of active ingredients.
Following the removal of dead skin cells, the skin will easily absorb the active ingredients contained in the treatments that are subsequently applied. For instance, moisturising treatments can easily impart their hydrating benefits to a brushed skin.
Incorporating dry brushing into a skincare routine
Dry brushing can be easily incorporated into a beauty routine. The brushing should last about 5 to 10 minutes to reap its benefits. It can be done every day, weekly, or as a treatment course.
To perform a proper brushing, it is necessary to adopt certain techniques and choose a suitable brush. The brushing should start at the feet before slowly moving up along the body. One should perform gentle circular motions. After brushing, the body should be rinsed with clear water.
For the brush, it is necessary to have two, one for the body and the other for the face. For dry brushing of the body, one should opt for a wide brush made of natural material. For instance, a brush with a wooden handle and boar bristles is generally used for this type of technique.
For dry brushing of the face, opt for a brush with a small head. When choosing the bristles, select a brush with soft natural fibre bristles. This way, you will exfoliate the skin without damaging it.
