The Benefits of Dry Brushing
As well as stimulating lymphatic drainage, which helps in detoxifying the body, dry brushing is supposed to be great for removing dead skin cells to smooth skin, boosting blood circulation, and reducing puffiness and water retention. It is also a great way to invigorate body and mind, especially at the start of the day. Some also say it’s great at reducing the appearance of cellulite, but from my personal research, this seems somewhat unfounded.
Sophie Bolvary, licensed massage therapist at Sanara, adds that the practice of dry brushing may boost our immune system. “The lymphatic system does not have a ‘pump’ of its own, meaning it only gets working when we start moving our body or when it is stimulated manually by dry brushing or light massage,” Bolvary explains.
She adds that different brushes can have a different effect on the body. Dry brushes made with boar hair bristles are ideal for daily use and exfoliation. Dry brushes with ionic copper bristles carry the added benefit of sweeping your body in negative ions, which is known for antiviral and antibacterial properties in traditional medicine. It also may bring us full body-mind refreshment as an added self-care benefit.
“The brisk rhythmic motion creates a sensory reset that I find both grounding and energizing,” she adds. “Helping to sharpen mental alertness and brighten my mood.” Pro-tip: Sprinkle an essential oil blend to your dry brush to further wake up your senses.
My Experience with Dry Body Brushing
I’ve used a dry body brush during episodic health kicks previously, but rarely consistently. What I’ve most noticed since making it (at least) a four-times-a-week thing is that my skin is infinitely less lackluster. It’s an excellent way to quickly slough off the dead skin cells that form a grey veil over what was previously an okay summer tan, and it’s certainly a good way to wake yourself up in the morning.
I have found that combining it with a “contrast” shower–i.e. turning the temperature hot, then cold, then hot, then cold–makes me feel extremely energized, particularly after a vigorous workout. You also don’t really need to commit to doing five minutes to reap the benefits–give it three minutes and you’ll feel fantastic as you start your day. It’s worth noting that–as hard as I willed it–dry brushing won’t stimulate lymphatic drainage enough to cure a hangover. Which is deeply sad.
Newbies to the practice should know that once you’ve dry brushed, you’ll likely experience an itchy, tingling sensation, along with some possible redness, which soon settles. This feeling quickly becomes less prominent with regular use, but it’s actually a sign that your circulation is revved up and blood is en route to the surface of the skin.
Dry body brushing is a really easy–and affordable–ritual to commit to, which is why it gets a yes from me. You can’t always see the many benefits it has on the body, but you can often feel them. I have personally noticed a more even skin tone, slightly lighter legs (not yet as streamlined as Paltrow’s unfortunately) and more morning vitality. I also firmly believe that taking a few intentional minutes to do something positive for your well-being each day is underrated. Next up… time to crack body moisturizing. A look at the dry brushes we’d recommend, below.
Best With Copper Bristles: HigherDose Supercharge Copper Body Brush
- Why We Love It: A pick from Bolvary, this body brush is made with a mix of copper and natural horse hair bristles that strike the perfect balance between an extremely effective and gentle exfoliation. After a few uses, you’ll see your skin look—and feel—so much smoother. And as an added bonus, the copper bristles are known to sweep your body in negative ions to stimulate your lymphatic system, and give you antibacterial and antiviral benefits.
- Editor’s Experience: “I have never really gotten into dry brushing (I’m admittedly very lazy and not too keen on adding another step into any of my routines). But I heard such great things about this specific dry brush, I decided to give it a try—and I’m a converted believer. This brush feels so luxe and gentle, I actually like rubbing it all over my skin. And after consistent use, I do notice my skin feels so much smoother and looks more radiant. This is especially important in the summer, when I’m layering so much sunscreen and bug repellent on my body, it’s nice to have something that effectively sloughs away any debris and product buildup. As for the TCM benefits, the jury is still out on that one. But I’m willing to keep trying to see.” —Audrey Noble, contributor
- Bristle Material: Copper and natural horsehair
- Handle Size: 13 x 8 x 4 cm.
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