How to Dry Skin Brush

Learn how to dry skin brush to get beautiful skin |

I started to dry brush when I read on the internet that it removes toxins from your skin (the body's largest organ) and therefore helps to prevent breakouts. Taking five minutes every night to brush my skin before showering can't hurt, right? So that's what I did. Now, dry skin brushing is part of my daily routine and I love it!

I'm not sure if dry skin brushing actually removes any toxins from your skin, but I do know that it helps to improve circulation in your lymphatic system. It's excellent for exfoliating your skin and making it nice and soft. Some people also say long-term dry skin brushing firms up skin and reduces cellulite. However, I have yet to witness those last two claims.

What kind of brush do you need?

To dry skin brush, all you need is a natural bristle bath brush (synthetic fibers can cause small scratches on the surface of your skin). Most brushes come in either short or long handles. I prefer the long-handled brushes with a detachable head. The detachable brushes are more ergonomic for brushing your limbs, but the long handles make it easier to brush the back, buttocks, and other hard to reach places.

My dry skin brush

There are some brushes labeled as "detox" brushes, but don't be fooled. These can cost upwards of $20, but all you need is a simple $4 brush. Natural bristle brushes usually lose their stiffness after a few months of use and must be replaced.

Whatever kind of brush you get, you just have to make sure the brush has stiff, yet flexible bristles. You don't want a brush that's very soft, otherwise you would get zero exfoliating effects. You don't want the bristles to be too stiff either, but it's better to err on the side of being too stiff because the bristles will soften with use.

Before you buy a brush, tug on the bristles a bit to see if they come out easily. If they do, find yourself a better quality brush. If you don't buy a brush with sturdily rooted bristles, the hairs will fall out during dry brushing sessions, rendering the brush less effective.

Dry skin brushing technique

To dry skin brush, gently brush your skin starting from your outer limbs, moving towards the heart. Some people say you should dry brush in long, sweeping motions, but I like to brush in small counter-clockwise circles. There are many different detailed dry brushing techniques you can look up, but for me, all I do is brush towards my heart in small circles and it works great.

When you first start brushing, be extra gentle until your skin (which may turn slightly red) can handle more pressure. I start by brushing the bottom of my feet, then the top, my lower leg, then upper leg, hands, and then arms. I brush my stomach in a clockwise motion, then breasts, neck area, and shoulders. I finish by brushing my buttocks and back and follow up with a nice shower. Note: As the name implies, make sure you dry brush on dry skin!

Two places you should pay special attention to is the area under your chin and the area under your upper arm. Supposedly, when you focus on brushing these parts of your body, you will get a better lymphatic cleanse. It's also best to dry brush standing in the shower since you'll be shedding a lot of dead skin cells. Make sure you wash your brush and hang it out to dry at least once a week to keep it clean.

It's better to dry skin brush in the morning because it invigorates you and gives you a boost of energy. I usually dry brush before work, but it depends on how much time I have. There is no right or wrong time to dry brush, so whenever you can do it will be fine.

Dry skin brushing is really great for exfoliation. I used to have keratosis pilaris (tiny bumps like chicken skin) on my calves and the back of my upper arms, but now my skin is smooth and soft. I don't get any more ingrown hairs on my legs either, even after shaving or waxing. My overall body skin also looks very even and bright.

Sadly, I don't think dry skin brushing does anything for acne. However, I am still glad I discovered it because it makes my skin look and feel a lot better. If you want smooth and healthy looking body skin, definitely give dry skin brushing a try!

Last updated: September 20, 2012

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