It’s called Dry Brushing ... and it’s a game changer.
Dry brushing not only gets rid of dead skin cells better {water - as is used in traditional exfoliation, can cause skin to plump - making it harder to get rid of as many dead skin cells as dry brushing}, but also aids in lymphatic drainage and stimulates circulation to help detoxify the entire body + can even reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Usually when you exfoliate, you would use a substantial amount of pressure to ‘scrub’ off the dead skin cells, which can sometimes irritate and dry out the skin. But dry brushing uses only a very light + calming amount of pressure … and has the ability to aid in waking up the lymph system which works to rid the body of excess fluid, bacteria + cell waste.
But there is a certain way to do it right.
- Dry brushing can be done 1-2 times per day, but always right before a bath and/or shower
- Your brush should ideally be a long-handled brush with natural bristles {we love vegetable bristle brushes - synthetic bristles should be avoided as they can scratch + irritate the skin} Check out Katie’s favorite dry brush of all time here.
- Make sure your skin is completely dry
- Using your long-handled brush, make soft sweeping strokes up your body, towards your heart - if your skin turns red, apply less pressure.
Your lymphatic system responds to light, flowing pressure.
Pressure + Direction: during dry brushing is very important, as your lymphatic system flows through your body towards your heart: No rubbing, scrubbing, or back + forth motions - the way you might be used to with traditional wet exfoliation
Direction: brush arms up towards the shoulders; brush back up towards the shoulders; brush up the chest - starting around the belly button, up the center of the chest + around the breast and up under the arms; brush legs up from the feet.
Just as important as the pressure + direction of your dry brushing, how you care for your skin immediately after you are finished is vital, too! - MOISTURIZE! I love Jojoba Oil, but any kind you personally love will work {almond oil, coconut oil, etc.}! Apply a liberal amount of oil right after you’re done dry brushing, before you get into the shower. Other ideas:
Happy Brushing!
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DR. KELLY BROGAN ~ ENTREPRENEUR. ADVOCATE. PIONEER.
September 18, 2017
[…] the capacity to make time should we choose to. I made all sorts of excuses for why I couldn’t dry-brush in the morning, for example. I don’t have time, that extra minute is better spent meditating or […]