How to Dry Brush

Dry brushing is the practice of brushing dry skin with a long-handled brush. This process will exfoliate the skin, helping to reduce the number of unwanted dead cells on the skin. However, you can cause skin irritation or infection if you brush too often or too vigorously. You need to know the facts of dry brushing and the most appropriate methods before you start doing it.

Table of Contents

Prepare for dry brushing

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Know what will happen. Dry brushing, like many other wellness trends, is often promised many health benefits; However, not all rumors have a scientific basis. You should know about the truth of this method so that you don’t do too much or don’t need it.

Although the blood-stimulating effect of dry brushing is controversial, it actually exfoliates the skin. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells; However, you don’t need to exfoliate regularly if you’re under 30. Your skin is young and has the ability to automatically clear dead skin. By the time you reach your 30s, dead skin probably won’t come off automatically, and dry brushing will help. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Dry brushing can affect cellulite (uneven fat accumulation under the skin that makes the skin rough, also known as cellulite) but does not remove it, or even reduce it. ^{[2] X Research Source} Dry brushing will temporarily reduce skin protrusions, so dry brushing before going to the beach is a great way to help you look better and feel better, but The effect will only last for 24 hours. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Many health and beauty websites recommend dry brushing twice a day, but this can be harmful. The bristles can cause tiny scratches on the skin if you brush too hard or too often. These scratches can easily become infected. In addition, brushing dead skin more than once a week breaks down the skin’s protective barrier, causing dryness and irritation. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Dry brushing really has an impact on the condition of the skin. People with eczema or chronic skin disease should avoid dry brushing, as they are more prone to these complications; however, if you have keratosis pilaris (an inflammatory skin disease with red, raised bumps) then dry brushing can help remove the dead skin cells that cause the nodules. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Begin the dry brushing routine

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Stand on a tiled surface. Before you start dry brushing, you should stand on a tiled surface. Most people like to dry brush their skin in the shower. Dead skin flakes will fall off the body during brushing, and you need to do it in a place that’s easy to clean. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Start with the feet and work your way up to the feet. Use a long-handled brush to brush these areas. The dry brushing process will start from the bottom and move up. Bottom-up brushing is thought to help increase drainage to the lymph nodes and increase blood flow to the heart. This can help eliminate toxins in the body and improve blood circulation.

Use long, smooth brushing movements. Brush back, each stroke moving towards the heart. ^{[12] X Research Source}
If you find it difficult to balance, rest one foot on a footstool or on the edge of the tub. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Pay attention to areas of thick skin, such as the ankles and soles of the feet. You need to brush these areas several times to make sure to remove dead skin. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Move to the arms, then to the upper body. Continue brushing with a long-handled brush. Move up to the arms after brushing the legs. Remember to do the same as above, each time brushing towards the heart.

Start at the hands and move towards the shoulders. As above, use long and smooth brushing movements. ^{[15] X Research Source}
Pay special attention to areas of thick skin, such as elbows. Make sure the dead skin is peeled off. ^{[16] X Research Source}
Move to the back. This skin area is a bit difficult to comb because there are some hard-to-reach places. Make sure your brush has a handle long enough to reach the middle of your back and other hard-to-reach areas. Move from the buttocks to the shoulder blades. ^{[17] X Research Source}
Finally, move up to your upper body and sides. Brush up the ribcage, towards the heart. With the sides, you’ll brush from the hips up to the armpits. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Brush in sensitive areas. When switching to sensitive skin areas, you need to use a soft bristle brush to brush.

Brush your face, using shorter and gentler brushing strokes. Move from forehead to neck. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Breasts and nipples also need to be brushed with a softer brush to avoid irritating sensitive areas. ^{[20] X Research Source}
If you want to brush your whole body again, you should brush with a soft brush to avoid irritation. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Follow the steps after dry brushing

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Shower after dry brushing. Showering after dry brushing is a good idea, even if you don’t dry brush your skin in the morning. Any remaining dead skin will be washed away in the shower.

Some people recommend alternating hot and cold showers to increase blood circulation, but this is not necessary. You can take a hot shower as usual if you like. ^{[22] X Research Source}
Pat dry instead of rubbing the skin with a towel to dry. Skin may be more sensitive after dry brushing, and you need to avoid skin irritation and infections. ^{[23] X Research Sources}
Apply natural oils to the skin to replace the oil lost during brushing and bathing. Rosehip oil and coconut oil are good options. ^{[24] X Research Source}

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Clean the brushing area and brush after dry brushing. After the brushing process is complete, you need to clean the brushing area and brushing tools.

If you dry-brush in the bathroom, cleaning will be easy because dead skin can float down the drain. On other tiled surfaces, you will need to sweep and remove dead skin.
Keep the brush dry. Do not hang in the bath, as the brush will get wet and possibly moldy. You need to keep the brush away from standing water. ^{[25] X Research Sources}
You need to wash the brush from time to time. Use a small amount of shampoo or liquid soap to clean the bristles and dry as much as possible. Hang the brush in a safe place to dry, avoiding splashes of water. ^{[26] X Research Sources}

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Monitor dry brushing time. Don’t forget that dry brushing can cause skin problems if done too often. You should mark on a calendar or phone the date of dry brushing and wait at least two weeks before brushing again. Many advocate brushing once or twice a day, but this increases the risk of skin infection and inflammation. ^{[27] X Research Source}

Advice

You don’t have to brush hard. Gentle exfoliation is better than forceful.
Brush twice for problem areas, once with a long-handled brush, once again with a softer, unhandled brush. Feet and elbows are particularly susceptible to dryness and cracking.

Warning

Do not brush over broken, irritated, bruised or abnormal skin. You need to wait until the skin infection clears before continuing with dry brushing.

Things you need

Natural bristle brush with wooden handle

Steps