Here’s What You Need To Know About Dry Brushing

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For most of us, a morning shower is enough of a daily time commitment to maintain in the name of skin hygiene and health. But if super-smooth skin is your ultimate beauty goal, it might be time to test out dry brushing.

We won’t lie — it seems like the least spa-like of all spa treatments. But hey, don’t knock it ’til you try it, right?

First, you need to purchase a long-handled brush with firm, natural bristles. Then, before you turn the water on in your shower, stand in the tub (or stall) and begin brushing your naked body, starting at your feet and working all the way up. Brush in long, gentle strokes, always flowing toward your heart. Be careful not to brush too hard, over-brush the same areas of skin or agitate already sensitive skin with extensive brushing. The toe-to-head dry brushing process will likely take you anywhere from five to 10 minutes, and then you can resume your normal showering routine, washing away a lot of the unwanted, dead skin cells you just removed from your body. (Gross, we know).

You’ll likely want to up your post-cleansing moisturizer game when you first try dry brushing because your skin won’t be used to this kind of exfoliation. Most experts recommend dry brushing no more than two to three times per week, but that’s still plenty of time to leave your skin raw and craving hydration — especially after a hot shower. Some people new to dry brushing have even reported dramatic skin peeling akin to what happens after you get a brutal sunburn, so just be prepared for that possibility in the first few weeks.

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A lot of natural beauty gurus believe that this not-so-glamorous skin treatment can do far more than soften your skin. Because the brush bristles end up gently massaging your skin, it’s believed that the compression moving toward the heart helps to move lymphatic fluid in the body toward lymph nodes, which can help with more efficient elimination. (Fun fact: a healthier lymphatic system also makes for a healthier digestive system). Additionally, dry brushing can also help increase blood circulation, which allows oxygen to reach various parts of the body faster. Some even say that dry brushing can help smooth cellulite because it’s removing toxins from connective tissue.

While there is little-to-no empirical evidence to support the ideas that dry brushing can aide the lymphatic system, improve digestion and banish that annoying puckering on your thighs, there are plenty of rave reviews out there that could convince you to give it a try anyway. And as long as you don’t brush too hard and too often, there’s very little risk involved. Worst comes to worst, you’ll walk away with freshly exfoliated skin, which was the main goal in the first place, right?