I love dry body brushing and really notice a change in the appearance and texture of my skin afterwards. Other notable benefits of dry body brushing include:  

1) Softer skin and fewer ingrown hairs

Body brushing helps to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and supporting skin cell turnover to reveal fresh and smooth skin.

2) Improved blood flow and circulation

Body brushing temporarily dilates your blood vessels, which allows more oxygen and nutrient blood to reach your skin cells. 

3) Lymphatic drainage

Body brushing promotes lymphatic drainage which supports a healthy immune system. The lymphatic system is part of your immune system and contains lymph, a fluid that carries immune cells as well as metabolic wastes and byproducts of toxins we are exposed to daily. It’s like our septic tank or body’s sewage system.

4) Increased energy

Running a dry brush along your skin can feel invigorating and provide a natural boost of energy. It’s a great practice to include in your morning routine!

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Body brushing is a modern day practice that’s based on the ancient technique of gliding a natural or synthetic bristle brush along the skin. It’s been used for centuries in many cultures as a way to remove dead skin, promote detoxification, and improve overall skin health. Various forms of body brushing have long been a part of Ayurveda (traditional medicine of India) as well as traditional Greek, Scandinavian, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian self-care rituals.

SELECTING A BODY BRUSH

Made with wood and natural or synthetic bristles, a body brush comes in different shapes and styles, ranging from oval (below) to round with massaging nodes (below), or affixed to a short handle or long handle which assists in getting to hard to reach places such as the upper back.

DRY BODY BRUSHING TECHNIQUE

You can either use a body brush on dry skin directly or integrate herbs or essential oils that help to boost circulation and stimulate lymphatic drainage. This is a lovely way to support your lymphatics and get in a bit of aromatherapy! 

Basic technique

Starting with the tops of your feet, gently brush with small strokes upwards along your body (legs, buttocks) towards the groin area. Then gently brush upwards along your arms, lower back, abdominal region towards your heart. Finally, brush downwards along your neck, upper back, and shoulders towards your heart. 

Full technique (Source: Kelly Sturm, DPT)

Starting in the region on the lower right side of your belly button, gently brush with small strokes downwards toward the groin area. From the back of the body, sweep the brush towards the front towards the groin area. Repeat on the left side.

Lower body (below belly button: starting at the front of the right knee, gently brush upwards towards the groin area. Complete the same strokes on the outer, inner, and back sides of the right left, focusing on the area between the groin and knee. Starting with the right foot, gently brush with small strokes upwards the ankle and then towards the right knee, making sure to brush all sides including back of the knee. Starting at the front of the right knee, gently brush upwards towards the groin area. Complete the same strokes on the outer, inner, and back sides of the right left, focusing on the area between the groin and knee. Repeat sequence on the left side. 

Upper body (above belly button): starting on the right side gently brush upwards towards the right armpit, making sure to brush the side and back of the body as well. Gently brush across the chest area towards the right armpit. Repeat on the left side, gently brush upwards and across towards the left armpit.

Starting at the elbow region of the right arm, gently brush upwards towards the right armpit, making sure to brush all sides of the upper right arm. Then starting at the top of the right hand, at the fingertips, gently brush upwards towards the elbow, making sure to brush all sides of the lower right arm. Repeat starting at the elbow region of the right arm, gently brush upwards towards the right armpit, making sure to brush all sides of the upper right arm. Gently brush across the chest area towards the right armpit. Repeat this sequence on the left arm and chest area. 

 After brushing, take a shower or bath to help wash away dead skin cells.

After showering or bathing, replenish the skin's moisture with body oil (e.g. Calm Body Oil) or cream.

After several uses, wash your brush with a mild soap cleanser and hang in a well-ventilated area to dry.

 When first using this brush, use long & gentle strokes and gradually increase pressure as your skin begins to adjust. Body brushing is not recommended for those with very sensitive skin, sunburns, burns, cuts, lesions, wounds, or conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or cystic acne.