“Dry brushing stimulates collagen production, which helps thicken the skin and lessen the appearance of fat cells,” explains celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas.
Dry skin brushing tightens and tones your skin by increasing the flow of blood to your skin's outer layers. This increased circulation can also help lessen the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite is toxic matter that accumulates in your body's fat cells' as they are unable to be eliminated.
The mechanical action of dry brushing is excellent for exfoliating rough, dry skin, she says. “Dry brushing unclogs pores in the exfoliation process. It also helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage,” says Dr. Khetarpal.
Let's make one thing clear: Dry brushing isn't safe for every skin type. If you have rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, dry brushing your face can aggravate your skin and probably do more harm than good. In fact, dry brushing can irritate anyone's skin if overdone.
“Dry brushing also stimulates circulation, which oxygenates the skin,” Vargas says. “It's great for reducing puffiness, improving elasticity, lifting and toning, and making the skin glow all over.” Does that not sound like the healthiest way to exfoliate, ever?
While it doesn't reduce cellulite or redistribute fat cells more evenly, dry brushing can help: exfoliate your skin, removing dry and dead skin cells. stimulate circulation. make you feel more relaxed or invigorated.
Dermatologists and Ayurvedists alike agree that when performed correctly, regular dry brushing (two to three times per week) can help improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, and visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Dr. Engelman suggests dry brushing every day to see results. She recommends dry brushing to her patients, but cautions that it's possible to over-exfoliate if you're using extreme pressure on sensitive skin. Here's your reminder to always brush gently.
Dry brushing should feel like a massage on your skin — not painful scraping. If your dry brush method is leaving painful marks, use a gentler touch. You should only dry brush twice a week at the most!
That's why many people recommend using dry brushing to help eliminate cellulite and improve the appearance of fatty tissue beneath the skins surface. The massage will also make skin more elastic, which helps clear away scar tissue (dry brushing is especially effective in clearing away acne scars).
The theory behind brushing toward the heart is that by making long, sweeping strokes in the direction of the heart, you are working with the body's lymph flow. The lymphatic system, which helps to rid the body of toxins and waste, only travels in one direction, up toward the neck.
2. Take about three minutes to dry-brush your whole body. It's best done in the morning before bathing, naked on the bathmat. (Or whatever works for you.)
As a general rule of thumb, though, Downie recommends dry brushing no more than one to two times per week. And don't forget to wash your brush with baby shampoo at least twice a month to get rid of all of that dead skin buildup. If you have ultra-sensitive skin, try dry brushing once every couple of weeks.
Resistance and strength training exercises such as squats, planks, leg raises, deadlifts, and bicycle crunches help you create a defined belly area. Tighten your belly skin with massages and scrubs. Regularly massage the skin on your stomach with oils that promote the formation of new collagen in your body.
How often to dry brush: Dry skin brushing effectively opens up the pores on your skin. This is something you can — and should — be doing daily, even twice a day. Your skin should be dry, so the ideal time is in the shower before you turn on the water.
Dry brush the side of the abdominal area, moving toward the pelvic area from the oblique in a downward motion. When working on the abdomen itself, you want to work in a clockwise circular motion, encouraging the flow of digestion.
Here's a recommended dry-brushing technique from Natural Health Techniques: Hold the brush in your left armpit with your right hand and rotate it counter clockwise seven times, then clockwise seven times. Repeat on your right armpit with your left hand.
Dry brushing should not hurt, so ease up on the amount of pressure you use with the brush. Gentle massage is always best.” Also, avoid dry brushing during winter months, says Dr.
Second, is that dry brushing can actually help soften those fat deposits under the skin and help distribute them more evenly, which in turn reduces the appearance. For stretch marks, it's similar. The brushing helps the skin produce more collagen and helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
“The morning is the best time for dry brushing because it does invigorate and stimulate your system,” says Harzold. “It can be done at night, but not too late, and most effectively before a shower and not after.”
Remember that it's possible to overdo it with dry brushing, and you should only dry brush your face when it's completely clean. Always follow dry brushing with a moisturizer, and don't expect it to be a miracle cure or a replacement for medical treatment.
Spend around 5-10 minutes to dry brush the whole body and make sure you're applying only light pressure. This will ensure you're not damaging the skin but are encouraging gentle exfoliation.
Tips for Dry Brushing
The whole process should take you no more than five minutes, so don't feel you have to linger. When dry brushing the body, work upward or toward the heart. Don't pass over the same area with your brush more than twice. Doing so can cause irritation.