A lot of women would agree with the fact that men have it easier since they don’t have to pay so much attention to their face and body skin and it’ll still look great, in most cases. Contrary to this, being a woman means having hormones that mess up with both our facial and body skin on a monthly basis. In addition, our skin is more sensitive to begin with! And on top of that, media fools everyone into thinking that women should have angelic-like skin, which explains why there are so many products targeted at us. And no, I am not going to convince you to ditch your quest for glowing skin… It’s far too late for that (chuckles). But it would really be good to try and minimize the number of products we use by finding the most efficient ones and sticking to them. That being said, the new trend of body brushing might help you succeed in using fewer products and see more results when it comes to achieving smooth body skin.
What is Body Brushing?
Dry body brushing is a method of combining exfoliation and massage that involves the use of a dry body brush. This exfoliating massage is done by moving the dry brush all over your body in slow circular motions. This method is a holy grail for refreshing the look of your skin as the firm bristles of the body brush can give your skin the needed exfoliation while the pressure you put when massaging helps to stimulate blood circulation. This acts as the perfect lymphatic drainage which in turn will eliminate all the toxins accumulated in your body. Usually, these brushes are made of natural bristles while the base is made of genuine wood, beechwood in particular. The handles of these brushes are usually long, so you could easily scrub the hard to reach areas – like your back.
Benefits of Dry Brushing
Except for removing toxins, promoting normal lymph flow and exfoliating the skin, there are other benefits of dry brushing.
Smaller & Cleaner Pores – Since exfoliation is the ideal way to remove oil, dirt and residue, this will leave your pores clearer while reducing their size. In other words, dry brushing can do the magic of making your pores less noticeable and your skin smoother and shinier which is every woman’s dream.
Reduces Cellulite – If you ask the regular practitioners of this method does body brushing get rid of cellulite, the answer would be yes. Regular dry brushing can certainly reduce your cellulite, just like anti-cellulite creams. In other words, this method can reduce the cellulite but only on the upper skin layer. If you would like to get rid of it permanently, you would need to put in a lot more effort.
How to Body Brush for Cellulite?
Dry brushing is also used to fight cellulite. However, in order to get rid of it, you will need to do the right motions in the right direction. That way, the results will come faster.
How Do You Dry Brush Your Body?
The first step towards having a successful dry brushing session is having a clean and completely dry skin. Once done, take your body scrub brush and start scrubbing starting from your ankles. Move the brush over your skin in long and circular motions that go in the direction of your heart.
There really is no exact time when dry brushing should be done. You can do it anytime of the day, but you must follow the rule of doing it right before you shower. Once you are done brushing, take a shower and feed your skin with a good moisturiser. At first, your skin may look extremely dry, so applying moisturiser several times a day might help.
How Often Should You Body Brush?
Since dry brushing can leave your skin feeling a little raw (mainly in the beginning), it is recommended to practice it once or twice a week. Once done, make sure you completely clean the brush from the dead skin accumulated in between the bristles. You can clean it with a gentle baby shampoo or with a special dry brush solution.
Additional Useful Information
Aside from moisturising your skin on a daily basis, using a sunscreen is a must, especially when exposed to the sun. This is because dry brushing can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to apply SPF 50 before going out.
If you happen to be one of those people who have sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend skipping this beauty hack. Although some people find it okay to practice dry brushing once every couple of weeks, dermatologists do not recommend it. This goes especially for those with eczema, psoriasis or some other skin conditions. The reason for this is simple. No matter how soft or aggressive the brushing is, your skin will get irritated and damaged. Now, if you still want to do something as to achieve healthier and smoother skin, you can always try the detox bath method which is great for relaxing your body and cleansing it from all the toxins and dirt.
