Dry, Itchy Skin? Try Dry Brushing

Is your skin rough and flaky even though you have tried all the lotions and oils? If the cold weather is making you itch, you may want to try dry skin brushing.

Dry brushing is a gentle treatment that not only removes dull, rough skin but also stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage. It helps the body detoxify by removing excess dead cells that make our skin feel rough and dry.

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing

Dry brushing is thought to have even more benefits than just softer skin. Other benefits that are touted from dry brushing are:

Improves Blood Circulation

If you've noticed that your skin is red after dry brushing, it's not just a result of irritation, and it actually isn't a cause for concern. The redness, or occasionally itchy skin after dry brushing, which may be just a bit of inflammation, is the result of increased circulation in the areas you've been dry brushing. Any itching after dry brushing happens because your body is simply pushing more blood to those areas.

Improves Lymphatic Drainage

All blood carries lymph fluid, which filters through the lymph nodes. Dry brushing speeds up the rate of blood pumping, which helps get the lymph through the body, therefore removing toxins and pathogens more quickly.

Wakes You Up

Dry brushing helps to maintain alertness during the day and enhance sleep at night (so may be best to do this in morning).

Steps to Body Brushing

The best dry brush for skin is a soft one with natural bristles, so make sure to start there. Choose a natural bristle flat facial brush for dry brushing your face and avoid synthetic bristles, as they can be too hard on the skin.

1. Start with completely dry skin, and pass over each area two or three times. Always use the best brush for dry brushing toward the heart to encourage proper blood and lymph drainage.
2. Begin with the soles of your feet; use smooth, gentle strokes, moving from the toes to the heel.
3. Carry on up the legs with long, upward strokes. Start on the inner calf and thigh, then move to the outer leg.
4. Continue brush strokes over the buttocks and lower back.
5. On the arms, start at your fingertips and continue to your armpit. (You may want to do an extra pass or two over the dry, often tough, knees and elbows.)
6. Over your abdomen, work in gentle clockwise circles.
7. Brush your back by starting at the nape of your neck and brush downward - this is where a long-handled brush comes in handy.
8. Continue over the shoulders as far down your back as you can reach.
9. Lastly, start just under the earlobes and brush down your neck to the front upper-chest area.
10. After body brushing, shower or bathe to rinse away all those loosened skin cells. Gently towel dry, then smooth on a nourishing vegetable oil such as almond or jojoba.

How often? Twice or thrice weekly is enough to begin with; you can go every day if your skin allows it. Do this for about 3 to 5 minutes, using whatever pressure is comfortable. A slight reddening is acceptable, but your skin shouldn’t feel raw or bruised.

Dry Brushing for Sensitive Skin

For those with sensitive skin, dry brushing may seem like a big no-no, but you can still do it, you just need a softer brush and light touch. Choose one with natural extra-soft bristles, apply very gentle pressure, use short, gentle strokes and begin with two or three strokes a couple times a week. Pay attention to your skin’s reactions and don’t dry brush over any open wounds or irritated areas.

Dry Brushing for Crepey and Loose Skin

The truth: Dry brushing won’t permanently firm your skin, but it can help make loose, crepey skin appear temporarily tighter and smoother thanks to exfoliation and improved circulation. To improve loose skin long term, you need to support collagen production, too. We’re here to help you do that!

Dry Brushing vs Wet Brushing

There’s a clue in the name. Dry brushing is done on dry skin, before your shower. The dry bristles have better grip and can lift off dead skin cells more easily. It also stimulates blood circulation a little bit. With wet brushing, you’re using the exact same technique in the shower, usually with some kind of cleanser. It’s more of a gentle exfoliation that can be used every day. Some people prefer dry brushing in the morning to help wake up their skin and circulate their blood, and do wet brushing at night for a more gentle cleansing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dry brushing help crepey skin?

Crepey skin is the thin, wrinkled appearance of skin as we get older or due to excessive sun exposure. Dry brushing may help support the look of crepey skin by sloughing off dead cells and boosting circulation to the area, which can leave skin looking a little smoother and brighter. It won’t rebuild your lost collagen, or erase existing deep wrinkles. It’s more like maintenance than a correction. If you’d like a regimen for crepey skin, we can discuss topical creams and supplements that boost collagen for you.

Is dry brushing good for sensitive skin?

Yes, those with sensitive skin can still dry brush, you just need a softer brush and a light touch. Choose one with natural extra-soft bristles, apply very gentle pressure, and use short, gentle strokes. Begin with two or three strokes a couple of times a week. Pay attention to how your skin reacts, and do not dry brush over any open wounds or irritated areas.

How does dry brushing improve blood circulation in skin?

Dry brushing stimulates circulation in the areas you pass over. If your skin looks red afterward, that is not just irritation and it isn't a cause for concern. The redness, or occasionally a bit of itching, is the result of increased circulation where you have been brushing. Any itching happens because your body is simply pushing more blood to those areas. Always brush toward the heart to encourage proper blood flow.

How often should you dry brush your skin per week?

Twice or thrice weekly is enough to begin with, and you can go every day if your skin allows it. Each session should last about 3 to 5 minutes, using whatever pressure feels comfortable. A slight reddening is acceptable, but your skin shouldn't feel raw or bruised. If you have sensitive skin, start with just two or three strokes a couple of times a week and watch how your skin reacts.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.