Ever tried dry body brushing? Here are some promising benefits

Taking care of just your facial skin isn’t enough. Your body’s skin demands some TLC too. If you’ve been applying body oils and lotions after you hop out of the shower, your skin may be happier with you. But, body creams might only help to work on the appearance of your skin on the outside. Skin problems lie much deeper than the reach of your favorite lotion.

Problems like strawberry skin, bumps, textured skin, dry and flaky skin are common when it comes to your body’s skincare. These problems may heighten with time if you don’t shower love to your body’s skin just as you do to your face.

If dimpled skin, ingrown hair and pesky red bumps are not your thing, we have you covered. A body brush can be the best investment you can make to up your skincare game. How? It has so many benefits that you might feel guilty for not starting on it earlier. Well, that’s not just us, the dermatologists agree to this too.

Dr Vidushi Jain, Dermatologist and Medical Head at Dermalinks, spoke to HealthShots about the raving benefits of dry body brushing.

“Dry brushing is a much talked about simple method to improve the skin brightening and glow. A simple 5-10 minutes procedure done before bathing, it helps in improved circulation and lymphatic drainage. Not just this, it can exfoliate the skin. In the long run, dry body brushing can help with cellulite reduction.” says Jain.

What is a dry body brush?

After hearing all the praises about body brushing, don’t try to find just any brush and start scrubbing your body off with it. A dry body brush has bristles that are not abrasive and soft on your skin. Try to find your pick from a variety of body brushes available in the market. Look for a body brush with firm and natural bristles.

How to do dry body brushing?

Pretty much exactly what it sounds like, dry brushing is done on dry skin. Here’s a step by step procedure to do it.

1. Take a body brush and start brushing yourself in an upward motion.
2. Starting from your feet, apply a good pressure to the brush as you stroke upwards.
3. Try to do quick flicks with the brush rather than long strokes. Starting from feet, go towards your knees covering all your lymph nodes.
4. Flick the brush gently from stomach to chest and from arms to shoulders.
5. Don’t forget to use the body brush in upward motions from your chest towards your neck.
6. Once done brushing your body, wait for 10 minutes.
7. Hop into the shower if doing this process in the day time.
8. Sleep right away if you like to body brush during the night.
   

   What are the benefits of dry body brushing?

1. Removes skin dimples and cellulite

Over a period of time, dry body brushing is known to erase dimples on your thighs and bums. It can tone any wobbly and hanging parts of your body if repeated daily. Dry body brushing is known for diminishing cellulite. This skincare step has a plumping effect on Your body which can reduce the appearance of cellulite. Isn’t it amazing?

2. Improves blood circulation

Short flicks with a body brush can help improve your blood circulation. Gentle body brushing gets the nutrient rich freshly oxygenated blood to the skin’s surface, which can make your skin healthy and bright. It can improve your skin tone and elasticity too.

3. Gets rid of strawberry skin and ingrown hair

Have you noticed ingrown hair and red spotted skin like a strawberry on your legs? This is a common problem to experience if you opt for waxing or shaving for hair removal. Well ladies! Dry body brushing can help you get rid of that textured skin and red bumps by activating your lymphatic system. It can even remove the thin skin cells over an ingrown hair that is coiled inside.

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4. Exfoliates your skin

While there are a number of body scrubs that can help to slough away dead skin. But, it can be skin-ravaging for someone with sensitive skin. Dry body brushing can help exfoliate your skin gently without being abrasive. Regular exfoliation is an excellent step to prime your skin for better absorption of nutrients from your body oils and lotions.

5. Evens out bumpy skin

Dry body brushing can contribute to the even distribution of fat deposits under your skin. If done with care, this process is proven to make your body feel firm and feather-smooth all day long.

6. Strengthens immunity

Dry body brushing may help to stimulate your lymphatic drainage. This way you can be physically assisting your body in removing pathogens. This process in turn, helps strengthen your immune system and makes you less susceptible to illness.

7. Uplifts your energy levels

It is a well established fact that dry body brushing improves your blood circulation. Applying good pressure to the brush as you stroke can give your skin and body that comforting feeling of a massage. It gives your mind and body a much needed boost and prepares your body for a power-packed day. You can also swap this procedure to PM for a good night sleep.

However, dry body brushing can be a bad idea if not done correctly. Dr Vidushi Jain also advises on the don’ts of body brushing.

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What not to do when dry body brushing?

1. This process should be done not more than twice a week .
2. Dry body brushing should be done with caution for those with sensitive skin, open wounds.
3. It is not advised for you if you’re already suffering from psoriasis, eczema or other such skin conditions.
4. Do not put too much pressure as it can exacerbate your skin problems.