You already know to brush your hair and obviously, you know to brush your teeth, but have you ever considered brushing your skin? Yes, brushing your skin - a wellness routine that's just as important, but usually overlooked.
‘Dry Brushing’ might be a new term for some of you, but it's an ancient practice rooted in Ayurvedic medicine that's been gaining a lot of attention lately. The name pretty much sums up how it works, involving brushing your skin in a specific pattern with a dry brush, usually before showering. But why is the practice the new rage?
The benefit we like to focus on, and today's topic, is using dry brushing as a method for promoting lymphatic drainage. From health-conscious celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow to recognized institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, the world is starting to see the benefits of dry brushing. But what really does it mean to use a 'dry brush' for 'lymphatic drainage,' and how exactly does it impact your skin and your health?
Your Inner Flow: The Lymphatic System
To get a full understanding of dry brushing, let's start by going over the lymphatic system and its function in our bodies. To put it simply, the lymphatic system is a network of tissues, organs, vessels, and lymph nodes that work in harmony to keep your body healthy. Lymph, a clear fluid transported by this system, carries white blood cells to fight infections and filters out waste products from your body.
Your lymph system bears a lot of resemblance to your circulatory system, almost like a sibling. But, unlike your circulatory system, which has the heart to pump blood around your body, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a built-in pump. Instead, it relies on our movements and contractions of our muscles and joints to push fluid through the lymph vessels, which means the lymphatic system can sometimes use a helping hand.
So what's the best way to boost lymphatic drainage?
With dry brushing of course! As effective as a lymphatic drainage massage, which needs to be carried out by a certified massage therapist, dry brushing is a way to promote lymphatic drainage on your own.
Benefits of Dry Brushing
You know that feeling when you finally clean out your closet and get rid of your old clothes? That's the feeling you give your body when you dry brush. You're helping your lymphatic system rid itself of those toxins and start living its best life.
Again, this lymphatic boost is the main and most reported benefit of dry brushing. By brushing your skin in circular patterns that align with the flow of your lymphatic system, you're effectively giving it a manual nudge and making it easier for your body to rid itself of accumulated toxins. The lymphatic vessels located just underneath your skin benefit from this routine, helping to increase lymph flow and aid lymphatic drainage. But what are some of the other benefits of dry brushing?
Immune System
When it comes to improving your immune system, dry brushing definitely has a role to play. By assisting your body in removing waste and toxins - tasks primarily executed by our lymphatic system - you're boosting your body's ability to ward off diseases, strengthening your immune system.
Exfoliation
Skincare enthusiasts, especially those who struggle with dry skin, will be excited to know that dry brushing can serve as a natural exfoliator. Dry brushing helps shed those dead cells, revealing the fresh, rejuvenated skin beneath. Along with removing dead skin cells, the action of dry brushing is believed to promote the production of new cells, better equipping your skin to absorb nutrients.
Blood Circulation
For all our health-conscious readers, there's some good news for you too. Regular dry brushing can boost blood circulation, promoting the efficient delivery of oxygen-rich blood vessels to your body's cells and connective tissues. The circular motion exerted during the practice stimulates the nervous system and circulatory systems, fostering better blood flow.
Appearance of Cellulite
You may also find that the act of dry brushing works as a natural cellulite solution. While it's not the perfect fix for the booty dimples we have to learn to love, it's known to improve the appearance of cellulite temporarily. This is thanks to the increased blood circulation aiding the distribution of fat deposits across the skin.
Brush Basics: The Do's and Don'ts of Dry Brushing
To see these amazing benefits, it's important to make sure you're dry brushing correctly.
Start with a dry skin surface. We find it works best to dry brush right before you shower.
Next pick the right tool for the job: a natural bristle brush like the Frownies Body Brush. Our brush was created with this routine in mind featuring a bamboo wood handle, natural boar's hair bristles, and rubber nubs.
If you have sensitive skin or are considering dry brushing on your face, a softer brush will work great. Use firm, circular motions to brush your skin. Gentle pressure is key since harsh or intense brushing can damage your skin.
When you're ready to start the process, begin with your feet and move up your body, always brushing in the direction of your heart. This is essential since blood flow and lymphatic flow both move towards the heart. Similarly, when you start on your arms, begin at the hands and work upward. Repeat the process on your abdomen and back, but be careful not to brush too hard on sensitive areas.
Remember, your skin should be stimulated and invigorated but not irritated or overly red after brushing. If it hurts at any point, you should apply less pressure. Avoid dry brushing on open wounds, cuts, or abrasions as this can lead to infections. While dry brushing can invigorate your skin, it’s best to steer clear of any region that is inflamed, exceedingly sensitive, or suffering from a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema.
Keep in mind, a dry brushing session doesn't need to last forever. Just do a quick once over and get some of that extra self-care in!
After your dry brushing routine, hop in the shower to wash off the dead skin cells and any toxins you brought to the surface of your skin. Then, apply a moisturizer like Frownies' Natural Firming and Toning Cellulite Cream or Body Lotion to keep your skin smooth and well-hydrated.
Looking for more of a traditional, in-shower exfoliant? Our body brush can also be used in the bath or shower for cleansing with soap. The Natural bristles of our dry brush absorb water and splay, unlike synthetic bristles which can cause micro tears in the skin.
Remember, as with all body care routines, frequency matters. To experience the benefits of dry brushing, developing a routine is important. We suggest incorporating dry brushing into your routine around two to three times per week.
How Do I Clean My Dry Brush
The natural boar’s hair bristles of a Frownies Dry Brush can be soaked in warm water with shampoo or body wash for 10 minutes. Don’t soak the whole brush because it can warp or degrade the wood handle over time. Then let the brush air dry.
If you plan on using your Frownies Dry Brush in the bath or shower for cleansing with a body wash, also make sure it air dries completely between uses.
From Feet to Heart: Your Journey of Effective Dry Brushing
Our bodies, especially our lymphatic systems, already do so much for us. Why not do a little something to help? Alongside other healthy practices like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and the use of quality skincare products, incorporating dry brushing can multiply these positive effects. This simple addition to your routine, when combined with these other wellness habits, not only enhances the benefits of dry brushing but also provides our hard-working bodies with the extra boost they sometimes need.
Finding the best way to incorporate dry brushing into your daily routines can be personal; it may not feel right for everyone, and that's perfectly okay. Maybe dry brushing before a quick morning rinse works best for you or maybe it's before those everything showers when you're really in the mood to pamper. Either way, patience, and flexibility are key since the health benefits of dry brushing manifest most significantly over time and with consistent practice.
Remember to take your time, be gentle, and listen to your body. Certain areas are more sensitive than others and everyone's body is different, so adjust the pressure and do what feels right to you.
As your skincare partners, we at Frownies pride ourselves on providing you with real solutions and techniques to reach a healthier, happier you. And dry brushing, despite being a centuries-old practice, remains a highly effective method for modern-day wellness that we love to highlight. This timeless technique, when integrated into your daily routine, can significantly enhance skin health, promote lymphatic drainage, and contribute to overall vitality. Proving that some traditional methods withstand the test of time, and like us, only get better with age!