When you think about all things you can do to slow down the aging process, brushing your dry skin is probably the last thing that comes to your mind—if at all. Brushing your teeth is good for your health, but why in the world would you want to brush your skin?
Well, it turns out that people are turning to this treatment to both look and feel younger, and many of them are experiencing great results.
What is dry skin brushing?
Dry skin brushing is an alternative health treatment that has been around for hundreds of years. According to beauty technician Lisa Ariotti, the ancient Greeks, American Aboriginals, and Japanese all practiced brushing their dry skin to stay healthy.1
Although the Turks, Scandinavians, and Russians have also used dry skin brushing for centuries, the treatment was first prescribed medically by the Finnish doctor Paavo Aiorola more than 30 years ago. Aiorola recommended this “new” treatment for patients as a way to stimulate the organs and renew the skin.2
How does it work?
The idea with dry brushing is that it removes the dead cells on the top layer of the skin. This stimulates oil-secreting glands, which moisturizes the skin. But in addition to helping the skin, dry brushing is also used to stimulate the organs and blood flow in the body.
Dry brushing, however, isn’t as simple as just randomly rubbing your skin with a brush. The process involves brushing in a specific direction and using the right amount of pressure. To get the most out of your dry skin brushing routine, make sure to follow these tips:
- Use a soft natural-fiber brush such as a Tampico brush.
- Brush before you shower or bath, preferably in the morning.
- Starting at the bottom of your feet, brush your bare skin lightly but firmly in upward strokes towards your heart.
- Use less pressure on more sensitive areas and more pressure on firmer areas. (But don’t brush too hard!)
- Don’t brush over the genitals or areas where you have wounds, infections, or a rash.
- Continue brushing up your legs, then brush your arms (including armpits), shoulders, and torso. Always brush towards your heart.
- Some experts also recommend brushing in circular motion toward your heart when brushing the chest, armpits, and stomach specifically.3
- Go at a comfortable pace.
- Your skin may turn pink after brushing but should not be red or irritated.
- Apply a moisturizer after showering or bathing.
Benefits
Dry skin brushing offers a number of benefits for the health of the skin. Brushing exfoliates the skin, which improves its appearance. Also, according to dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, gentle dry brushing allows the skin to “hydrate more efficiently when a moisturizer is applied afterward.”4
Dry skin brushing is also trending as way to remove cellulite from the skin. As cellulite is basically toxic deposits of fat materials within the skin, it would make sense that a process that stimulates the lymphatic system could reduce this toxic buildup. While there is no scientific evidence that this is the case, many women—including celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow—say they have witnessed a smoothing of cellulite as a result of dry skin brushing.5
The skin is the obvious benefactor of dry skin brushing, but it also benefits certain systems within the body—specifically the lymphatic, circulation, nervous, and immune systems:
- Dry skin brushing stimulates the lymphatic system by helping move lymph fluid into the lymph nodes where toxins can then be eliminated.
- Brushing increases circulation to the skin, which encourages the elimination of toxins. This improved circulation provides more energy and vitality to the body.
- The skin is full of nerve endings, and dry skin brushing stimulates these endings. The stimulation of nerve endings not only provides a rejuvenating effect for the body, but can also help to tone the muscles.
- The accelerated clearing of toxins via the lymphatic system also strengthens the immune system. As Natural Health Techniques states, “by stimulating the lymph vessels to drain toxic mucoid matter into organs of detoxification, we can purify the entire system.”6
Is dry skin brushing right for you?
Holistic doctors and other wellness experts can attest to the multitude of benefits dry skin brushing offers. But while any person that wants to look and feel younger can benefit from this skin treatment, it isn’t right for everyone.
If you have a skin condition or have sensitive skin due to hormones, for example, dry skin brushing may do your body more harm than good.7 And if you are following the dry skin brushing treatment as recommended and your skin is red and irritated afterward, it may be too sensitive to handle the stimulation.
While dry skin brushing can be done on your own, you may get more of a benefit from having it done at a spa. Spas and wellness centers that offer dry skin brushing treatment not only know the proper technique, but can also administer the service while you lay down and relax!
Dry skin brushing balancer Virtual Item
Dry skin brushing is one of more than 250 digital signatures representing wellness services that can be scanned with ZYTO. A scan of the Dry Skin Brushing Virtual Item will reveal whether your body shows a biological coherence for the service, and the degree to which it is preferred. This item is available to scan in the ZYTO Balance, Select, and Elite systems.
About Dr. Vaughn Cook
Dr. Vaughn R Cook is the Founder & CEO of ZYTO. An Oriental Medical Doctor (OMD) and licensed acupuncturist, he has worked in the complementary and alternative medical field for more than 30 years, specializing in applications that integrate Western and Eastern medicine.
Sources:
1. “How (and Why) You Need to Dry Brush.” Coveteur. Coveteur.com.
2. “Dry Skin Brushing.” Claremont Colonic and Nutrient Resource Clinic. Claremontcoloniccenter.com.
3. “The Dry Skin Brushing Technique.” Advance Detox Center. Detoxwithcolonics.com.
4. Britto, Darielle. “All you need to know about dry brushing.” Misskyra.com.
5. Kirby, Victoria. “If You’re Not Dry Brushing, Gwyneth Paltrow Says You’re Doing It Wrong.” redbook. Redbookmag.com.
6. “Dry Brushing Technique.” Natural Health Techniques.” Naturalhealthtechniques.com.
7. Stalder, Erika. “Read This Before You Start Dry Brushing.” Refinery29. Refinery29.com.
