on dry brushing

This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves removing dead cells from the top layer of skin by brushing it with a dry brush prior to bathing/showering. Dry brushing the skin detoxifies the body and stimulates the lymphatic system.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, allowing us to excrete a third of the toxins of the body. If it’s covered with dead skin cells, it can neither breathe nor remove any bad substances. This causes inflammation because any toxins that would normally exit the body through the skin are now accumulating inside the body. By brushing our skin dry every day, we increase the flow of oxygen in our body, boosting blood circulation, reducing the appearance of cellulite, removing dead cells, and helping live cells evacuate toxins.

Dry brushing is extremely purifying for the lymphatic system, which is the body’s natural detoxification system. Its role is to collect, transport, and dispose of all unused waste produced by the cells. When the lymphatic system gets congested, toxins accumulate. 

Toxins in the body can increase due to any number of things, from seasonal changes, to pesticides in our food, and also sugar & GMOs. Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, draining the toxicity built up over time in the body, especially if a person has an unhealthy diet.

Dry brushing should be practiced daily, both as a preventive measure to keep the lymphatic system at maximum capacity and as a treatment for when the toxins have already accumulated. This practice only takes about five minutes a day, but the benefits are significant. In addition to cleansing the body from both inside and outside, it’s also very relaxing.

HOW TO PRACTICE DRY BRUSHING?

The first thing to do is to get a suitable brush. Body brushes can be easily found online or in wellness stores. These brushes cost between 15 and 30 dollars.

Once you have a proper brush, here are the steps, in order:

1. The purpose of dry-brushing is to strengthen the lymphatic system. This includes redirecting the lymph fluid to the lymph nodes in the armpits and the upper torso areas for the top part of the body, and to the groin level for the lower part of the body. Dry brushing is practiced from the lower part of the body upwards and from the ends towards the inside of the body.
2. Begin with the lower body, starting from the feet. Make small circles, and go up along the legs, always making small circles. For the lower body, the path of the brush is, therefore: feet, calves, thighs, and buttocks for the back, towards the groin. Repeat the process so that you make it around the whole leg, always from the bottom up. Focus on the soles of the feet, where the lymph tends to accumulate and stagnate easily.
3. Then do the same for the arms. Starting from the hands, brush by making small circles, and bring the brush up in a straight line. The path of the brush will be: Hands, wrists, forearms, arms, so as to reach the armpits. Repeat this process so that you go around the whole arm, always from the bottom to the top. Focus on the palms of the hands, where the lymph tends to accumulate and stagnate easily.
4. Continue brushing starting from the neck, then brush the shoulders, and bring the brush back towards the armpits.
5. Finish the dry brushing with the back and stomach. Brush each area by making expanding circles in a clockwise direction, or by dividing the belly (or back) into four areas. You will bring the lymph to the nearest lymph nodes: for the upper left part of the torso, you will bring the lymph to the left armpit, for the lower right part of the chest, you will return the lymph to the right groin.

People often find the first dry brushing sessions quite uncomfortable because they are slightly irritating to the skin. It’s normal for very light skin patients to see red blotches. After a few days of practice, the skin will desensitize, and over time, patients will find the practice much more pleasant and even relaxing. However, be careful not to brush too hard, so as not to damage the epidermis.

Ayurveda also advises against dry brushing the face, especially with the same brush (which can result in bringing toxins from the body into the face).

Once a week, clean the brush in a container filled with hot water and tea tree essential oil (3 drops of tea tree essential oil for one cup of hot water). Then, place the brush on a towel. 

IMPORTANT: Dry brushing is a practice that can have some contraindications. Don’t use dry brushing on irritated or injured areas of the skin (acne, inflammation, varicose veins, burns, sunburns, wounds, etc.), as well as in case of kidney failure or tumor. If in doubt, abstain.