Your DIY Guide to the Latest in Skin Care Fads: Dry Brushing

By Rigel Celeste on February 5th, 2010

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Sick of dealing with dry winter skin? I know I am — it seems like no matter how much I moisturize I still end up feeling rough and looking dull and I hate it. Short of waiting for spring there’s another interesting option I came across that will not only smooth and brighten your skin but also claims to improve skin’s firmness and tone, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and boost energy.

Dry brushing is available professionally at many spas but here’s a quick guide if you’re interested in trying it yourself at home.

You should start with a soft brush with natural bristles (synthetic ones are usually too harsh) and plan to dry brush right before bathing in order to rinse away the loosened skin cells and rejuvenate the new layer beneath. Always avoid areas with especially delicate (face, breasts) or irritated (scratched, sunburned) skin and moisturize thoroughly immediately after bathing. The basics of dry brushing are:

1. Dry brushing takes place on completely dry skin (of course).
2. Go over each area 2-3 times and always brush towards the heart to properly stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
3. Start with the feet, from toes to heel, and move your way up the body to the calves, knees, inner thighs, outer thighs, buttocks, and lower back.
4. Dry brush the abdomen using gentle clockwise circles, then move from the fingertips up to the armpits.
5. For your back use a long-handled brush (or get a friend, *wink*) to brush from the back of your neck over your shoulders and down your back.
6. Finish up by very gently brushing from underneath your earlobes down to the front of your shoulders and chest.

I haven’t tried this yet but it sounds like a great way to exfoliate!

(Photo courtesy of icefront on stock.xchng)