Brush The Skin Dry To Reduce Cellulite, Improve Circulation

To brush well, we should choose a brush with soft bristles, preferably organic.

Currently, it is very fashionable to brush the skin dry, since it is believed to be a very valuable treatment that, in addition to promoting the elimination of dead skin cells, activates circulation to avoid problems such as orange peel, heaviness, among others.

In this article we will dismantle some of the myths that surround this practice and we will talk about its true benefits. In this way, if you finally decide to incorporate dry brushing into your daily routine, you can do it consciously and knowing what to expect. Take note!

Take care of your skin to enjoy good health

It seems that most cosmetic treatments are designed to hydrate, protect and exfoliate the skin of the face, which is one of the areas most affected by environmental factors. Because of this, many people forget that the rest of the skin requires attention.

The skin needs to be cared for, since it is the largest organ in the body and because it is not an isolated system. It is connected to the other systems of the body and, if its health is neglected, it could affect the functioning of other parts of the body.

It can be said that the skin is a complex organ, made up of nerves, glands and layers of cells, whose main functions are to protect internal organs and regulate temperature.

As if that were not enough, the skin  contains nerve cells that connect directly with the brain, allowing perception and interaction with the external environment.

All this makes the skin play relevant roles beyond aesthetics, being a channel to maintain health and stimulate various functions of other parts of the body.

Today we will talk about a routine that can help us take care of our skin if done correctly: dry brushing. We will also debunk some myths about this practice. We started!

Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating cellular debris that accumulates, day by day, due to the work of each cell in the body.

In this system, there are lymphatic tubules that are the ones that filter waste from the tissues and take them to the bloodstream to eliminate them, this is the process known as ‘Lymphatic drainage’.

The malfunction of this system generates a dangerous congestion that can cause irregular inflammation as well as various diseases.

In this sense, it is believed that dry brushing can be useful to “detoxify” the lymphatic system, since it helps us eliminate toxins from our skin, which in the end would end up having an impact on our lymphatic system. However,  there are no studies that show that eliminating toxins from our skin will improve our lymphatic function.

If you want to take care of your lymphatic system, you should eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly, as well as follow the advice of your doctor.

Acts as an exfoliator

This myth is true. Although, in general, when it comes to removing residues and restoring beauty to the skin, the use of exfoliating ingredients is recommended to reduce the accumulation of dead cells, it can also be useful to use dry brushing to give it life .

In addition, exfoliation is believed to help deep clean clogged pores and allow the skin to oxygenate to facilitate renewal. A clean skin favors the action of the creams and skin products that we use, since their components can enter through the pores more easily.

However, it is important not to abuse this practice and exfoliate carefully so as not to damage or irritate the skin.

Fight cellulite

There is a myth that dry brushing the skin can be a good way to combat, or prevent, cellulite in various areas of the body, since it could soften the hard fat deposits that are under the skin forming those annoying dimples known like “Orange peel”.

However, there is no study to support this claim and, what’s more, if you suffer from cellulite, dry brushing could even be counterproductive. And is that in some cases this can be manifested by blisters and sensitivity on the skin, so using a dry brush could irritate the skin even more.

Therefore, brushing dry is not going to help you to end cellulite, what it can do is partially help us in its prevention. How? As we have seen before, by exfoliating the skin (always carefully) we open the pores, which favors the absorption of creams, so if we use a cream or a topical anti-cellulite treatment, this could be more effective. But in no case are we going to prevent this problem simply with a dry brush.

Decrease tension and stress

Although there are currently no studies to support this claim, it is believed that dry brushing the skin would invite relaxation and the release of emotional tension. A bit like the feeling of well-being that a good massage could give us.

Helps improve digestion and kidney function

This belief is related to the first of the myths of which we have spoken. Dry brushing is believed to be a form of massage for the lymph nodes, which help the body rid itself of excess water and toxins. Therefore, maintaining the habit of brushing would result in smoother skin, but also in the realization of better digestion and kidney function.

However, as we have seen, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. And, although the skin is related to several internal organs, it seems unlikely that brushing it and keeping it clean will help us digest better, since this function is performed in the stomach.

Steps to brush your skin properly

Although, as we have seen, not all the benefits that circulate on the net about dry brushing are true and it is not as miraculous a technique as we thought, this does not mean that it cannot have certain benefits, as we have seen.

In any case, done correctly, it will not harm us and can help us keep our skin clean. Therefore, to finish we offer you some tips for its proper use.

First of all, you need to  find a good quality brush.  Preferably made of bristles made of organic materials and a handle that makes it easy to massage the back and other hard-to-reach parts.

For best results, brushing can be carried out every day, except for those with dry skin, who can do it only two to three times a week.

It begins with the soles of the feet and continues along the legs, always making circular movements in the direction of the heart. Upon reaching the abdomen, make circular movements in a counterclockwise direction and continue. When reaching the breast, it is essential to take into account that the nipples should not be brushed, because it could be too aggressive for this part of the body.

Regarding the pressure or force exerted during the treatment, it is necessary to remember that dry brushing should not be vigorous or long-lasting. In this sense, do not rub too hard, the idea is to gently massage the skin, not scratch it.

This simple technique for the skin is extremely simple, affordable and also does not require long minutes in its daily performance. In total, it should take between two and ten minutes. Try incorporating it into your routine!