According to the same study, dry brushing is a big no-no. The breaks in your skin can lead to cuts or wounds, especially if you're using a coarse brush and your skin is sensitive. You should also avoid brushing over an open wound. That could potentially cause an infection.
It's not a willy-nilly scrubbing of the skin; dry brushes have stiff bristles, so do it wrong and you can cause skin irritation. Ouch! Also, because the lymph flows towards the heart, brushing in the opposite direction doesn't have the same lymph-draining benefits. Luckily, it's easy to do it the right way.
Do dermatologists recommend dry brushing? Because of the potential risks posed by dry brushing, both Beleznay and Beach caution against the practice. Instead, they recommend alternative methods of exfoliation such as lactic acid and glycolic acid.
In general, practice dry brushing (and all exfoliation) with caution, as overdoing it can cause irritation. If your skin skews extra sensitive or you have eczema, psoriasis, or other serious skin conditions, steer clear of dry brushing, as it can exacerbate your issues.
If you have sensitive skin and think dry brushing might be too harsh a treatment, opt for a lymphatic drainage paddle instead. While it essentially has all the same benefits—increases circulation, reduces puffiness and water retention, and aids in digestion, a paddle is much lighter on the skin.
You might notice a difference after the first session, but for the most dramatic results, you need to give it two weeks. “The technique of dry brushing takes time and effort — it's not an instant result,” explains Pekar.
Stimulates collagen production: While dry brushing does increase blood flow, "its main purpose is to stimulate collagen production," says Vargas.
You don't have to shower after dry brushing, but it's recommended—you don't want to loosen all those dead skin cells and gunk from your skin and then go on with your day! Wash it off and then seal in moisture and keep your skin smooth by applying your favorite body oil or lotion.
Most experts recommend dry brushing in the morning rather than before bed because they believe it has invigorating qualities.
It's important to moisturize your skin after a dry brush routine to help reintroduce hydration after disrupting the skin barrier. Using lotion when the skin is still damp will help it to sop up the extra moisture.
However, avoid dry brushing skin affected by eczema, psoriasis, acne, infection, sunburn, cancer, moles, warts, or open wounds, Haasl-Blilie says. People with sensitive skin may want to use a soft natural bristle brush and be especially careful not to apply too much pressure.
The Health Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing
Dry skin brushing helps to shed dead skin cells, which can help improve skin texture, cell renewal and help prevent premature aging.
But not everyone agrees on exactlyhow dry brushing should be done, especially when it comes to an approach known as “brushing toward the heart.” The theory behind brushing toward the heart is that by making long, sweeping strokes in the direction of the heart, you are working with the body's lymph flow.
If your skin is red or has marks after dry brushing, you're doing it to hard. It should feel good, not painful. It's also possible that the practice of dry brushing could cause you to feel lightheaded and nauseas. This is due to the activation of the lymphatic system which helps detox our body.
Experts say an age-old trick helps to dramatically decrease your chances of dealing with bikini ingrowns. Ingrown hairs happen when hairs get trapped under dead skin. Dry brushing is fantastic at exfoliating these dead skin cells away.
The thing is, each style has valid benefits: Wetting before softens toothbrush bristles and rinses off debris. Wetting after ensures the toothpaste melts into your toothbrush so it doesn't roll off. Not wetting your toothbrush means there aren't extra steps between applying toothpaste and brushing.
Ladies, you may dry brush your breasts, but be gentle as the tissue on your chest is more sensitive than other areas. Be sure to always move the brush in circular motions toward your heart. This will assist your blood flow and pump more blood toward your heart.
Your armpits and inner thighs towards your bikini line are two key areas to keep in mind when dry brushing. These areas contain clusters lymph nodes that help promote lymphatic drainage.
"Dry brushing is very useful for increasing circulation and exfoliating the skin," explains San Francisco–based cult aesthetician Kayla Franzblau. "It's a really affordable and easy way to keep skin free of congestion at home." Just as long as you're very, very gentle, she adds.