Polski
Dry body brushing is one of the most popular beauty trends of recent months. With a special brush and the right movements, you can achieve truly amazing results: firming the skin, evening out skin tone and getting rid of unwanted cellulite. However, the market offers a wide range of brushes, and the information that can be found on the Internet is often contradictory. Therefore, the editors of GentleWoman POLAND decided to ask an expert about it.
Table of Contents:
- What’s the deal with dry brushing?
- A method known for generations
- Pleasure or suffering?
- What types of brushes are there?
- How to choose the right brush?
- Proper brush care is essential
- Contraindications to dry brushing
- Body brushing and pregnancy
- Can varicose veins be dry brushed?
- How to brush dry?
- Sweeping movements
- Where to start with dry body brushing?
- Skin preparation
- How often can you brush your face and body?
- Spectacular dry brushing results
- Don’t wait, act!
What’s the deal with dry brushing?
Dry brushing is a kind of scrubbing combined with a full-body massage performed at home. All you really need is a properly chosen brush, a little information on how to do it properly and a free quarter of an hour. Just enough or enough to get amazing results in a few weeks. Already after the first month the effects are really noticeable, while after another two months the body looks as if it has been subjected to expensive and exclusive spa treatments.
A method known for generations
The idea of brushing the body came to us all the way from the Far East hundreds of years ago, but the first information on the subject was already contained in Ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine from the 12th century BC. Once upon a time, when there were no brushes, dried grasses were used. Only quite recently have they been replaced by a brush made of natural bristles. In 1979, the WHO officially recognized it as one approach to health and therapy.
Pleasure or suffering?
Although it might seem that dry brushing might not be much fun or even painful. Nothing could be further from the truth. Done properly with a well-chosen brush, it makes the treatment becomes a ritual that you want to indulge in every evening. In addition, if you see quick results you know that it was really worth it.
What types of brushes are there?
Currently, we have a wide range of brushes in stores. It is important that it is made of natural bristles and not synthetic substitutes, then the massage effects will be much better. Among the most popular of these we can distinguish brushes with agave, coconut and bristle fibers. Brushes with horse or goat hair are also available. The choice of bristle also affects its level of hardness. In addition to the bristle material, it is also worth paying attention to the length of the bristles and what the brush shaft itself is made of. Not only does the wooden one look better, but it is also greener and more durable than the plastic replacement.
How to choose the right brush?
Each of the available brushes has a different application and is designed for different parts of the body, skin type and our preferences. That’s why we decided to ask an expert in the field, Karolina Mazgaj, owner of the Mrs. Brush store with dry brushing products. “The body massage brushes we have are mainly made of agave-tampico fiber. There is a brush that is quite hard and one made of bristle, which is definitely softer. For the bust, horsehair brushes are the most common, and for the face there are goathair brushes. If one is sensitive to stimuli, it’s a good idea to start with bristles, and then when everything is ok you can move on to tampico. If someone has no sensitivity to stimuli, he can use a sharp tampico right away. There are also people who have spider veins, but can brush themselves, in which case it’s a good idea to go for bristles and additional wet brushing.”
Proper brush care is essential
In order for the brush to serve us for a longer period of time, it is also necessary to properly care for it. Once a week, it’ s a good idea to wash it with a mild detergent and then lay it with the bristles up so it can dry on its own. Under no circumstances use a hair dryer to dry it. This will ensure that the bristles retain their natural shape and no bacteria and fungi, which are dangerous to our bodies, will develop on them.
Contraindications to dry brushing
Although dry brushing is undoubtedly one of the best, and cheapest, treatments for the face and body, it is not for everyone. People with various skin problems, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or fungal infections, should absolutely steer clear of it. Also, those suffering from skin cancer must let go of brush treatments.
Body brushing and pregnancy
Dry brushing is ideal for pregnant women. Regular treatments will make your skin recover faster after childbirth. However, it is important to note that before starting a massage, it is a good idea to consult with your health care provider, who will confirm whether there are any contraindications to having a massage. After all, the health of the mother-to-be and the baby comes first!
Can varicose veins be dry brushed?
Spider veins, varicose veins and moles that protrude beyond the skin line also disqualify us from using the brush. Then you can not only damage, for example, moles, but also cause thrombosis or hemorrhage in the case of varicose veins. This is not only dangerous to health, but also to life. If we are not sure whether we can perform dry brushing at our place, then it is advisable to consult a specialist: a phlebologist or vascular surgeon.
How to brush dry?
If we already have a properly selected brush it remains to learn the correct technique. These are not arbitrary movements in all possible directions. For the treatment to have the desired results, it must be done according to strict rules. “The body is brushed with sweeping motions, upward toward the heart. The joints and abdomen can be moved in circular motions clockwise,” Karolina Mazgaj suggests.
Sweeping movements
Why are sweeping movements toward the heart so important? This is directly related to our anatomy, and more specifically to the distribution of lymphatic vessels and lymph flow. With movements from the bottom up, we will get rid of unwanted cellulite without hurting ourselves.
What’s more, instead of forceful rubbing and painful peeling of the epidermis, use gentle sweeping motions with a brush set at a 45-degree angle. Remember, it’s supposed to be a massage and scrub, like a treatment at an exclusive spa, not an unpleasant chore you have to do.
Where to start with dry body brushing?
We start the massage from the bottom, that is, from the feet. With a sweeping motion, move the brush from the toes to the heels to massage the sole of the heels. For those who are ticklish in this area, it may prove problematic at first, but after a while the skin should get used to it.
Then massage the legs, making long movements from the ankles to the thighs toward the heart, which will improve lymph flow. When reaching the buttocks, do not change the movements at all. We don’t do it sideways or in circular motions. You should still sweep the skin gently, thus getting rid of cellulite, which most often appears in this very place. To do a back scrub you may need a brush on a long handle or the help of someone else. It is important here also to stick to the “bottom up” principle towards the nape of the neck.
As our expert mentioned earlier, the abdomen and breasts are massaged a little differently – in a clockwise circular motion. It will also help stimulate intestinal peristalsis and ease digestion. When massaging the breasts, avoid the nipples, as they are extremely delicate and prone to irritation. Only at the very end do we massage our hands and palms.
Skin preparation
In theory, the procedure can be performed at any time of the day. It is important to keep the skin clean and dry. Immediately before, do not apply any lotion or oil, as this can damage the brush and will not produce the effect you dream of. After brushing, it’s a good idea to take a lukewarm shower to wash off any remaining dead skin. Only after getting out of the shower apply your favorite lotion and enjoy firm, smooth skin.
How often can you brush your face and body?
To ensure that the effects are visible and stay with us for a long time, it is worthwhile to make sure that the treatment is regular. “The body can be brushed every day, about 1-7 minutes for the whole body is completely enough, while the face can be brushed once, maximum twice a week for about 1 minute each,” suggests expert Karolina Mazgaj. By following all these recommendations, you can enjoy beautiful skin without visible defects and imperfections.
Spectacular dry brushing results
Contrary to what you might think, dry brushing produces truly amazing results in just a short period of time. The skin becomes firmer and tighter, and thus unwanted cellulite disappears. The same goes for the face, with the treatment smoothing out fine wrinkles. In addition, there is an equalization of skin tone. As you can see, using a brush really has many advantages.
Dry brushing, as we mentioned earlier , acts as a scrub to remove dead skin. Therefore, it is ideal before going on vacation, where we plan to sunbathe. Then the tan will be more natural and will spread evenly without leaving spots on the skin. It is also worth doing them in winter, when you want to use bronzing lotion or take advantage of spray tanning. Perfectly smooth skin will better and longer maintain its effects.
Don’t wait, act!
If you already know what dry brushing should look like and what brush to choose, act! Now is the perfect time to indulge in home beauty treatments during the long autumn evenings. Plus, prepare a bath with your favorite oils, grab a book and enjoy a moment just for yourself!
