Unlock the Benefits of Dry Brushing for Healthy Skin & Hair

“I ALWAYS get ingrown hairs”

“I HATE my cellulite!”

“What’s the BEST form of exfoliation?”

‍Lucky for our clients and for you, all of the problems above can be helped by one super affordable and natural solution (and it doesn’t even involve surgery or a sketchy multi-level marketing element!)

DRY BRUSHING!

If you’re like most people, you have likely heard of this, and you have probably even purchased one and then left it sitting in your bathroom closet because you had no idea what to do with it. Dry brushes come in a variety of sizes and frequently have wood handles and either natural or synthetic hair bristles.

It's a really old practice with numerous benefits, such as shedding dead skin cells, stimulating lymphatic flow, and increasing circulation—all without any harsh chemicals or treatments.

4 Benefits of Dry Brushing

Dry brushing can help improve circulation on the scalp and is considered a great way to improve the appearance of hair and skin. The benefits of dry brushing include the following:

• It helps to remove dead skin cells and make the scalp more susceptible to moisture.
• It can aid in the prevention of ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells that can trap hair in follicles.
• Dry brushing your hair can help make your scalp appear plumper and more radiant.
• It can help to stimulate the lymphatic system, aiding in the removal of waste and toxins.

If you’re looking for a new way to moisturize your hair and scalp, dry brushing is a good option. Not only does it provide benefits such as improved circulation, but it also helps to tone your skin and improve its appearance. Besides, dry brushing your hair can help you feel refreshed and invigorated after a hair massage session or after shampooing and conditioning your hair with natural oils.

Preventing Ingrown Hairs

By exfoliating the skin and sweeping away dead skin cells and buildup, dry brushing helps to improve the appearance of the skin before hair removal. It functions by exfoliating the skin and making it more susceptible to hydration and thus better able to withstand hair removal. Dry brushing also improves the skin’s surface by smoothing out bumps, lumps, and other irregularities, which can help make hair removal easier.

The coarse bristles of the brush act as a mechanical exfoliant, sweeping away dead and dull skin cells to make the skin more susceptible to moisture and hydration. It also increases the speed at which new cells make their way to the surface. This simple exfoliation process helps to shed the dead skin, which can trap bacteria and debris as well as loose, lazy hairs that want to fall behind under the skin's surface, causing painful and unsightly ingrowns.

Unclogs Pores and Follicles

Dry brushing can be a beneficial addition to your hair and skin care routine. It helps unclog pores and follicles to prevent hair loss and acne. Dry brushing helps to remove impurities that can block the pores and follicles, leading to healthier hair growth.

You can dry brush your hair or face using a natural fiber brush or a hand-held brush. If you are unsure about dry brushing your skin, start with gentle strokes over your face or scalp. The benefits of dry brushing are long-lasting, so it's worth adding this routine to your daily hair and skin care routines.

Supports Your Lymphatic System

Your lymphatic system is helped by dry brushing because it encourages the flow and drainage of lymph fluids. This reduces the symptoms of lymphedema. Unlike our circulatory system, our lymphatic system does not have a pump to move the waste through it—it actually relies on lymphatic stimulation to detox itself. Dry brushing does this for us!

It encourages the flow of lymph, which is made up of extra fluids that drain from cells and tissues. This helps your body fight off pathogens, move and get rid of waste, and keep the right amount of fluid in your body. By dry brushing your skin and hair regularly, you improve circulation and give yourself a more youthful look.

Reduces Cellulite

Dry brushing is a popular way to massage yourself and is thought to help reduce cellulite and skin problems caused by cellulite. While dry brushing doesn't reduce cellulite itself, it helps to reduce the appearance and feel of cellulite by plumping the skin's surface and softening hard fat deposits (which make cellulite appear more visible).

On a deeper level, we all know that toxins store themselves in our fat cells. When we stimulate the lymph (via dry brushing), it helps to restore our connective tissue and detox our cells of toxins (win/win!)

Before you start a dry brushing routine, you should look at your skin to make sure there are no spots you should avoid. In addition, dry brushing should be done carefully and slowly to prevent injuries to the skin. It’s best to start with a gentle brush and work up to a more vigorous one as the brush becomes more comfortable. Also, dry brushing regularly, ideally twice a week, may help reduce skin problems caused by cellulite over time.

Relieving Stress

Dry brushing is an effective way to relieve stress and improve circulation in the body. Dry brushing can help release toxins and reduce stress levels by improving circulation and lymphatic drainage in the body. It is also known to provide support to better sleep by reducing stress and promoting natural sleep rhythms.

Stimulating the scalp blood supply is vital for hair production. When dry brushing the scalp, it's important to brush in a gentle, circular motion to increase blood flow and help hair grow. It is also best to wear protective gear, such as gloves, when dry brushing the skin to prevent irritation.

What brush should I use to dry brush?

A brush with natural, ultra-fine bristles is ideal for dry brushing. Stiff or synthetic bristles should be avoided as they can cause irritation or microscopic cuts. Think of a brush that would be safe even on a baby's skin. Of course, it should be completely dry, aside from perhaps a dab of body oil.

Avoid brushing in sensitive areas if you have acne or eczema. The bristles of the brush could cause irritation and create painful breakouts. When performing dry brushing, make sure to fully exfoliate your skin before using the brush. This will ensure that your skin is left feeling clean and refreshed without any residue or oiliness.

Can I dry brush with sensitive skin or other skin conditions?

Dry brushing is possible for people with sensitive skin, however, the bristles must generally be firm. People with skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, and shingles should not dry brush their skin. People with open wounds, sunburn, or inflammatory conditions should also avoid dry brushing.

If you have sensitive skin, exfoliating treatments such as chemical peel or physical exfoliation would work better for you. These treatments also allow the skin to shed dead cells  easily and encourage new cell growth.

When should I dry brush?

Always dry brush after a shower, as showering afterwards will help wash away any dead skin cells. Start by gently moving the brush in circular motions across the skin. As you become comfortable with the movement of the brush, feel free to increase the pace of your strokes.

How do I dry brush my skin?

Begin by wetting your skin with warm water or body oil. Then, using a brush made of natural bristles, gently sweep the skin in a circular motion. Do this once per week, ideally one pass per body part. Make sure you clean your brush every two weeks to prevent irritation from buildup.

Start from the mid-length or few inches from the end of your hair, rather than from the roots. This will help prevent damage to your strands and scalp. Next, move the brush up an inch or two and brush downward until all tangles have been removed. Brush the entire length of your hair a few times to help circulation.

For best results, avoid brushes with stiff or synthetic bristles as they can cause irritation. Additionally, detangling products can be used to make the dry brushing process less damaging.

Avoid brushing your hair from top to bottom to prevent breakage. This will ensure that you are able to get thorough coverage from root to tip without damaging your hair follicle.

Brush maintenance

Clean your brush once per week using soap and water. Doing so allows it to stay healthy and effective for dry brushing. Additionally, avoid sharing your dry brush with anyone else to prevent the spread of infection. Instead, pat your hair with a towel and let it absorb moisture from the brushing process without rough drying with a towel.

What are the risks of dry brushing?

Dry brushing can result in skin irritation and skin tears, as well as superficial abrasion, if done too often or too hard. Potential side effects of dry brushing include soreness and pain, scratches, and disruption of the skin barrier which results in increased dryness.

Dry brushing can also cause infection if done on broken skin or too hard. Infection from dry brushing is known as 'straw evangelicals' and it can occur when someone frequently brushes broken skin without proper cleaning.

The bottom line

There are so many benefits of dry brushing for skin and hair. It exfoliates dead skin cells, increases circulation, reduces cellulite, and improves skin elasticity. It also helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes, shrink pores, and shed dead skin cells. Dry brushing can also help to boost your lymphatic system and support natural cleansing functions of your body.

Besides, it helps to improve sleep and reduce stress levels. In addition to helping your skin look better, dry brushing helps you feel better too. You’re less stressed out, more relaxed, and have a clearer mind when you dry brush regularly.

While it may seem foreign to dry-brush your pubic area, I have seen a marked improvement in ingrown hairs when my clients dry brush daily. Don't forget to follow with a shower and an amazing healing salve. (Dinah’s salve is our favorite.)

‍Wait a day or two after your most recent bikini wax or bikini sugar before beginning your dry brush routine. Within a few hair removal cycles, you should see a marked improvement in ingrown hairs as well as in scarring from previous for a great dry brush?

We have the perfect dry brushes for sale at our studio. Simple ask your esthetician if you can pick one up and your next facial or sugaring appointment.

See you soon Portland Beauties!