Why You Should Start Dry Brushing Every Day

Dry brushing is an ancient body cleansing technique. In Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems that was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India, it is known as Garshana, which is an Ayurvedic lymphatic massage that helps remove ama (digestive toxins) and allows you not only to clean the skin, but also benefit the whole body. The reason? Together with the colon, kidneys, liver, and lungs, the skin is the fifth organ responsible for the elimination of waste and also the largest by surface area.

For the skin's health, dry brushing is one of the best ways to stimulate your cell turnover, along with exfoliating and other deep cleansing methods. "Dry brushing increases blood flow, which is healthy, but its main purpose is to stimulate collagen production which will help to thicken the skin and lessen the appearance of fat cells," says celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas, founder of Joanna Vargas salons and skincare and author of Glow From Within. "It also dramatically increases elasticity, so it's great for lifting and toning a problem area."

Besides promoting the elimination of dead skin cells, cellulite, and other impurities, dry brushing can additionally stimulate circulation and aid digestion, as it acts on the lymphatic system by draining liquids and eliminating swelling, as well as reinvigorating the nervous system by stimulating the nerve endings of the skin. Therefore, it is not just about tactile benefits: dry brushing is an effective method to help our body dispose of toxins which, if stored for too long, can fuel a general state of inflammation from which infections and diseases arise.

To try it out for yourself, Vargas says to start at the tops of the feet and bush upwards, towards the heart. "You want the strokes to be long, as circles don't work, and you should spend extra time on areas that tend to be more stagnant, like the inner thigh, the backs of the arms, and the back," she suggests. Dry brushing before your morning shower is an easy way to incporporate the practice into your daily routine. Doing so for just two minutes will result in a noticeable difference in your skin quality and cellulite within days, according to the skincare expert. Avoid dry brushing in the evening as this practice has an energy-boosting effect, rather than a calming one. And never dry brush the face as the bristles are too harsh for its delicate skin. Instead, try gua sha techniques to de-puff and stimulate lymphatic drainage in the face.

If you have sensitive skin prone to reddening, add a few drops of body oil to your clean dry brush in order to make the massage more soothing. Vargas confirms, "Two weeks straight of dry brushing will give you the bottom you have always wanted- high and smooth!"