Dry brushing, or massaging the skin with a brush, can be an invigorating start to anyone’s morning hygiene routine. Typically done prior to showering or bathing, dry brushing will take up to 12 minutes alone or 15 minutes when coupled with the oil massage routine.
Choosing a Brush
The tool in Dry Brushing is typically a long-handled bath brush with soft, natural fiber bristles. Other options would include exfoliating gloves, a loofah sponge or even raw-silk gloves. The advantage of the long-handled brush over the other options is that the bather can reach body parts not accessible by his or her arm-reach. The middle back is an example of a hard-to-reach area when using the loofah sponge or gloves.
Performing the Dry Brushing Routine
Dry Brushing uses strokes that go towards the heart – aiding in the body’s lymph and blood circulation. Always start with a lighter pressure to avoid scratching the skin or feeling uncomfortable after showering. Deeper pressures can be added over time as the body becomes used to Dry Brushing.
Starting at the feet the brush, loofah or gloves are drawn across the tops and bottoms of the feet moving on to the calves and then the thighs. Areas of cellulite or extra fat can be given extra brush strokes. Strokes should always move towards the heart – an upward motion for the lower body and sideways motions for the upper chest and back. The heart is located in the chest to the left of the midline of the body.
Strokes across the abdomen should resemble a clockwise motion in the direction of proper digestion flow. Attention can be paid to the buttocks before moving to the back and drawing long strokes up towards the shoulders. Women should use gentle pressure over the breasts and under the arms, especially if sensitivity exists.
Tips for Optimum Dry Brushing
- The brush or other tool should be washed in warm water with soap after use to clean off any dead skin cells.
- Areas of open skin wounds – cuts, scratches and rashes – should be avoided when dry brushing.
- Dry Brushing is always performed on dry skin and is best applied prior to showering so any dead skin remaining is washed off afterwards.
- The bather can eventually use a coarser brush if desired and skin tolerates the texture difference.
- Natural bristled brushes are preferred by complementary medicine practitioners as synthetic bristles are considered to cause microscopic scratches in the skin.
Adding Oil to Dry Brushing
Skin types that are prone to dryness will especially benefit from the addition of an oil massage after dry brushing. Very oily skin types will feel uncomfortable with the oil massage and should skip this addition and go directly to the shower after brushing.
A plant ester, Jojoba oil matches the skin’s natural oils and won’t clog pores like other heavy oils can. Jojoba oil can be found at local health food stores. Other oils commonly used include almond, olive, sunflower, coconut and sesame.
In traditional Ayurvedic Abhyanga style an oil massage starts at the scalp with a small amount of oil vigorously massaged into the scalp and hair. Gentle pressure is used over the face and neck followed by vigorous massage of the arms and shoulders. Abhyanga uses gentle and circular strokes over the abdomen before returning to a more vigorous massage of the legs and feet.
In his book, Perfect Health [ISBN 0-609-80694-7] bestselling author Deepak Chopra recommends a mini-massage for those short on time in their morning routine. This includes a massage of the head and feet only.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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