Centuries ago, the people of Japan and Greece are said to have brushed their bodies with corncobs and loofahs to get silken smooth skin. And for decades now, spa therapists and beauty experts have been recommending it as an effective way to reduce the appearance of cellulite–the cluster of fat that results in “cottage-cheese thighs.”
Today, skin experts such as Georgios Tzenichristos laugh off those claims as exaggerated.
“Brushing the skin with a dry brush is often recommended on the premise that it drains away lump-enlarging toxins,” says Tzenichristos. ” But the fact is, those lumps consist of fat cells that need to be broken down and dispersed. Dry brushing cannot do that.”
In a New York Times article, Dr. Tina S. Alster, founding director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and a clinical professor at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC., expresses much the same view: “It sounds trendy. Everyone wants to flush toxins from their skin. Give the body more credit than that,” she says, pointing out that as far as toxin-removal is concerned, it is the liver and not the skin that plays a major role.
So then, is dry brushing any good? Definitely, as long as you don’t expect it to zap away the cellulite and make a dramatic difference to your body’s toxin levels.
Some time-tested benefits of dry brushing include:
- Getting rid of dead cells.
- Better blood circulation. Experts recommend brushing in upward strokes toward the heart.
- A boost in energy, which results from improved blood flow.
- A sense of freshness that comes from skin cells “awakening” and the pores opening up.
- Better lymphatic drainage, which improves immunity to disease. (Lymph carries vital fluids toward the heart).
If you do practice dry brushing before you turn on the shower every morning, there is no reason to discontinue it. But do make sure you are doing it the right way. Some important reminders:
- Use a natural brush that is not too harsh on your skin.
- Keep it clean: a daily rinse with soap and warm water should suffice.
- Brush in long, upward strokes, moving toward the heart.
- You know you are doing it right when the skin feels pleasantly warm and tingly afterwards.
