A Guide to Dry Body Brushing

Here to reveal insights to an ancient beauty ritual, this blog post dives into the origins, techniques and benefits of dry body brushing.

History

Not a wellness trend but in fact, an ancient beauty ritual adored by civilisations around the world for thousands of years. It is believed to have been a favoured practice of the ancient Egyptians, the pioneers of exceptional beauty rituals, is known as an Ayurvedic staple and is noted amongst the Russians, Turks, Scandinavians, Chinese, Romans and Greeks as a natural beauty regime for skin health and luminosity.

Dry body brushing is the process of briskly sweeping a dry bristled tool, made of natural fibres such as sisal, cactus or boar hair, along the body to promote healthy, radiant skin.

Method

Body brushing is best practiced on dry skin prior to bathing to lift away impurities and unveil a gently exfoliated surface that is primed for cleansing.
Start at the soles of the feet and palms, using long upward strokes to sweep the brush along the limbs and towards the heart. Use gentle motions around the abdominal area and take care to gently focus on the armpits and groin where the lymph nodes reside as this is where lymphatic fluid will be directed.

Followed by a cool shower, this daily 5 minute routine becomes an invigorating and revitalising way to support the body’s circulatory system and detoxification pathways.

This routine has an enlivening effect when practiced in the mornings and offers a soothing, mindful way to wind down in the evenings.

For those that are new to the art of dry body brushing you may notice the skin feel a tingling sensation — this is a natural response of the skin’s sensory receptors. With regular use the skin will desensitise and you’ll likely come to love the energising ‘buzz’ left on the skin.

Benefits

Beyond the skin’s surface lies a network of tissues that allow for the supply of nutrients and removal of toxins. By stimulating the nerves contained in these tissues the body responds by increasing it’s circulation of nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood that provides energy and vitality to the cells.

Not only this, the process of cell turnover and cellular renewal is enhanced, dead skin cells and impurities are lifted away through gentle exfoliation and natural oils are brought to the skin surface encouraging clean, clear skin with a youthful and healthy appearance. Over time, even fat deposits in the connective tissue can be gently broken down as a result of the increased stimulation and circulation, leaving the skin texture to appear more smooth, plump and toned.

Above all, this mindful self-care practice is a chance to support the nervous system whilst encouraging lymphatic flow and boosting the circulatory system.

Dry body brushing is a simple addition to your daily routine, pair it with movement, nourishment and hydration and you’ll find that a holistic beauty and wellbeing regime has never been easier.

Our collection of artisanally crafted sandalwood body brushes from The Wooed are available to purchase here.

Written by Brooke Josland.