If you read any beauty, fashion or natural remedy magazines or blogs, you have probably heard of dry brushing. If you haven’t, well let me tell you about my experience. First, I am not licensed to do anything but drive a car, so any advice I give is just that: advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any ailments. Now that we have the fine print out of the way, we’ll get to the fun part.
Dry brushing is basically self explanatory. It is a stiff, natural brush attached to a long handle. Mine also detaches from the handle. (I bought it off Amazon – See link here.) It has dropped in price since I bought it and at this time was less than $10. I don’t get any kick backs, so if you choose to purchase a brush, go wherever you like.
I was so excited when it arrived (in January, of course, in time for all those New Year’s resolutions)! I opened it up and touched the bristles and thought “Ouch! This can’t be right. This will tear my skin to shreds !” “Maybe it has to be broken in?” I thought. On what? A cement floor. Certainly not on my fair, sensitive skin.
The brush came with a tag and some instructions and I googled “dry brushing” and came across a few videos on how to use it properly. Around the same time I was also taking some online health classes and one of them focused on dry brushing. So, I decided to give it a go. I followed the directions and used the brush by stroking it lightly (very lightly at first) in motions that were directed toward your heart. The brushing is not only supposed to provide physical results, but is supposed to help in many different areas of your overall health. One of the benefits was also to help with the look of cellulite and as I became more accustomed to the roughness of the bristles, I can tell you I scrubbed the heck out of the back of my thighs!
Has it changed my body? I typically only use it about once a week before I shower in the morning. I have noticed that my skin is not as ashy and a a bit softer. As for the cellulite – who knows. But, what has changed is that I feel invigorated after I complete a dry brushing. It wakes me up, feels like my blood is pumping and I do feel a little healthier and definitely more awake. I followed up by getting a face dry brush, which is thankfully softer. 🙂 (See that brush here) Be sure to follow up with a lotion or moisturizer. Having your skin exfoliated by the brush will make the product absorb much better as well.
Do not keep this brush in your shower or get it wet and it is easier on your skin if you use it on completely dry skin. I’m not saying this brush will change your life, but for a small investment and a few minutes of your time, you can feel like you are doing something for yourself and be more awake when you are a little sluggish in the mornings! No caffeine needed!
