There’s something about beauty rituals that date back millennia – these simple rituals often prove to be the most effective. For instance, dry brushing your body. Also referred to as dry scrubbing, it is a traditional Ayurvedic beauty practice, with mentions of it even found in the Vedas. The dry brushing technique was also incredibly popular with ancient Egyptians and was subsequently adopted by the Romans and Greeks, who made it a mainstay at their famous bathhouses.
"Dry brushing is the process of brushing your skin with natural bristles. It can aid in the removal of flaky skin while increasing circulation, detoxification and digestion," explains Dr Ruby Tandon, aesthetic dermatologist, co-founder and medical director at REVIV India.
What are the benefits of dry brushing?
The act of vigorously dry brushing skin before you rinse your body is one of the best ways to start the day. With this process, you physically scrub away the layer of dead skin cells, encourage cell turnover and keep ingrown hair and strawberry legs at bay.
"It's a simple and effective way to exfoliate your skin while detoxifying and improving lymphatic function. It also enhances skin texture, luminosity and suppleness; reduces the effects of stress on the body and promotes weight management by supporting healthy metabolism,” Dr Tandon explains.
Dry brushing benefits also extend to being an act of self-care wherein you take some time to focus on your body. Committing to fifteen minutes of dry brushing can end up being a meditative ritual for you to reflect on your day.
How do I master this age-old practice?
A word of caution – dry brushing might feel a bit abrasive when you're trying it for the first time. Ayurvedic dry brushing was traditionally done using raw silk or linen gloves. Chinese practitioners used loofahs made from dried silk squash often mixed with sesame oil. Today, most people prefer using a dry bristle brush. "The bristles of the dry brush should be natural, not synthetic, and preferably vegetable-derived. The bristles should be stiff but not too hard," says Dr Tandon. It is recommended to use a dry brush with a long handle so you can easily get to all parts of your body.
Dry brushing is best done in the morning before bathing on dry skin sans any lotion or oil. Start the process at your feet, moving up your legs to the rest of your body. Avoid the face as a dry bristle brush can be quite harsh. In wide, circular strokes, always in a clockwise direction, begin brushing your body. Increase pressure in areas where your skin is tough. Don't scrub too hard though. Your skin should be revitalised and stimulated but not irritated or red. Once you are done with brushing your body, hop in to a lukewarm to cool shower. All the dead skin cells caused by the exfoliation from dry brushing will get washed away. Make sure to moisturise your skin well after dry brushing. You can either use a body oil in the shower or a hydrating moisturiser after, or both – depending on how dry your skin gets.
How often could I practice this body care ritual?
Given all its benefits, it might be tempting to dry brush your body often. However, it can be an abrasive process, especially if you have sensitive skin, and therefore it's best to tread with caution. "Just once, thrice a week is sufficient," advises Dr Tandon. "Begin with once a week and gradually increase the frequency as your skin adapts."
Can anyone try this?
"Anyone with dull, lacklustre skin can benefit from this treatment, as well as people with sluggish skin and body post-winter," says Dr Tandon. But it must be avoided in some cases. For instance, anyone with sensitive skin or a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema should steer clear of this practice. Skip the areas around open wounds, and in cases of sunburns, irritation, or open wounds, avoid the affected area completely.
A golden rule of thumb is to take regular stock of every skincare ritual that you adopt and keep a tab on your body’s reactions to any new practice. "If your skin appears irritated by your newly adopted dry brush routine, dial down the frequency or stop dry brushing altogether," advises Dr Tandon. “Be realistic about your expectations and pay attention to your skin. If you have any persistent skin problems, visit a dermatologist."
