The Benefits of Dry Body Brushing and Why You Should Be Doing It

woman wearing a white robe, dry brushing her legs

Dreamstime

June 2022

Reading time 3 Minutes

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Dry body brushing has long been acknowledged as a way of improving the appearance of cellulite. But there are other benefits to regular brushing too

Whilst cellulite is totally normal, experts agree that regular and firm brushing with a bristle brush does help to improve the appearance of cellulite’s lumps and bumps, which afflict so many of us, by helping to break down and distribute fatty deposits more evenly.

And whilst it can’t make cellulite disappear, by stimulating and boosting circulation and encouraging lymph flow brushing helps metabolise trapped fluid and toxins in the fat layer which contribute to the dimpling effect of cellulite.

Cellulite forms when fat cells beneath the skin push up against the connective tissue causing the ‘orange peel’ or puckering you can see. It’s usually found on the thighs, bottom, tummy and hips, but you can also get cellulite on your arms and it has nothing to do with diet or exercise – and sadly, it affects 90 percent of all women.

Unlike men, who have a more rigid, criss-cross connective cell structure, women’s fat cells are held in far less restrictive, chamber-like structures which allow the fat cells to push nearer to the surface.

And rather than being directly connected to your lifestyle or your weight, your real likelihood of developing cellulite depends on genetics, hormones, how much collagen and oestrogen you have in your skin, and your age. And even though most women do have cellulite, how it shows will differ from person-to-person.

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'Brush in upward strokes, initially from your ankles working your way upwards, always including shins, calves and front and back of thighs and bum, and always brush towards your heart. Brush the arms upwards from forearm towards the armpit where there is a collection of vital lymph nodes'

woman wearing green towel dry brushing her arms

You can decide on the pressure but try and be as firm as possible for best results. For anyone with sensitive skin it might be worth trying to build up tolerance by brushing just a few times a week initially. For anyone with a skin condition such as psoriasis, sadly it’s probably better to avoid dry brushing at all in order to avoid aggravating the condition.

Dry brushing will also remove dead skin cells and encourage new cell growth meaning your skin will soon start to look healthier, and the improvement to your circulation will also help its appearance. For some, the methodic brushing action is a stress reliever, but for most, the secondary benefit is just generally feeling better and the added benefit of having healthy, glowing skin.

Brushing done, make sure to jump in the shower to remove the dead skin cells. If you can, turn the shower to cold just before you step out to boost circulation further. It’s also important to slather on a moisturiser post-brushing to keep skin soft and supple.