Written by Alicia Lartey
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If you have suddenly become a bodycare fanatic or mastered the art of dealing with pesky strawberry skin, then this one is for you! Body brushing has been a technique used in the beauty industry for as long as time and originates from Ayurvedic medicine which has been practiced for over 3000 years.
But what exactly is dry brushing? Dry brushing refers to the technique of using a densely coarse bristled brush to exfoliate dry skin. The tool is used in small swooping motions to exfoliate target areas of the skin. The fibres of these dry brushes are often natural but some can be synthetic.
If you are looking for a gentle and calming exfoliation experience, dry brushing is not that. It does feel particularly scratchy and for those with sensitive skin, active acne or inflamed eczema it might not be high on your list. One concern that dry brushing is ideal for is keratosis pilaris also known as strawberry skin or even KP for short. Strawberry skin appears as small little bumps at the base of the hair follicle. These bumps are due to a buildup of keratin and other debris which makes exfoliation the perfect management technique. Aside from strawberry skin, dry brushing is also used to help remove stubborn dead skin cells. Secondary benefits of dry brushing include lymphatic drainage and alleged reduction in cellulite.
Body brushing fanatic and founder of Supernova Body Cecile Stefanova shared her step by step guide on body brushing:
1. Choose the right brush: Opt for a brush with natural bristles, preferably made from materials like sisal, boar bristle, or cactus. The bristles should be firm but not too stiff to avoid causing skin irritation.
2. Technique is key: Begin with dry, clean skin. Focusing on each body part for a few minutes, start at your feet and work your way upward, brushing towards your heart in long, upward strokes. Use gentle pressure and avoid brushing too vigorously, especially on sensitive areas.
3. Use circular or sweeping motion: moving in the direction towards your heart, and pay extra attention to areas with dry skin, or lymph nodes.
4. Shower afterwards: After dry brushing, it’s a good idea to take a shower to rinse off the dead skin cells and any loosened impurities. Follow up with a moisturiser to nourish and hydrate your skin.
Cecile recommends dry brushing a few times a week to experience benefits such as a reduction in pigmentation and noticeably smoother skin.
Finding the right body brushes can be particularly difficult with the Keys Soulcare Brush being the only acceptable recommendation on the market to date.
Sharing the same sentiment Cecile embarked on a journey to create her own: ‘I’ve spent years looking for the perfect dry body brush. I wanted one that had the right bristles firmness, with a handle long enough that could reach the back fully, while still being relatively compact’.
