How to Dry Brush Your Body & Bikini Line

Why it's good to dry brush your skin

Dry brushing is a powerful way to exfoliate and detoxify the skin. The Bushbalm™ Nordic Dry Brush is made with firm, natural fibres that gently massage the skin. The Nordic Dry Brush will improve blood circulation, smooth out the appearance of cellulite,  increase the skin's ability to take on moisturizers and of course exfoliate the skin.

What are the benefits of Dry Brushing?

We talked to a board certified aesthetician, Dr. Ruth Arumala, about the benefits of dry brushing. Here’s what she had to say:

Helps with lymphatic support

The lymphatic system is an alternative system in the body that returns fluid back into the bloodstream. Dry brushing has been shown to support lymphatic return.       

Perks you up! 

Dry brushing allows you to have a particular zest in your day-to-day living.  

Opens up the pores

Dry brushing opens up the pores so the skin can fully ingest whatever you’re treating your skin with. The dry brush can be used in conjunction with treatment oils, body washes, exfoliating scrubs and body moisturizers, to make your products more effective.

Increase blood circulation 

Good circulation is important for your body in that it helps oxygen and nutrients move to the various parts of your body. Additionally, the process helps remove unwanted toxins from your system.

Boost skin regeneration 

Skin regeneration is the process by which the skin sheds dead skin cells to replace them with new skin cells. In our youth, the skin will regenerate fairly quickly (within approximately 28 days). As we age, the skin regeneration process slows down significantly. The issue is that the longer the skin takes to regenerate, the more time dead skin cells will rest on the surface of the skin. The more dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, the more dull your skin will appear. 

Dry brushing  will speed up the shedding process by physically removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

How to dry brush effectively 

1. Prior to showering or bathing use the brush while dry.
2. Start at your feet and brush upwards towards your heart. This is a full body experience, so make sure to get your entire body. 
3. After dry brushing, hop in the shower to clean off you skin. You should feel an invigorating sensation. 
4. Moisturize the skin within 2 minutes of hoping out of the shower, as your skin is most absorbent at this time. 

How often to dry brush 

It is recommended to dry brush 2 to 4 times a week. Dry brushing more often could irritate the skin. The risk of sensitivity will depend on your skin type, so always check in with yourself to see how often you should dry brush. 

Treating your skin after dry brushing 

Regardless of when you dry brush, it's extremely important to follow up with a shower, and then apply a moisturizing product, like a hydrating oil. The dry brush will open up the pores so the skin will drink in the treatment oil. 

Dry Brushing FAQ's 

Using a dry brush while pregnant 

Please consult your doctor for best advice on pregnancy. From our experience it's highly recommended to avoid your tummy, as during pregnancy you are looking to moisturize the skin as it expands. Dry brushing would exfoliate and is likely to cause irritation on the tummy. However, dry brushing other areas of your body is recommended to increase circulation. Again, listen to your body as during pregnancy you may have extra sensitive skin and dry brushing won't be encouraged. 

Dry Brushing and Razor Bumps

To combat razor bumps it's recommend to work on preventing them entirely. One method is to use a dry brush, usually made with more gentle jute material, to help draw out hairs in your skin. This can lead to better hair regrowth leading to less razor burn and irritation. 

Using a dry brush on your face

It's not recommended to use a rough dry brush on your face. To understand what option is best look for face specific dry brushes, as body brushes made of Sisal or Jute will likely cause too much irritation to the face. 

Cleaning your dry brush

1. Add water to a shallow bowl.
2. Add some natural soap or tea tree oil drops to the water.
3. After steps 2, rub the brush into the water and soap, but avoid the wooden handle (wood and water don't mesh)
4. After this use another bowl with just water where you can rinse the brush.
5. Let the dry brush sit and dry. 

How often to clean a dry brush 

Clean your dry brush every couple of weeks by washing it with soap and water and then hanging it up to dry. Depending on frequency of use this appears to be the most common timeline for cleaning and is a quick process. 

How often to replace your dry brush

You should replace your dry brush every 2-3 months, as dead skin cells will build up. Regularly cleaning will extend a dry brushes life, but the bristles will naturally soften and fall out. 

Dry brushing and working out 

Try dry brushing for a couple of minutes before you begin a workout and you'll find that it will help intensify the detox effect. Whether you are doing a HIIT class, running, spinning, or just headed to the gym, get out your dry brush a couple of minutes before you start the workout, and get the full benefit of sweating and detoxing your skin.

Doing this before a workout, instead of after or before a shower is going to open up your pores. By opening up your pores, your body will eliminate more toxins throughout the workout. This makes dry brushing another way to enhance your workout!