Dry Brushing Lose Weight

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Rebecca is a contributing writer for where she specializes in all things nails. She has worked in beauty editorial for seven years.

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Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. 

As far as at-home body treatments go, dry brushing is undeniably one of the best. Not only does it encourage lymphatic drainage to help the body flush out excessive fluids and, therefore, temporarily give it a more toned and slim appearance, but it has a myriad of other benefits, too. It improves skin texture by physically buffing rough spots and even improves the appearance of cellulite. Yes, you read that right.

If you're skeptical, we feel you. Not all cellulite treatments work, despite how many miracle in a bottle body lotions and creams we've heard about. And while there are a few high-tech (and pricier) treatments that show promise, the more accessible modalities prove to be mostly for naught. Dry brushing, on the other hand, does temporarily work when done consistently and with the correct technique.

The Truth About Dry Brushing

Below, three board-certified dermatologists and an Ayurvedic expert share everything there is to know about the ancient body care treatment. From what it entails and how to do it to the potential side effects and how often it should be done, keep scrolling to learn more.

Dry brushing is an exfoliation technique that uses a soft-bristle, often palm-sized brush to slough away dead skin cells and effectively stimulate circulation and lymphatics in the process.

—is the Ayurvedic practice of massaging dry skin for health, ” says Shadoh Punnapuzha, the founder of Ayurvedic beauty brand Taïla. According to Punnapuzha, the technique originated in India over 5, 000 years ago and is recommended as a necessary routine in the holistic medicinal science of Ayurveda thanks to how beneficial it is in preserving health and a youthful body. “This ancient practice is very much a part of daily beauty routines throughout India, even today, ” she adds.

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To start, who doesn’t love smoother, softer skin? Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, says that, through exfoliation, “dry brushing improves skin appearance by removing the top layers of the skin through weakening the lipids that bond them together, thus removing dull and dead skin cells and revealing healthy skin cells.”

Beyond the visible, complexion-polishing benefits of dry brushing, Punnapuzha points out that the practice can be great emotionally as well. Since dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system and helps to rapidly rid the body of toxins, she says that it can induce an incredibly calming experience and is a great way to relieve stress and relax muscles.

According to Dr. Green, dry brushing can help improve the appearance of cellulite, but the result is only a temporary visual result, rather than a permanent improvement. “Having increased circulation from dry brushing will cause vasodilation (that’s when your capillaries widen, causing an increased amount of blood flow in the area), ” she explains. “This will cause a temporary plumping up of the skin, making your cellulite appear less visible.”

How Do I Lose The Cellulite?

Cellulite is the stippled appearance created by your fat and fibrous bands throughout the fat, says Dr. Siegel. As fat cells increase, they push up against the skin. Tough, long connective cords pull down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling, referred to as cellulite.

With that being said, gentle dry bruhing certainly won't make dry brushing worse, and it is believed in Ayurveda that the practice can deliver an actual improvement. Practitioners like Punnapuzha say that dry brushing helps to gently dissolve cellulite by breaking up fat deposits and preventing new cellulite from forming because the massage improves the circulation of the lymph areas that are prone to cellulite.

While dermatologists and Ayurvedists disagree when it comes to the specific science of dry brushing, all of the experts agree that, when done correctly, dry brushing can reduce the appearance of cellulite (at least temporarily). And luckily, the process is fairly easy to master. “To perform dry brushing you can use ubtans (herbal pastes), loofahs, dry brush, or silk gloves, ” Punnapuzha says.

Tighten Your Skin And Get Rid Of Cellulite!

Some devotees tout that, with regular dry brushing of two to four times per week, the skin appears smoother and firmer, thus reducing the overall appearance of cellulite in the short term. Dr. Zalka says dry brushing would be best achieved by following with a warm bath or shower and then completing the process with an immediate generous application of moisturizing oil, cream, or lotion.”

You might be wondering: how does dry brushing differ from manual exfoliation? The two are undoubtedly pretty similar, though dry brushing tends to get a bit deeper into the skin, thereby aiding in increased circulation. “This could be attributed to improved lymphatic flow, stimulating the blood flow within the skin and soft tissue, and massaging adipose tissue and the fibrous bands, which make up the cellulite deposits, ” explains Dr. Zalka.

As many of us know, all good things come with a price. When it comes to dry brushing, Dr. Zalka says that vigorous dry brushing can cause skin sensitivity and even abrasions if not done with care, and overzealous dry brushing can lead to prolonged peeling and redness of the skin. Punnapuzha says this is especially true for anyone who already experiences inflamed skin conditions like eczema, chronically dry skin, and psoriasis.

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While those side effects can be scary, Dr. Green wants us to remember that, at the end of the day, there is nothing wrong with dry brushing so long as you’re not overdoing it. Just keep in mind that, according to Dr. Green, the moment you stop dry brushing regularly, cellulite will come back. “Once your circulation slows down again, so does the ‘plumpness, ’” she says. “With that being said, dry brushing does not reduce cellulite permanently, it just makes it less visible for a short period of time.”

Dermatologists and Ayurvedists agree that when performed correctly, regular dry brushing (two to three times per week) can help improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, and visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Those who practice Ayurveda also believe dry brushing can also help prevent the

Of cellulite. And while dry brushing aficionados swear by this claim, for right now, the current research we have access to only proves that dry brushing can temporarily plump the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite, not permanently erase it or prevent new cellulite from forming. We'll take it!

Brushing Your Skin For Detox & Weight Loss

Takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Can you imagine a daily routine that only takes five minutes, has amazing wellness benefits, is practically free, makes your skin glow and feels really good? Dry brushing has been around for a long time, but this often easy-to-do natural skin care routine is barely practiced today.

Did you know that our skin is considered an organ? It’s true, and as such, it’s the largest organ in the human body.

The skin also has the job of producing antibacterial substances to protect you from infection, and when exposed to the sun, the skin helps your body produce the much-needed vitamin D.

Dry Brushing: Benefits, Risks, And More

It seems that dry brushing has been used for centuries by Scandinavians and Russians. More than 30 years ago, a Finnish doctor by the name of Paavo Airola prescribed this technique for his patients to detoxify, exfoliate and stimulate the skin.

It’s considered part of Ayurvedic medicine and works by exfoliating the skin. Those who use the practice rub a brush over their skin in a particular way, and the brush is usually coarse with natural fibers. The natural fibers help get rid of dead skin and enhance the skin’s ability to detoxify.

When in your teens and 20s, dry brushing isn’t really necessary because the skin automatically renews itself. However, as you get older, it is helpful to exfoliate once or twice week to help renew the skin and remove those dead skin cells so you have a fresher appearance and healthier skin.

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It’s important to do this gently so you do not tear the skin. You don’t want to break down the skin’s protective layer or cause irritation to sensitive skin, which could get infected.

Because your skin