✓ I brush my hair.

✓ I brush my teeth.

✓ I brush my skin. Yes you read the correctly… and not with the same brush btw…

Dry brushing, also known as Garshana is a Ayurvedic massage using natural silk gloves or a dry brush for skin. A great part of a daily self care routine best done in the mornings before a shower. Show your skin some love and care!

Benefits of Dry Brushing

• Exfoliates skin by removing dead skin cells and revealing fresh new skin. Skin feels softer and smoother with regular use.
• Supports the Lymphatic System (part of the Circulatory and Immune Systems)which has the important job of removing toxins from the body and preventing illness. The Lymphatic System has lymph vessels that are close to the skin that carry a clear liquid called lymph towards the heart. This is why dry brushing in long and firm strokes towards the heart can help the lymph flow and also detoxify the body.
• Reduces cellulite by smoothing out fat deposits under the skin, and reducing the bumpy appearance skin may have. The removal of toxins from the body may also improve cellulite.
• Increase circulation and energy by helping blood flow through the Circulatory System with brush strokes towards the heart. This often results in an invigorated and energetic feeling [like a shot of espresso], which is why it is best done in the mornings. This can also help to prevent varicose veins.
• Improves Keratosis Pilaris (aka “chicken skin” which looks like small bumps usually found on the back of arms or legs). These small bumps are hair follicles full of keratin. While dry brushing can help smooth out the skin, Keratosis Pilaris is often an internal condition to be treated (ex. lack of vitamin A) that shows externally on the skin.

How to Dry Brush Properly

Find a good quality dry brush with natural bristles (no synthetics) or unbleached raw silk gloves. There is also a vegan dry brush made of cactus bristles. The brush with the removable handle is wonderful because the handle is really only used for hard to reach places like the back. For the rest of the body, I remove the handle and hold the brush head in my hand.

Stand in empty tub or shower to prevent a snow storm of dead skin cells on the floor. Get butt naked 🙂 [well that escalated quickly…]. Don’t turn on the water… this is a “dry brush” after all. Remember to always brush toward the heart at the center of the body. Do not brush back and forth or away from the heart as this is preventing optimal lymph and blood flow towards the heart. Strokes should be long and firm, but should not hurt or scratch the skin. Do not brush skin that has a rash, wound, sunburn, or infection.

Begin with the bottoms of the feet and up the legs in long firm strokes. About 5-10 strokes on the same part of the body. Use small circles around ankles and knees. When I began dry brushing I did 5 strokes to get used to the feeling and now I usually do 10. Skin will feel tingly and may look pink.

Continue on to your hands and move up the arms, including the underarms. Use long firm strokes on the arms and small circles around wrists, elbows and shoulders.

Next, brush the back in long firm strokes from shoulders to hips. This is where the brush handle comes in handy, unless you’ve got a hubby or family member to help!

Finally, brush the stomach in a clockwise direction (as if the 12 of the clock was under your chest). This is to encourage movement from the intestines to the colon. Do not brush the genitals, chest, neck, or face in keeping with traditional Ayurvedic dry brushing technique. If choosing to brush these sensitive areas, do so gently. Try a specific dry brush made for the face with softer bristles.

Rinse off or continue with regular shower routine. It is important to rinse off the dead skin cells still on the body. Apply natural lotion or your favourite carrier oil (sweet almond oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, hemp seed oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil) to skin afterwards.

Psst… some extra tips

Clean that dry brush! Think about all those dead skin cells and germies in there. Find out how here.

Do not brush too hard! If skin is red, scratched, or it is painful to do, then use less pressure. Strokes should be long and firm.

Dry brushing also helps when transitioning to natural deodorant. It opens up pores and also helps the Lymphatic System remove toxins.

Happy Dry Brushing 🙂

Have you ever tried dry brushing? What benefits did you experience?