The skin is the largest organ in the human body and the list of its functions is long. Among them, we find in particular the elimination of toxins which is carried out in particular by means of sweat and sebum evacuated via the sebaceous and sweat glands. In total, nearly a quarter of the waste is eliminated through the skin, or 0,5 kilos each day. While this process is natural, dry brushing helps optimize it by helping to eliminate stagnant lymph and unclog pores. Explanations.

Dry brushing, a technique particularly widespread in Asia, consists (as its name suggests) of brushing the body dry, in other words, without using water or any other cosmetic product. Only a brush is enough! Thanks to the latter, the dermis is stimulated and the blood and lymphatic systems, as well as the sebaceous and sweat glands that are there, too.

If such stimulation of the blood system can only be beneficial for the beauty and health of the skin and the body, that of the lymphatic system is all the more important. Indeed, unlike the blood network, the distribution of lymph does not depend on the heart and is only activated by the movement of muscles and breathing, which makes it much slower. Thus, lymphatic drainage often needs to be stimulated in order to prevent lymph from accumulating in the tissues. Dry brushing is one way to achieve this.

: loaded with white blood cells, nutrients and waste, the composition of lymph is similar to that of blood plasma. This body fluid plays an important role in the body’s immune defense and helps the body rid itself of toxins. At rest, about two to four liters of lymph are drained each day, which represents a low flow.

As we were telling you, dry brushing has the art of stimulating the lymphatic network, thus promoting the elimination of toxins and activating the immune system, but its benefits are not limited to that. Indeed, this technique also promotes blood circulation, reduces cellulite, oxygenates and tones tissues, distributes fat, eliminates dead skin, promotes cell regeneration, exfoliates and improves skin texture, allows better penetration of active ingredients. cosmetics used afterwards… In summary, dry brushing represents a real deep cleansing which does not simply sublimate the skin on the surface.

Anyone (or almost) can regularly use dry brushing, which is as suitable for use on oily as it is dry skin. It is also particularly recommended in the event of:

• Water retention ;
• cellulite;
• old scars;
• but also well-established stretch marks.

However, this technique should be avoided if the skin is damaged, irritated, sensitive, sick (eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.), injured, or inflamed and painful. Dry brushing is also not recommended for recent scars or varicose veins, and pregnant women are advised not to brush their stomachs.

Dry brushing can be done once a day – for example in the morning, to wake up the body, or in the evening to relax it before bedtime – for 5 to 10 minutes and using circular motions, neither too firm nor too too light.

Warning: there is no need to force for the brush to do its job correctly. Dry brushing can also be done during the day, to restore tone to the body, or even before a sporting activity in order to warm up the muscles and limit muscle fatigue and aches.

To be effective, the movements of the dry brushing must be done upwards, in the direction of the lymph nodes (in other words, at the level of the groin, armpits, neck, etc.) for a better drainage. Make way for the instructions:

• start from the bottom of the feet, before gradually working your way up the legs until you reach the top of the thighs;
• then start with your hands and make circular movements until you reach the armpits;
• Now proceed to brushing the buttocks and back, always in an upward direction. To reach hard-to-reach areas, you can either ask a third party for help or bring a long-handled brush;
• now place in the stomach, which you will have to brush with delicacy. Then go back up to the chest until you reach the back of your neck;
• To finish dry brushing, rinse with cold water preferably, to further stimulate blood circulation. No need to use soap to keep the skin soft and clean. Hydrate your body afterwards, using vegetable oil for example.

Good to know

On average, it takes three to four weeks of daily use for the results of dry brushing to be visible. However, the sensory and energetic effects can be felt from the first use.

Regarding the choice of brush, the bristles must be neither too soft nor too firm and ideally made of natural fibers. If you prefer it with a handle, you won’t have to bend down or twist when brushing hard-to-reach areas, such as your back.

Good to know : it is not useful to clean your brush after each use, this will damage it in the long run. A fortnightly cleaning with soapy water will suffice.