How to do massage with a dry brush and is there any use from it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Miraculous properties are attributed to this procedure. The life hacker finds out if this is really so.

Why is everyone talking about this massage

Body massage with a dry brush, or brushing, is very popular with beauty bloggers. They assure that the procedure gives noticeable results after just a few sessions.

Here's the effect they promise:

• improves blood flow and lymph flow, due to which edema subsides;
• toxins are removed;
• dead cells are exfoliated, and the skin becomes smooth;
• metabolic processes are normalized;
• digestion improves;
• cellulite and stretch marks disappear;
• blood vessels are strengthened;
• mood improves, and immunity increases;
• the nervous system is restored.

However, all talk about the effectiveness of dry brushing is based only on the personal feelings of bloggers - there is no scientific research on this topic yet. Moreover, doctors not only refute most of the promises, but also warn about the possible harm from the procedure.

How dry brush massage actually works

The essence of such brushing is mechanical action on the epidermis - the upper layer of the skin. Bristles exfoliate dead cells - cosmetologists call this process exfoliation. That is why the procedure is carried out dry: this way the friction is stronger than with wet cleaning, and the particles come off better. In this case, massage movements temporarily increase blood flow.

Exfoliation and a temporary increase in blood supply - this is the real result of massage.

Why most of the promised effects are myths

Myth 1. Dry massage breaks down fat deposits and tones muscles

The dermis, that is, the middle layer of the skin, and the subcutaneous fatty tissue are not involved in brushing. It is even more difficult for the brush to reach the muscles, so it does not affect their tone in any way.

Myth 2. Brashing improves lymph flow

The brush works only on the epidermis, in which there are no lymphatic vessels, which means that it cannot improve lymph flow. In fact, it is provided by muscle contractions, so if you want to avoid stagnant lymph, then just move. 10 minutes spent walking or exercising will benefit your lymphatic system more than the same 10 minutes of brushing.

Myth 3. Cellulite and stretch marks disappear

"Orange peel" occurs when fat cells (adipocytes) held back by connective fibers protrude through the skin. The larger the adipocytes, the weaker the connective tissue, the thinner and more inelastic the skin, the more noticeable the tubercles and depressions. Dry massage cannot change the thickness of fat deposits and does not stimulate collagen production in any way, which means it does not increase skin elasticity. Therefore, he will not remove the "orange peel".

Sometimes you can see claims that brushes break down toxins in tissues and that is how they fight cellulite. But the cause of the problem can be hormones, age, unbalanced diet, physical inactivity and bad habits. The visibility of the result after the massage lies in the effect of light reflection, which Dr. Joshua Zeichner of the Mount Sinai Medical Center talks about. After exfoliation, the skin becomes smoother and reflects light better, making the unevenness less noticeable. But getting rid of them completely with a brush will not work.

Myth 4. Brashing removes toxins

Only the liver and kidneys are responsible for the elimination of toxins in the body. Dry brush massage has nothing to do with it. The procedure does not affect digestion either.

Myth 5. Dry brushing serves to prevent varicose veins

Marina Petrovna Berezko, candidate of medical sciences, surgeon-phlebologist, lymphologist, consultant of Medi company

Varicose veins develop when the walls of the vessels lose their elasticity and deform, and the valves that allow venous blood to pass through cease to perform their function. No massage affects the structure and properties of the tissue of the venous walls or the function of the valves. Therefore, dry brushing is useless in this regard. Moreover, rubbing too hard with a brush, on the contrary, provokes the appearance of vascular networks.

For whom dry brush massage is not suitable

Exfoliation is not always necessary. According to Tina Alster, director of the Washington Institute for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, young skin does the cleansing on its own. It is worth helping her after 30 years.

Sometimes dry massage is not only meaningless, but also harmful. The villi of the brush, especially the hard ones, can injure the epidermis. Rubbing too hard also irritates the skin, deprives it of its protective barrier and makes it drier.

Therefore, the procedure is contraindicated:

• people with any dermatological diseases, be it eczema or hives, as massage will only intensify the symptoms;
• with abrasions: this way you can enlarge the wound and infect;
• with too dry or sensitive skin prone to irritation;
• after sunburn;
• with varicose veins: excessive friction can further damage the vessels.

What are the benefits of dry brushing

Although most of the miraculous properties turned out to be myths, such massage still has some positive effects:

• Well exfoliates old cells, after which the skin looks better. The effect appears gradually, so don't be upset if nothing is noticeable after the first procedure.
• It will help with follicular keratosis. This is the same goose bumps on the thighs and arms that appear due to clogging of hair follicles. Mechanical cleaning, according to dermatologist Mark Glashofer, can remove these plugs.
• Stimulates nerve endings: using a brush in the morning is good for invigorating.

Important: the procedure will be useful only if done correctly.

How to do dry massage

Choose the right brush

Try to touch it in the store to find the optimal bristle stiffness. For a start, it is better to take a softer one so as not to injure the skin.

The softest brush is with synthetic bristles, made from cactus a little rougher, the hardest - from boar bristles. The form can be any, it all depends on your convenience. Some people like the long handle, which makes it easy to massage the back, while others are more comfortable with two small brushes that can be put on your hands.

Before and after the first use, the brush must be rinsed and dried.

What to buy

• A brush with a bristle of cactus and a medium handle from Mixit, 1 495 rubles →
• Brush with cactus bristles and a long handle from TheBodyShop, 1 190 rubles →
• A brush with boar bristle bristles and a removable long handle from Clarette, 503 rubles →
• A brush with a bristle of wild boar bristles and a short handle from Clarette, 259 rubles →
• Hand brush with horsehair bristles from Foerster's, 2 264 rubles →
• Hand brush with synthetic bristles from EcoTools, 400 rubles →
• Brush with synthetic bristles and a long handle from AliExpress, 568 rubles →

Remember the main rules

• Massage dry skin. The brush is also not worth wetting.
• Shower after your procedure to rinse off any exfoliated particles. Contrasting water treatments will enhance the effect and strengthen blood vessels.
• Moisturize your skin. Use a moisturizer or oil-based product, never pure oil. Dr. Yael Adler in “What the Skin Hides. 2 square meters that dictate how we live”explains that it combines with the valuable lipids of our epidermis and simply flushes them out.

Practice the technique

You can massage in a circular motion or straight. There will be no fundamental difference in the effect, the main thing is to move along the lymph, from the limbs to the heart, bypassing the lymph nodes. Do not massage the armpits and knees, inner thighs and chest.

Movements should be soft and pleasant, without excessive pressure. The whole procedure will take 5-10 minutes.

Great news for the lazy: one peeling with a brush per week is enough. More frequent sessions can be harmful: disrupt the protective barrier and moisture balance in the skin.

If you don't have dermatological problems, dry brushing is a good home care option and alternative to a scrub. The main thing is to perform the procedure carefully and not expect much from brushing.