Dry brushing for lymphatic drainage is a practice that began in India thousands of years ago. Since then it’s become a popular way to stimulate healthy body functions. Learn why here.
Dry brushing is a type of body massage originating from Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a natural medicine system with a long history. It began in the continent of India and is based on the idea of aligning imbalances in the body.
Dry brushing is one method of Ayurveda designed to stimulate the body’s fire element. It is done using a dry, stiff brush. The brushing gently exfoliates the skin and stimulates the lymphatic system, which is responsible for circulating excess fluid in the body. Dry brushing for lymphatic drainage is thought to reduce inflammation and balance matter that builds up in tissue.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Dry Brushing
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Mariolh)
Benefits
Dry brushing may relieve lymphatic congestion, which reduces inflammation and increases lymphatic flow. Various studies show that dry brushing for lymphatic drainage can help with:
Massage in general has been shown to relieve stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate. So adding dry brushing to your well-being routine can have many benefits.
Drawbacks
Incorrect dry brushing can have some drawbacks. For instance:
- Brushing too often can cause skin irritation
- Brushing can aggravate eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea
- Brushing on damaged or sunburnt skin can lead to infection
Best Sustainable Tools for Dry Brushing
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / SpaVästkusten)
Many companies have developed body brushes and mitts you can use for dry brushing. Here’s a few sustainable brands that you might consider:
Elytrum is a sustainable brand that offers ethically made vegan beauty products. Their brushes are made from 100% plant fibers. Unlike a traditional dry brush, they use handmade loops of sisal or jute fiber for their brushes. All Elytrum brushes are plastic-free and compostable. You can buy body, feet, and face brushes through their website. They deliver to the US, UK, and Europe.
Acala is a woman-owned company offering a range of zero waste and plastic-free beauty products. They’re currently part of a carbon offsetting scheme, planting up to 80 trees per month. They sell dry brushes made from Tampico plant fibers. Their products are vegan and plastic-free.
Eco Tools is an online vegan beauty retailer. Their products are cruelty-free and come in biodegradable packaging. Their brushes are available to buy on Amazon**. It comes with a handmade handle and uses synthetic bristles.
A few other plant-based dry brushes worth considering:
- INOTKA cellulite dry brush – available on Amazon**
- Belula Koniac brush – available on Amazon **
- Carelav vegan dry brush – available on Amazon **
How to Practice Dry Brushing for Lymphatic Drainage
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / TesaPhotography)
Now that you have your tools for dry brushing, let’s move on to the best method for lymphatic drainage. Firstly, you should only do dry brushing for lymphatic drainage once or twice a week. Some people do it daily, but when you get started, it’s better to go slowly to see how your body reacts. You should notice that the texture and smoothness of your skin improves in just a few weeks. You don’t need to shower before brushing (though you can) and you can do it anytime that suits you. Some people also use body oils to dry brush, but it’s fine to do it without.
Instructions:
- Choose the area of your body you want to start with. It’s usually a good idea to start at the feet and work up.
- Apply long strokes in an upward motion.
- Start with low pressure to see how it feels before moving to medium pressure.
- Brush up in sections 3 to 5 times. You can overlap between each area and go over each section more than once.
- Don’t forget to brush the back of your hands and joints. You can use a shorter sweeping motion over these areas.
- Around the neck and face or delicate areas, you should reduce pressure or choose a softer brush.
When you’ve finished brushing, it’s a good idea to moisturize. You can take a shower either before or after. Then moisturize to hydrate your skin. But applying moisturizer to wet skin works best.
Final Tips
Dry brushing is a classical beauty ritual that’s been around for thousands of years. It is an easy way to improve circulation and other bodily processes.
Here’s a few tips to keep in mind when dry brushing:
- Choose a brush to match your skin. If you have sensitive skin, always go for softer bristles.
- Brushing should be gentle. Dry brushing for lymphatic drainage should not be painful.
- Stick to it. Even if you don’t see results straight away, dry brushing is a process and takes time.
Read on:
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- 8 Yoga Alternatives With Similar Benefits
Important Information regarding Health-related Topics.
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