Passing a long-bristled brush on dry skin allows you to exfoliate it, reducing the presence of unnecessary dead cells. However, doing it too often or too aggressively can cause skin irritation and infections. Before you begin, learn about this procedure and the best tools to perform it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for the Proceedings
Step 1. Find out what to expect
Like many other cosmetic procedures, dry brushing has several benefits. However, not all enthusiastic views on this matter have a scientific basis. Be well informed so that you don't exfoliate your skin too often or unnecessarily.
- The effects on blood circulation are still a matter of debate, but dry brushing exfoliates the skin, meaning it removes dead cells. However, if you are a teenager or just over 20, it is not always necessary to practice exfoliation regularly. The skin is young enough to automatically expel dead cells. From age 30 and up, they may not remove on their own, so dry exfoliation can help.
- Dry exfoliation can affect cellulite, but it does not eliminate or reduce it. Temporarily improves the appearance of the skin making it more turgid and compact. As a result, dry brushing before going to the beach can be ideal for feeling comfortable and good about yourself, but the effect will wear off within 24 hours.
- Many beauty and wellness sites recommend brushing dry skin twice a day, but this can be harmful. When the skin is brushed too aggressively or too often, the bristles cause micro-cuts that can easily become infected. Also, doing dry exfoliation more than once a week damages the skin's protective barrier, causing dryness and irritation.
- Dry exfoliation affects skin disorders. People with eczema or chronic dryness should avoid this procedure, as they are more prone to the complications outlined above. However, if you have a condition called keratosis pilare (symptoms of which are inflamed skin with rough, red bumps), dry exfoliation can remove the dead cells that cause these bumps.
Step 2. Choose the brushes
If you have weighed the pros and cons, and then decide that this treatment is right for you, you need to select the brushes you will use.
- You will need a brush with natural bristles and a long handle. You can find it on the internet or in a cosmetics store.
- The longer the handle, the better. It has to go to hard-to-reach places on the body, such as the back.
- Choose a stiff bristled brush. Those of cactus or in any case of plant derivation are ideal for dry exfoliation. If you're not sure, ask a saleswoman for advice.
- For delicate areas such as the face, abdomen and breasts, choose a handleless brush with slightly softer bristles.
Step 3. Determine when to dry exfoliate and how often
Before you start, you need to decide at what time of day to make it.
- Many experts recommend doing it in the morning, before a shower. This is because dry exfoliation is thought to give an energy boost, so it is believed that it can recharge at the start of the day.
- Remember not to brush your skin too often. Some dry exfoliation enthusiasts do this treatment daily or twice a day, but it is not necessary, in fact it can cause skin infections, dryness and irritation. It is safer to repeat this every two weeks.
Part 2 of 3: Begin the Dry Exfoliation Process
Step 1. Exfoliate the skin on a tiled surface
Most people prefer to do this treatment in the shower cubicle. During the process, flakes of dead skin will fall off, so you need to do this on a surface that you can easily clean or wash after the treatment is complete.
Step 2. Start with your feet and work your way up your legs
For this part of the procedure, use a long-handled brush. Dry exfoliation must start from the lower part of the body and continue upwards.
- Make large, even strokes with the brush. Proceed from the bottom up: each brushing must be done in the direction of the heart.
- If you have problems with your balance, rest your leg on a stool or on the edge of the bathtub.
- Pay particular attention to rougher areas, such as the ankles and soles of the feet. Brush them several times to make sure you get rid of dead skin cells completely.
Step 3. Move towards your arms and torso
Continue working with the long-handled brush. After treating the legs, move on to the arms. Remember that the process is very similar. You have to go in the direction of the heart with each brush.
- Start with your hands and work your way up to the shoulders. Again, make sweeping, even strokes with the brush.
- Pay particular attention to rough areas, such as the elbows. Make sure you get rid of dead skin cells completely.
- Switch to the back. It can be complicated because some areas are difficult to reach. Make sure you choose a brush that is long enough to be able to touch the middle of the back and other less accessible areas. Work from the buttocks to the shoulder blades.
- Finally, move on to the bust and hips. Brush the rib cage, moving towards the heart. Sideways, proceed from the hips to the armpits.
Step 4. Dry brush sensitive areas
Set the long-handled brush aside and take the soft-bristled brush. Move on to more delicate parts of the skin.
- Dry brush the face with limited and delicate movements. Work from the forehead to the neck.
- The nipples and breasts should also be treated with a softer brush to avoid irritating the skin.
- If you want to brush all over your body, you may want to use a softer brush to avoid unnecessary irritation of the skin.
Part 3 of 3: After the Treatment
Step 1. After dry exfoliation, take a shower
If you do the treatment at a time of the day when you are not in the habit of showering, it is still a good idea to wash yourself after completing it. Dead cell residues can be removed with water.
- Someone recommends alternating between hot and cold water to promote blood circulation even more, but it is not necessary. If you prefer to take a normal shower at a temperature that is tolerable for the skin, there is no problem.
- After you shower, pat your skin rather than scrubbing it. She may be particularly sensitive at this point, so you need to avoid causing irritation or infection.
- Apply a natural oil to replenish the sebum lost during the treatment and shower. You can use rosehip or coconut.
Step 2. After exfoliation, clean the treatment surface and brushes
- If you've exfoliated your skin in the shower cubicle, cleaning is easy, as dead skin cells will go down the drain with water. If you have done the treatment on a tiled floor, pick up the flakes with a broom and throw them in the trash.
- Brushes should always be dry. Do not hang them in the shower stall, where they will get wet and be exposed to mold. Keep them elsewhere.
- Brushes need to be washed from time to time. Use a small amount of shampoo or liquid soap. Wash the bristles and dab as much as possible after washing. Hang them in a safe place to dry, away from any exposure to water.
Step 3. Mark the dates on which you do the treatment
Remember that dry exfoliation can cause various skin problems if it is repeated too often. Report on your calendar or mobile. Before repeating it, wait at least two weeks. Many people recommend doing it once or twice a day, but this increases the chances of getting skin infections and inflammation.
Advice
- Go over problem areas twice, first with a long-handled brush and second with a softer, no-handle brush. The feet and elbows are particularly prone to having dry and cracking skin.
- It is not necessary to brush hard. A gentle exfoliation is preferable to an aggressive one.
