What is the Difference Between Dry Brushing and Wet Brushing?
As the names suggest, the main difference between dry exfoliating and wet brushing is that while wet brushing requires water, dry exfoliation doesn’t.
Dry skin brushing involves moving a dry brush on your dry skin in specific motions. It’s done with the aim of getting rid of dead skin cells and improving circulation in the skin.
Wet brushing, on the other hand, involves scrubbing your skin with an exfoliation tool such as a wet skin brush, a loofah, or a washcloth using water.
Dry skin brushing is done before taking a shower or bath, while wet exfoliation is part of showering or bathing.
How Do You Dry Brush Your Skin?
First of all, you’ll need to get a dry brush with bristles, preferably made from natural fibers. Natural fiber bristles are softer than synthetic bristles, and will, therefore, be less harsh on your skin. It’s better to use a brush with a long detachable handle that enables you to reach all parts of your body.
To dry brush your entire body, you’ll need to go through the following steps:
- Start with the bottom of your feet. Brush in circular motions, heading towards the heels.
- Move on to the legs, using upward motions. Brush one leg at a time.
- Brush your stomach in circular, clockwise motions. For your mid-section, always brush from the back towards the front, maintaining an upward movement.
- For your hands and arms, stroke the brush towards the shoulders.
How Do You Wet Brush Your Skin?
Wet exfoliation can be as simple as using a wet brush, loofah, or washcloth and water to scrub your skin. To wet brush, you should:
- Begin from the top of your body, working from your neck downwards.
- Rub your skin gently in circular motions. That loosens up the dead cells and dirt on the skin's surface. Scrub down to the ankles then move to your back.
- Brush the arms, hands, heels, and soles of your feet.
- Rinse your skin with cold water, which closes your pores.
The Benefits of Body Brushing
Lymphatic Stimulation – The motion of dry brushing the skin can help stimulate the normal lymph flow in the body. This encourages drainage of the lymphatic system which is the bodies way of getting rid of toxins. So in summary it can help your body get rid of waste more efficiently.
Immune Boosting – Your lymphatic system supports your immune system because the Lymph carries the white blood cells throughout your body. The white blood cells can then help the body to destroy viruses, bacteria, and other potentially harmful toxins.
Reduction in Cellulite – The increased blood circulation and exfoliation can leave the skins surface feeling and looking smoother, therefore the appearance of cellulite is reduced.
Reduction of Ingrown Hairs – Sometimes ingrown hairs are caused by too much dead skin debris, which blocks the hair follicle. The hair then starts to grow sideways. So the exfoliation of regular body brushing can prevent the build up of dead skin and therefore less ingrowing hairs should appear.
Energy Boost – Brushing your body with a firm brush creates a brilliant wake-up call for your skin in the morning, it helps to stimulate a boost in your blood circulation making you feel more energized and ready for the day ahead.
Reduction of Dry and Flaky Skin – When your skin feels and looks dry, this is often by a build up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. The process of the dry brushing will help to remove these dead skin cells, naturally exfoliating the skin. This results in the skin quickly feeling and appearing smoother and softer.
Choosing between dry and wet exfoliation may be a matter of personal preference. That said, skin that's broken or has cuts, sores, sunburns, or scrapes should not be brushed. Also, avoid using a dry brush if you have skin conditions such as eczema, acne, or excessively dry skin. If your skin gets inflamed easily, it’s better to avoid any harsh exfoliating action. This means that you may have to stick with gentle, wet brushing. Brushing is generally safer for those with oily and normal skin than those with dry skin.
At the end of the day, both methods are a great way to avoid chemical exfoliates if you're more inclined towards natural skincare regimens.