The Benefits Of Dry Brushing For Skin

I really want to do things like exfoliate my legs or moisturize my arms, but I’m just so damn tired and there’s only so much time at night to get things done.

#tiredmom #needavacation

But after reading up on all the benefits of dry brushing for skin and how it can improve overall health, I decided to give my new copper-bristled dry brush a good workout!

Keep reading to find out why I love my ionic dry brush and how to use one in a 5-minute dry brushing routine!

Benefits Of Dry Brushing

So why make the time for dry brushing? Well, dry brushing has been around for centuries and is a practice followed by many cultures. The ancient Egyptians themselves practiced dry brushing thousands of years ago (so it must work – because they were geniuses!). Specifically, it’s believed that dry brushing can:

detoxify the body
improve circulation
remove dead skin cells through exfoliation
improve skin tone
aid in digestion
prevent and reduce cellulite
increase overall energy levels and well-being

In addition, the act of dry brushing is thought to stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps the body to eliminate toxins and pathogens that can cause illness or inflammation.

The use of an ionic body brush like the Prana Brush is thought to enhance the benefits of dry brushing.

How To Use An Ionic Dry Brush On Skin

First, I made sure to re-educate myself on the process of dry brushing, which you can read about in detail here, along with a ton of additional dry brushing info. Several things to remember about dry brushing are:

The process should be done before a shower to wash off the exfoliated skin (please note, this brush is not meant to get wet, ever!)
Always brush towards the heart. Start at your feet and work your way upwards.
Use strokes (not circular motions) and aim for 7-14 strokes per area

The copper bristles on this brush definitely had me curious as to how it would feel on my skin. They do have a bit of a scratchy feeling on the skin, so I made sure to adjust the pressure of my strokes as I moved to different areas of my body.

The sensation of these bristles on the skin is intense and it has the most amazing exfoliating effect.

I especially loved using the Prana brush on my upper arms and thighs, because it helped exfoliate the keratosis pilaris bumps I get in those areas. My arms looked ten times better after my very first dry brushing session!

The exfoliating effect left my skin way smoother and I found the Prana Brush was also great for removing any ingrown hairs.

I also appreciate the design of the brush itself; it fits perfectly in my small hands so I can get a really good grip on it. In short, the Prana Brush and I got on very well indeed!

What’s So Special About The Prana Ionic Dry Brush?

The Prana Ionic Dry Brush is not your run of the mill dry brush. It’s made with extra fine, ion-charged copper bristles that encourage negative ions to be absorbed into the skin at a faster rate, which speeds up the detoxification process.

The brush itself is stunning and handmade from high quality, sustainably harvested beechwood and finished in a natural wax. The inner oval of copper bristles is made from high quality copper alloy, while the outer ring of bristles consists of ethically sourced boar hair. Definitely not a piece that you want to store in the bottom of your bath basket, this dry brush deserves to be on display!

My Dry Brushing Routine

Step 1 – use firm pressure

For the best dry brushing benefits, try to use firm pressure that you are comfortable with. Different parts of the body will be more sensitive and therefore will require more pressure. And never use your dry brush on wet skin or in the shower – hence the name “dry brushing”. Brushing will exfoliate your skin, so it is best to do before you get into the shower so you can wash off all the dry flakes, as per Step 3.

Step 2 – start from the bottom

Just like Drake, you’re starting from the bottom and working your way up when you dry brush your skin! Start from your feet and work your way upwards, always brushing towards the heart in long, sweeping strokes.

Step 3 – rinse + moisturize

Take a warm shower to rinse off all the dead skin and be sure to add a body moisturizer to re-hydrate skin.

45+ Self Care Products To Treat Yourself To This Year

Want to treat yourself? I share a ton of self care products to keep you looking and feeling refreshed this year! They also make great gift ideas for someone seeking some TLC.